Ego Check: The Game That Changes Everything Rewrite

Fayne stared at her bedroom ceiling, her thoughts swimming in circles. "I'm here, Fayne. And I want to keep being here, if that's okay with you." Sable's words echoed in her mind, as vivid now as when she first heard them. The weight of the confession, the uncertainty, and the lingering feelings—all of it seemed to lighten ever so slightly. She hadn't been rejected outright in the sense of losing Sable completely. Instead, she'd been offered a kind of middle ground. Friendship.

Even if it wasn't the dream her subconscious had conjured, it was something real. And for Fayne, it was enough.

She rolled onto her side, staring at the notebook sitting on her desk. She hadn't touched it since she got home. Not because she didn't want to, but because her feelings felt too scattered to put into words. "Maybe... I shouldn't have let myself feel this way in the first place," she thought. But deep down, she knew that wasn't true. Attraction wasn't a choice, and if it was, she would've chosen something far less complicated.

Sable's presence had always been like a whirlwind—sudden, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. Maybe it was that mystery that had drawn Fayne to her in the first place. The way Sable seemed so unshakable, so free-spirited, even when her life wasn't as straightforward as it seemed.

"Was it really her mystery that I fell for?" Fayne muttered aloud, staring at her reflection in the darkened window. "Or was it something else entirely?"

She sighed, pushing herself up from her bed and walking over to her desk. Her journal felt heavier than usual as she picked it up and flipped to a blank page. The words came slowly, but they came.

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The next day, Fayne decided to test the waters of this tentative friendship. At lunch, instead of heading to the rooftop, Sable appeared in the cafeteria. Her green eyes scanned the crowd before landing on Fayne. Fayne felt a strange flutter in her chest, but she pushed it down. This wasn't about her feelings anymore—this was about rebuilding something better.

"Hey," Sable greeted casually, sliding into the seat next to her. Leah and Mira gave her curious glances but didn't comment. Fayne was grateful for their tact.

"Hey," Fayne replied, trying to keep her voice even.

Sable smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Thought I'd try sitting with you guys for once. Hope that's cool."

Leah grinned. "Cool? It's great! Fayne's talked about you a bit, you know."

Fayne shot Leah a look, but Sable chuckled. "Has she now? Good things, I hope."

"Of course," Mira chimed in, and the tension eased into something lighter, something almost normal.

For the rest of lunch, they chatted about school, games, and random topics. Fayne found herself laughing at Sable's sharp wit and Leah's goofy remarks. For the first time in weeks, things felt... easier.

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Later that afternoon, Fayne found herself alone with Sable again, walking home together. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it was loaded with unspoken words.

"You seem lighter," Sable said, breaking the quiet.

Fayne blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Like... you're not carrying the same weight you were before. It's good to see."

Fayne smiled faintly. "I guess... getting things off your chest really does help."

Sable nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it does. And hey—if you ever feel like venting again, I'm here. I mean it."

Fayne hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks, Sable. That means a lot."

As they continued down the vibrant city street, the late afternoon sun casting warm hues over the bustling sidewalks, Fayne's curiosity began to grow. Where did Sable live, anyway? It was something she'd never thought to ask, and now that they were here, walking together like this, the question lingered at the edge of her thoughts.

They reached a corner, and Sable slowed her pace. "This is me," she said casually, jerking a thumb toward the street ahead. "Catch you later?"

Fayne nodded, watching as Sable turned to leave. But then something clicked in her mind, and she hesitated. Wait a second... isn't that the direction Raxian lives in?

Her curiosity deepened. Fayne hadn't visited Raxian's place in years—since they were kids, really—but she remembered the general area well enough. It was a district known for its upper-middle-class appeal, lined with well-maintained apartment complexes and neatly trimmed greenery. The newer high-rises boasted sleek, modern designs, while the older buildings carried a sense of character with their classic architecture and freshly painted exteriors. It wasn't extravagant, but it had a quiet charm—a neighborhood that reflected stability and comfort, fitting for a family like Raxian's, whose lifestyle was shaped by his father's steady professional achievements.

Now that she thought about it, Raxian's father's occupation had always been shrouded in mystery. Even back when their families were close, no one ever really spoke about it—not Raxian, not his mom, and not even Fayne's own parents, despite how often they'd interacted. His father was always an elusive figure, rarely seen at home. Fayne could count the number of times she'd met him on one hand, and even then, they were brief, polite encounters.

His work schedule had always seemed relentless, demanding long hours and frequent absences. Whatever he did, it must have been high-pressure—something that kept him tied up day and night. It made Fayne wonder if Raxian's upbringing had been shaped by that distance, if perhaps that was why he'd always seemed so eager to prove himself, so determined to be seen and heard. Even now, as she mulled it over, the pieces didn't quite fit together, leaving his father's work an enigma she couldn't quite solve.

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Could Sable and Raxian live in the same district? The thought was oddly fascinating. Fayne found herself wondering how close their homes were. Were they neighbors? Did they even know?

She bit her lip, debating whether to ask. But as Sable continued down the street, her confident stride unchanging, Fayne decided against it. Maybe it wasn't her place to pry. Still, the idea lingered, sparking an unexpected sense of intrigue.

As she turned to head in the opposite direction, Fayne couldn't help but smile faintly to herself. The city felt smaller somehow—interconnected in ways she hadn't fully realized. What were the odds that two of the people shaping her life right now might live so close to each other?

The thought stayed with her all the way home.

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In the days that followed, Raxian found himself more puzzled than ever. Fayne and Sable seemed to be hanging out regularly now, something he hadn't expected after everything that had happened. Sable even started sitting with Fayne, Leah, and Mira during lunch, chatting casually as if they'd been friends all along. What was going on? Had they managed to sort things out?

Fayne seemed lighter, more at ease than she'd been in weeks, and Sable—while still carrying her signature aloofness—seemed to genuinely enjoy Fayne's company. The sight of them together stirred something unfamiliar in Raxian. Was it jealousy? The feeling gnawed at him, bitter and relentless, making his earlier decision to distance himself from Sable sting even more.

Sure, he still had his own gang around—Bryce, Tess, and Marcus were always quick to pull him into conversations or drag him along for some group activity—but even they started to notice a shift in his demeanor.

"Hey, Rax," Bryce said one afternoon, nudging him during an outing at the café. "You've been weird lately. What's up? Trouble in paradise?"

"Yeah, man," Tess chimed in, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied him. "You've been quieter than usual. You, quiet? That's not normal."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his usual laid-back posture replaced by mild concern. "Come on, spill it. Something's bugging you, isn't it?"

Raxian shrugged, trying to play it off. "I'm fine. Just... been thinking about stuff, that's all."

But he wasn't fine, and they could see it. His energy was off, his usual confidence replaced by a subtle unease he couldn't seem to shake. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, the image of Fayne and Sable, laughing together, kept replaying in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if he'd made a mistake by pushing Sable away.

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The tension had been gnawing at Sable for days. Sure, things seemed to be improving with Fayne—she was glad for that—but something still felt off. She couldn't deny that she missed Raxian too. His sudden distance left a void that Sable didn't know how to fill. What puzzled her even more was that she couldn't figure out why he had pushed her away in the first place.

She had told Raze that Raxian would surely come around eventually, but the uncertainty was eating at her. She hated it. She hated not knowing. And if there was one thing Sable wasn't good at, it was sitting idly by when something bothered her.

"Rax, just talk to me already," she muttered under her breath as she opened her League client. Her cursor hovered over his profile. He was online.

She couldn't ignore the irony—she had been avoiding him too, unable to confront the uncertainty between them. Maybe it had been for the best, giving them both space to figure things out. But now, she was fed up. She didn't want to lose their friendship over something unexplained, something they could work through if only they talked.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the chat window and typed out a message.

AkarisLite: "Wrapped, what happened? Can we resolve this?"

She hesitated for a moment before hitting send, wondering if he'd ignore her or brush her off. But she was done avoiding this. It was time to get to the bottom of it, one way or another.

Raxian nearly choked on his drink when the notification popped up on his screen. Sable? Reaching out? And not just that—she was being direct. Blunt. That wasn't unusual for her, but given how things had been lately, the message still caught him off guard.

He sat there for a moment, staring at the message.

"Wrapped, what happened? Can we resolve this?"

His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his thoughts racing. Of course, she'd noticed his distance. Of course, she'd want to talk about it. That was the Sable he knew—unafraid to confront things head-on.

He leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. What could he even say? That he'd overheard something he had no business overhearing? That he felt guilty for snooping, for knowing something he shouldn't? He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling the weight of all the things he hadn't said.

Finally, he typed out a response. He hesitated before sending it, deleting and rewriting it three times before settling on something that didn't make him sound like a complete mess.

TimeWrapped: "I don't know, Sable. Things just... got complicated, I guess."

He hit send before he could second-guess himself again. His heart raced as he watched the three little dots appear, signaling her reply. He had no idea where this conversation would go, but he couldn't avoid it any longer.

Raxian's screen lit up with Sable's response almost immediately. Her words hit hard—not because they were harsh, but because they were honest.

AkarisLite: "Complicated, how? As far as I recall, nothing has happened between the two of us. We're friends now, aren't we? So act like it."

The message carried an edge, but beneath it, Rax could sense something else. Was she... hurt? Frustrated? It was rare for Sable to lay her emotions bare, even in subtle ways like this. The mention of "friendship" struck a chord with him. Maybe it was personal for her. She'd told him once how detached she usually kept herself, how hard it was for her to let people in. And now, here he was, creating distance over his own internal struggles.

He leaned back in his chair, guilt gnawing at him. Sable had a point—nothing had technically happened between them. But the weight of what he'd overheard, his own feelings of betrayal and confusion... it had complicated things. For him, at least.

He sighed, his fingers tapping idly on the desk before he started typing.

TimeWrapped: "You're right. Nothing's happened. It's just... me overthinking stuff, I guess."

He hesitated, then added another line.

TimeWrapped: "I don't want to mess this up, Sable. Our friendship, I mean. You're right—we're friends. And I need to start acting like it."

He hit send, hoping it would be enough. On the other side, Sable stared at his message, her heart a mix of relief and confusion. She didn't fully understand what had caused Raxian to pull away, but hearing him acknowledge their friendship—something she hadn't had in years—meant more than she cared to admit.

She typed back quickly, not wanting to leave him hanging.

AkarisLite: "Good. Don't overthink it. Just... don't disappear again, alright?"

The conversation ended on that note, but for both of them, it felt like a step in the right direction. For Sable, it was reassurance that building connections wasn't a lost cause. And for Raxian, it was a reminder that, even when things felt complicated, some friendships were worth fighting for.

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Sable was worth fighting for. Raxian had been the one to pursue her friendship in the first place, and he wasn't about to let it fall apart now—especially not when she seemed willing to give him a second chance. The next day, he decided to put in more effort. Seeking her out and including her again felt unfamiliar at first, given the time they'd spent apart, but slowly, the pieces started falling back into place. Their conversations picked up where they'd left off, lighthearted and easy, and even his friends began to notice the shift.

During the first break, he caught up with her in the corridor. They chatted casually, a small exchange that felt like a step in the right direction. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind him of what he'd missed about their dynamic. When the bell rang, they parted ways, and for the first time in weeks, Raxian felt lighter.

Lunch, however, was a different story. Sable already had plans—she was sitting with Fayne, Leah, and Mira at their usual table. Raxian spotted them from across the cafeteria, and as he scanned the group, Fayne's gaze suddenly locked onto his. For a fleeting moment, they exchanged a glance across the crowded room. There was no animosity in her expression, but there was something else—something he couldn't quite place. Was it acknowledgment? Challenge? It was hard to tell.

The thought gnawed at him as he sat back down with his own group. The lively atmosphere at Sable's table made him feel strangely detached. Fayne and Sable seemed to be getting along better than ever, and the energy between them was palpable. Raxian couldn't help but wonder: Were they competing for Sable's attention? The idea left a bitter taste in his mouth, though he hated to admit it.

"Sheesh, man, you okay?" Ethan asked, giving him a nudge. "You've been quiet all lunch."

Raxian forced a grin, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... tired."

But tired wasn't the right word. Torn was more like it. Watching Sable and Fayne from a distance made him realize how much he didn't want to lose his connection with either of them. He'd made the mistake of creating distance once, but now? Now he needed to figure out where he stood—before it was too late.

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As the afternoon sun dipped low and the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, the hallways buzzed with students eager to leave. Raxian made his way through the crowd, spotting Sable at her locker. She was focused, neatly packing her belongings into her bag, her usual composed demeanor masking any hint of the chaos that had been brewing between them lately.

He hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before approaching her. But just as he was about to speak, a familiar figure caught his eye—Fayne, emerging from the other side of the corridor. Her steps were quiet, almost hesitant, but the moment Sable saw her, a warm smile lit up her face.

"Hey," Sable greeted, her tone light and easy as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

Fayne offered a small nod in return, her voice soft as she replied, though the words were lost to Raxian amidst the chatter of the hallway. Without another word, the two started walking together, their pace falling into sync as they headed toward the exit.

Raxian stood frozen for a moment, the words he had planned to say caught in his throat. They hadn't even noticed him. The sight of them walking away together, their conversation seemingly effortless, left him with an odd weight in his chest.

For the first time in a while, he felt truly out of place. He'd spent so much time avoiding Sable, pushing her away, that now it felt like he was the outsider looking in. And Fayne? Seeing her with Sable, looking so at ease, only added to the pang of something he didn't quite know how to define—jealousy? Regret? Frustration?

As the pair disappeared down the hallway, their laughter faintly audible, Raxian let out a heavy sigh. The moment to speak had slipped away again, and he was left standing in the crowd, unnoticed.

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Well, whatever, at least he and Sable were cool now, right? And hey, maybe she and Fayne were still figuring things out. It wasn't his place to interfere. He'd lay low for a while, giving them space, only interacting with Sable when she seemed available.

Their interactions in League continued, but even their gaming sessions felt a little... off. Raxian couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe it was just him being overly sensitive, but the dynamic felt different. Sable wasn't distant, not outright, but there was a certain energy missing—something unspoken hanging between them.

It was during one of these matches, a tense late-game scenario where he made an uncharacteristic mistake, that his notifications pinged. After the match, Raxian saw the message waiting for him in his inbox, from a name he hadn't seen in a while: IronVanguard.

"IronVanguard: TimeWrapped, I noticed you seem a little… off. Believe it or not, but it shows in your playstyle. Everything alright?"

Raxian blinked at the message, a small wave of surprise washing over him. IronVanguard? Sable had mentioned them before—her old team's support main. They were still connected in-game, but he never thought they'd actually reach out to him. It was strange, seeing concern from someone who was more or less a stranger. Then again, maybe it wasn't so strange; the League community, competitive as it was, still had its moments of camaraderie.

He hesitated before typing back.

"TimeWrapped: Guess I've been a little distracted lately. Didn't think it'd be that noticeable. Thanks for checking in though."

The reply came quickly.

"IronVanguard: Distracted, huh? Happens to the best of us. Just don't let it mess with your confidence, yeah? You've got the skills, Time. Whatever's bugging you, it'll pass. Focus on the game—it's a good escape."

Raxian stared at the screen, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Focus on the game, huh? Maybe IronVanguard had a point. For all the personal drama swirling in his head, maybe it was time to let it go and focus on what grounded him.

After all, he still had League—and that was something he could control.

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Raxian dove back into his roots, immersing himself in League with relentless focus. Gaming sessions stretched late into the night, one after another, as though he could channel all his swirling emotions into the grind. His invites to games came in rapid succession, often catching Raze off guard.

"Hey now, we're really stretching it here. 5 a.m.?" Raze's groggy voice came through the mic. "Rax... both you and I got school in a few hours. Do you really think pulling an all-nighter is the best idea?"

Raxian shrugged it off, eyes fixed on the screen as his champion executed another flawless combo. "I'll be fine. Just one more game."

"Yeah, right. I've heard that before," Raze muttered.

But Raxian didn't budge. He had already climbed to Master tier—a feat that fueled his determination. He was growing more confident on the Rift, thriving in the challenges of high-level play. The higher the elo, the sharper the players, and the fewer mistakes were made. Every misstep felt like a death sentence. The result? Fewer deaths, fewer kills, and a grueling chess match of mechanics and decision-making. It was thrilling—and exhausting.

By morning, regret hit hard. His alarm felt like a cruel punishment, and the pounding headache wasn't helping. Raze's warnings echoed in his mind as he dragged himself out of bed.

Raze wasn't exactly in a position to judge, though. Raxian had seen him online at the oddest hours, burning through matches well past midnight. Still, he had a point—pulling an all-nighter was catching up with him, and the exhaustion gnawed at his concentration.

As he slumped through the school day, bleary-eyed and sluggish, Raxian found himself wondering if this relentless push for perfection on the Rift was worth it. He wanted to maintain his skill level, to stay sharp—but at what cost?

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Fayne couldn't help but notice the shift in Raxian's demeanor—it was hard not to. His behavior had become more erratic, like he was falling back into his old habits. Late-night gaming sessions, barely paying attention in class, and a certain heaviness about him. What was gnawing at him now?

She remembered the brief eye contact they had shared in the cafeteria not long ago. His expression had been unreadable, but something about it lingered in her mind. Oh... Sable and Raxian had been close, hadn't they? And now Fayne had budged in, stealing his friend? Was that what had him so upset?

It was possible.

But then again, it wasn't like Fayne forced Sable to spend time with her, Leah, and Mira. Sable had made that choice on her own, and Fayne couldn't deny how much it delighted her. Their time together had been natural, effortless, and… surprisingly meaningful. If it bothered Raxian so much, though, why didn't he talk to Sable about it? They were still friends, weren't they? Fayne had seen him around her locker with his group. It wasn't like they had completely drifted apart.

She sighed to herself, stirring the remnants of her drink as she sat in the school courtyard during her free period. She hated overthinking these things, but it was hard not to when Raxian's distant behavior practically screamed for attention.

"This isn't my fault," she told herself firmly. "And it's not my job to fix it."

Fayne set her drink down, folding her arms as she leaned back against the bench. She had done her part by opening up to Sable, by trying to move forward with clarity. If Raxian wanted to wallow or let himself get worked up over things, that was on him—not her. Still, there was a small part of her that couldn't quite shake the guilt.

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Jake, always the loud one and never missing an opportunity to stir things up, leaned back in his chair with a smug grin as the group gathered at their usual spot in the cafeteria. "Alright, so here's a thought," he started, gesturing dramatically with his drink as if delivering a grand proclamation. "Since our boy Rax here has been real buddy-buddy with Fayne, Mira, and Leah lately, why don't we do something about it? Let's clash groups or whatever—have a little friendly competition."

Raxian narrowed his eyes, immediately sensing the mischief behind Jake's words. "Jake, what are you even talking about?"

"Karaoke!" Jake declared, practically bouncing in his seat. "We all head out, their group, our group—come on, man, it'll be fun! A chance to, y'know, 'bond' or whatever."

The suggestion earned a mix of reactions from the table. Bryce chuckled, shaking his head. "You just want an excuse to show off your awful singing, don't you?"

"Awful?" Jake gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "I'll have you know my voice is angelic. Right, Tess?"

Tess smirked but didn't bother to hide her laughter. "Sure, Jake. Angelic."

Despite the jokes and teasing, the idea started gaining traction. Logan, one of the quieter members of Raxian's group, chimed in thoughtfully. "It's not a bad idea, actually. Karaoke's fun, and it could be cool to hang out as a bigger group."

Jake clapped his hands together, triumphant. "See? Logan gets it! Come on, Rax, don't be a buzzkill."

Raxian hesitated, glancing at Jake's expectant grin and then at the rest of the group. The idea of merging their groups for a night out felt… risky. There was still a weird tension between him, Fayne, and Sable, and throwing everyone together could either help break the ice or make things even more awkward.

But before he could voice his doubts, Ava nudged him with a sly smile. "What's the worst that could happen, Rax? Besides, it's just karaoke."

He sighed, finally relenting. "Alright, fine. But you're coordinating this, Jake."

Jake's grin widened. "Oh, you're gonna thank me for this, Rax. Mark my words."

As the conversation moved on to logistics, Raxian couldn't help but wonder how this whole karaoke clash would go down. With their groups as chaotic as they were, it was bound to be… memorable, at the very least.

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Raxian decided it was best to get ahead of the situation before Jake's loud energy turned their karaoke outing into complete chaos. If anyone could help him navigate this without losing his cool, it was Sable. She had a way of grounding him—even when she didn't realize it.

With that thought, he resolved to rein in his gaming sessions. He needed sleep if he was going to survive not only school but also a potentially awkward group hangout. After all, the last thing he wanted was to show up as a sleep-deprived zombie.

By the next morning, Jake had created a group chat and sent out the invitations. Notifications buzzed on Raxian's phone throughout the day as names started popping in. Fayne, Mira, Leah—all confirmed. Bryce, Tess, and Marcus from his crew had already joined too. But as Raxian skimmed the growing chat log, he realized something—or rather, someone—was missing.

Sable.

He frowned, wondering if she'd even gotten the notification. Knowing Jake, he might've forgotten to add her altogether. Or maybe Sable had seen the invite and decided to ignore it. Either way, he didn't want to leave things to chance.

During their lunch break, he caught up with her in the corridor. She was leaning against her locker, earbuds in and scrolling through her phone. Raxian approached cautiously, tapping her lightly on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Hey," he started as she looked up, pulling out one earbud. "Did Jake send you the invite for the karaoke thing?"

Sable blinked, her expression curious. "Karaoke thing?"

"Figures," Raxian muttered under his breath. "Jake's organizing this group outing—my friends, your friends. Kind of like a mashup. He said he sent you the invite, but maybe he forgot. Wanted to check."

Sable tilted her head, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Raxian, you're asking me about a group chat invite? That's a new one."

"Hey, I'm just making sure you don't miss it," he said, trying to play it cool. "It'd be weird without you there."

She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Weird how?"

"I don't know—just… weird," he mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious under her gaze. "Anyway, I'll send you the link if you didn't get it."

Sable chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Relax, Rax. I'll check my notifications. If Jake forgot, I'll join in. No big deal."

As she slipped her earbud back in and gave him a parting wave, Raxian felt a flicker of relief. At least now he'd done his part. Whether Sable decided to show up or not, he'd have to deal with whatever happened next.

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As Friday afternoon arrived, the buzz of excitement among the group was palpable, though Raxian couldn't shake his unease. The idea of merging their friend groups was… unusual, to say the least.

Standing near the school's main gate, he glanced around at the crowd forming. His own crew—Bryce, Marcus, Tess, Logan, Ava, Jake, and Ethan—had already assembled, their chatter and laughter filling the air. On the other side, Fayne, Mira, and Leah approached, their presence adding a new dynamic to the mix.

Raxian watched as Mira, ever the social butterfly, seamlessly struck up a conversation with Jake and Marcus, her enthusiasm matching their energy. Leah, quieter but no less friendly, found herself drawn into a conversation with Ava. The two seemed to hit it off quickly, chatting about some trending series.

Fayne, however, hung back slightly, her usual confidence subdued. She lingered on the edges of the group, her eyes scanning the scene. When her gaze met Raxian's, it lingered for a moment too long. The silent exchange between them was loaded—uncertainty, curiosity, and maybe a touch of hesitation.

Raxian shifted on his feet, unsure of what to make of it. He wanted to approach her, to say something—anything—but the timing felt off. Besides, Jake's booming voice interrupted his train of thought.

"Alright, gang! Let's grab some snacks and drinks before we hit the karaoke place," Jake announced, his usual enthusiasm contagious. "I've got a feeling tonight's gonna be legendary!"

The group began moving, their energy shifting to the promise of the evening ahead. Raxian followed, his mind still on Fayne. She walked a few steps behind the others, fiddling with the strap of her bag. It was clear she felt out of place, and for some reason, that didn't sit right with him.

As they walked down the busy streets, weaving through the crowd toward a nearby convenience store, Raxian found himself lagging behind the group. He glanced back once more, seeing Fayne's hesitation. Without overthinking it, he slowed his pace, falling into step beside her.

"Hey," he said quietly, offering a small, tentative smile. "You alright?"

Fayne looked up at him, a hint of surprise in her expression. For a moment, she seemed to weigh her response before nodding slightly. "Yeah, just... not really used to this."

"Yeah, same," Raxian admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Not sure what Jake was thinking with this whole group-clash thing."

Fayne managed a small smile at that, her tension easing just a little. "It's… different."

"Yeah," Raxian agreed, glancing at the others ahead. "But hey, maybe it won't be so bad. Karaoke's always fun, right?"

Fayne gave a soft laugh, the sound light but genuine. "Guess we'll find out."

As they reached the convenience store and the group scattered to grab their snacks, Raxian felt a flicker of relief. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.

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Raxian scanned the group as they exited the convenience store, his eyes naturally drifting to the new faces mixing with his own crew. He hadn't seen any sign of Sable so far, and a part of him wondered if she wasn't coming after all. Maybe she'd decided to bail on this impromptu "group merger" idea—it wasn't exactly her style to do big social gatherings.

But as they rounded the corner and approached the brightly lit entrance of the karaoke lounge, there she was. Sable stood near the door, leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, her usual air of cool confidence unmistakable. She was dressed in her school uniform like the rest of them, but somehow, Sable managed to make it her own. Her tie was loosely knotted, her blazer casually unbuttoned to reveal a fitted sweater underneath, and her skirt just slightly asymmetrical, giving her an effortlessly cool edge. Even her socks, scrunched down just right, and the worn-in leather boots she paired with the outfit added to her signature laid-back yet stylish vibe.

Her green eyes flickered with amusement as she spotted the group, her expression exuding her usual confidence. Even in the standard uniform, she managed to stand out without trying too hard, making the rest of them look like they were part of a standard backdrop in comparison.

"Sable!" Jake's loud greeting cut through the chatter, and the rest of the group turned to see her. "There you are! Thought you were gonna flake."

Sable raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Now, what gave you that idea?" she quipped, pushing off the wall and falling into step with the group.

Raxian felt a mixture of relief and something else—maybe nerves?—as she joined them. She gave him a brief glance, her expression unreadable, before turning her attention to Fayne, Mira, and Leah. She exchanged a few words with them, her tone light and casual, making the transition into the group seem effortless.

"So, everyone ready to embarrass themselves on stage?" Sable teased as they filed inside the karaoke lounge.

"Speak for yourself!" Jake shot back, grinning. "I've been practicing my vocals all week."

"That's terrifying," Bryce muttered, earning a laugh from the group.

As they entered the lounge, Raxian found himself sticking close to Sable, though he wasn't entirely sure why. The dynamic between her, Fayne, and the rest of the group was… interesting. He couldn't shake the feeling that something unspoken lingered between them, but he decided to push it aside for now. Tonight was about having fun, or at least trying to.

When they were led to their private karaoke room, the group quickly settled in, the atmosphere buzzing with energy. Sable slid into a seat near the corner, and Raxian instinctively took the spot beside her. The two exchanged a glance, and for the first time in weeks, Raxian felt like things between them might actually start to fall back into place.

As the first song queued up and Jake grabbed the mic, Raxian allowed himself to relax. Whatever complications lingered, tonight was a step forward—at least, he hoped it would be.

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The karaoke session kicked off with a bang as Jake confidently grabbed the microphone and strutted onto the small stage, his energy infectious. The opening notes of a well-known pop song filled the room, and Jake launched into it with enthusiasm that far outpaced his vocal ability.

"🎶 I'm a superstar! 🎶" Jake belted, completely out of tune, his voice cracking on the high notes.

Tess and Marcus, seated closest to the stage, exchanged looks, biting down on their lips to keep from laughing outright. Tess's shoulders shook as she tried to stifle a giggle, while Marcus had to cover his mouth with his hand, pretending to cough.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Jake called out mid-performance, glaring playfully at them between lines. "You're just jealous because I'm nailing this!"

"Nailing it to the wall," Marcus muttered under his breath, earning a muffled snort from Tess.

Even the others in the room couldn't help but chuckle at Jake's exaggerated theatrics. He dramatically pointed at people in the room, twirling the mic cord as if he was headlining a sold-out stadium.

By the end of the song, Jake took an exaggerated bow. "You're welcome, peasants," he declared with a smirk.

The room burst into applause and laughter, and Jake shrugged nonchalantly. "See? Angelic voice. You're all lucky to witness this greatness."

"Sure, Jake," Ava teased, rolling her eyes. "Pure angelic chaos."

The playful atmosphere set the tone for the night, one by one encouraging the others to take their turn on stage. None of them sang particularly well, but the off-key notes and exaggerated performances only added to the fun. It was exactly the kind of lighthearted energy they needed.

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They even started a drinking game—though they weren't old enough for alcohol, they used soda, juice, and other drinks they had brought along. The rules were simple: everyone had to take a sip whenever one of the following happened:

Someone sang off-key. This quickly became the most common reason for sipping, given the group's less-than-stellar vocal abilities.

A lyric was forgotten or misheard. Jake managed to butcher an entire chorus, sending everyone into fits of laughter and reaching for their drinks.

Dramatic overperformance. Anyone who exaggerated their moves—like air guitar, unnecessary mic drops, or pointing dramatically into the "crowd"—earned everyone a sip.

Someone picked a song no one else knew. Bryce's obscure indie pick baffled half the group, leading to a collective groan and a round of sipping.

A duet turned into a disaster. When Tess and Marcus attempted a duet but kept stepping on each other's lines, the group cheered and took their obligatory sip.

Anyone attempted a song with high notes and failed spectacularly. Jake was a repeat offender here, his screechy falsetto practically a guarantee.

The sips added up quickly, and by the end of the night, everyone was giddy with laughter—not from alcohol, but from pure, unfiltered fun.

-------------------------------------------------

Fayne took a deep breath as she stepped up to the stage, clutching the microphone. Mira and Leah gave her encouraging smiles, while the rest of the group watched her curiously, their chatter gradually fading into silence. She could feel their eyes on her, and the weight of their attention made her hands tremble slightly. What was the big deal, anyway?

Logan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, casting a quick glance at Ava, who gave him a knowing smirk. The memory of that choir performance years ago resurfaced in his mind, and he silently cursed himself for bringing it up. The way Tess and Marcus had run with the information didn't help either. He looked at Fayne apologetically, but she didn't seem to notice, her focus entirely on the mic in her hand.

Sable leaned toward Raxian, whispering, "What's with the buildup? Did I miss something?"

Raxian shrugged, genuinely as clueless as she was. "Beats me."

Before Sable could press him further, the music began to play. The familiar intro filled the room, and Fayne took another deep breath. As she opened her mouth to sing, the first note came out clear and steady, silencing any remaining murmurs in the room.

Her voice was rich, warm, and surprisingly powerful—completely unexpected from someone as soft-spoken as Fayne. The group exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from curiosity to awe.

Logan felt a sense of déjà vu, remembering that same captivating voice from the choir performance years ago. Back then, Fayne had held an entire audience spellbound during her solo, and now, she was doing it again. Even Jake, who had been playfully obnoxious the entire night, leaned forward, his usual smirk replaced with genuine surprise.

Sable, sitting beside Raxian, raised an eyebrow. "She's... really good."

"Yeah," Raxian murmured, his voice barely audible as he watched Fayne. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride, even if he had no reason to claim it.

As Fayne reached the chorus, her confidence seemed to grow. Her voice soared effortlessly, filling the room with a kind of magic that made the group momentarily forget they were in a small, slightly shabby karaoke booth. By the time she finished, the final note lingering in the air, there was a stunned silence.

Then, a wave of applause and cheers erupted from the group. Mira and Leah were the loudest, practically jumping out of their seats, while Jake whistled obnoxiously. Logan clapped quietly, still looking a bit guilty, but it was clear he was impressed.

Fayne stepped down from the stage, her cheeks flushed. "It wasn't that big of a deal," she said, trying to brush off the attention.

"Are you kidding?" Marcus said, still clapping. "That was amazing! How are you not, like, performing professionally or something?"

"Seriously," Sable chimed in, her usual calm demeanor replaced with genuine admiration. "That was... wow."

Fayne's blush deepened, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. For the first time in a while, she felt truly seen.

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As the group spilled out onto the dimly lit street, their laughter and chatter echoing against the quiet buildings, Sable fell into step beside Fayne. The night air was cool, and the buzz of the karaoke session still lingered. Mira and Leah had finally peeled themselves away from Fayne, their endless compliments about her singing leaving her a little flustered.

Sable glanced sideways at her, her green eyes glinting under the streetlights. "I had no idea you were such a pro on stage," she said, her tone light but genuine. "You were literally screaming stardom back there. Your voice truly is something else, you know that?"

Fayne looked down, her cheeks tinged with pink. "You're exaggerating," she mumbled, tucking a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear.

"I'm serious," Sable insisted, nudging her playfully. "You had the whole room in a trance. Even Jake shut up for once—do you know how impossible that is?"

That earned a soft laugh from Fayne. "I guess... I've just always liked singing. It's not really a big deal."

"It is a big deal," Sable said firmly, her voice softening. "Not everyone has a gift like that. You should own it."

Fayne glanced at her, her lips parting as if to respond, but she quickly looked away. It was hard to meet Sable's gaze when she was being so sincere—it made Fayne's heart race in a way she wasn't ready to acknowledge.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sounds of the city humming around them. Then Sable added, "You know, if I had half the talent you do, I'd probably be showing off everywhere."

Fayne rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Somehow, I don't think showing off is your style."

Sable smirked. "You're right—it's not. But if I had a voice like yours? Maybe I'd make an exception."

Fayne shook her head, laughing softly. "Thanks, Sable. That means a lot."

"Don't mention it," Sable replied, her smirk fading into a warm smile. "Just... don't let anyone dim that light of yours, okay? It's too bright to hide."

Fayne's chest felt warm at the words, and for the rest of the walk, she couldn't quite wipe the smile from her face.

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As they reached the point where their paths would diverge, Sable slowed her pace, glancing at Fayne with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"And hey," Sable added, her voice casual but laced with sincerity. "If you ever feel up for it, how about we have a little practice session together? Me on bass, combined with your singing—how about it?"

Fayne blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. "You'd want to do that? With me?"

Sable shrugged, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Why not? You've got the voice, and I've got the groove. Sounds like a winning combo to me."

Fayne hesitated, warmth blooming in her chest at the thought. "I don't know... I've never really done something like that before. Singing with someone else, I mean."

"All the more reason to try it," Sable said with a grin. "No pressure, though. Just think about it. It could be fun."

Fayne found herself nodding despite her nerves. "Okay... I'll think about it."

"Good," Sable said, stepping back with an easy wave. "Catch you later, superstar."

Fayne watched as Sable walked off, her usual confident stride somehow more mesmerizing under the glow of the streetlights. The thought of singing alongside her had Fayne's heart fluttering—both terrifying and exciting. She turned to head home, her mind swirling with possibilities and an unexpected surge of hope.

That's when she noticed something—or rather, someone. From the corner of her eye, Fayne spotted Raxian heading in the same direction. His pace quickened slightly, as if trying to catch up with Sable. The sight made Fayne slow down, her chest tightening as a mixture of feelings bubbled up inside her.

She told herself it was nothing. They were friends, weren't they? It was only natural for him to want to talk to Sable, to maybe patch things up after all that had happened. But still... Fayne couldn't shake the sting of jealousy that flickered in her chest.

As she watched Raxian call out to Sable and fall into step beside her, Fayne bit her lip and turned away, her footsteps echoing softly in the opposite direction. She felt silly, conflicted even. After all, she'd told herself she was ready to let go. But seeing them together like that, so easily in sync... it stirred something she wasn't quite ready to face.

Maybe this wasn't going to be as easy as she thought.