The school courtyard buzzed with excitement — strings of fairy lights, colorful stalls, music echoing from every corner. It was the annual Spring Festival, and the whole campus shimmered with life.
Suzanne twirled in her light blue dress, the hem brushing her knees. "Do I look like a walking sky?" she asked, turning to Lena.
Lena grinned. "More like a daydream come to life."
Ryan, passing by with a basket of props, stopped in his tracks.
"You look…" he started, then paused, smiling awkwardly. "... like you're about to make every other booth jealous."
Suzanne laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Smooth, Ryan. Very smooth."
"Hey, I'm honest," he said, shrugging. "It's a problem."
---
The day unfolded in laughter.
They ran the "Ring Toss" stall together — Suzanne handling the prizes, Ryan managing the chaos.
"Three rings for ten rupees!" Suzanne called out, her voice bright.
"Win and you get a free smile from her!" Ryan added.
"Ryan!" she exclaimed, throwing a plush toy at him.
He caught it easily. "What? It's the truth."
Their laughter drew people in more than the game itself.
---
By noon, music filled the air — the stage alive with performances. Suzanne's class was performing a short skit, and though she felt a bit dizzy, she insisted on going through with it.
Backstage, Ryan found her holding her side, breathing slowly.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah," she whispered. "Just nerves."
He handed her a small bottle of water. "Then take a sip. You've got this, superstar."
When her turn came, she stepped on stage, her voice clear and bright. The crowd cheered as she delivered her lines flawlessly, her smile lighting up every corner of the hall.
Ryan stood in the back, clapping louder than anyone — pride and worry tangled inside him.
---
After the performance, she found him by the lemonade stand.
"Well?" she asked.
"You were incredible," he said softly. "You always are."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The sounds of laughter and music blurred around them, fading into the background.
Then Suzanne looked up at him, eyes sparkling. "Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"If… someday I can't smile, you'll do it for me."
He froze. "You'll never stop smiling, Su."
She smiled sadly. "Just promise."
Ryan looked at her for a long moment, then nodded.
"I promise."
---
As evening fell, fireworks lit up the sky — golden, violet, red. Suzanne's laughter mingled with the sound of crackling light.
But when Ryan glanced at her, he caught the faintest wince as she touched her temple, the color draining from her face.
"Hey," he said quickly, "are you okay?"
She forced a smile. "Just tired. I'll be fine."
But as the fireworks bloomed above them, her knees wobbled slightly — and Ryan reached out, catching her before she could fall.
---