Frances stormed across the school courtyard with fierce purpose, her long strides echoing off the tiles as she approached the now deserted basketball court. The game had ended. The players had retreated.
Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings until they locked on the door to the boys' locker room.
Without hesitation, she yanked the door open and stepped in.
The thick air reeked of sweat, deodorant, and teenage chaos. Half-dressed boys whipped around in shock.
"Frances what the hell are you doing? Boys are dressing up here!" one of the students shouted, yanking a towel tighter around his waist.
She shot him a deadly glare, eyes narrowing like a panther ready to pounce.
"What if you are dressing up? It's not as if I would be interested in your pencil-sized penis!" she hissed.
The locker room exploded with laughter. Boys doubled over, slapping their thighs, gasping for breath. The humiliated boy flushed a deep scarlet and backed away.
Frances walked through them like she owned the place, chin lifted, black boots clicking on the tiled floor. Her eyes locked onto her target Abby, who was perched on the bench, shirt halfway off, laughing until tears welled at the corners of his eyes.
"Ain't you such a troublemaker, Big Sis. Why did you come into the boys locker room?" he teased, his grin wide.
"I came to see you."
He tilted his head, amused. "I haven't changed. You should have waited for a while."
"It can't wait at all."
She grabbed his wrist firmly and dragged him out without another word. The boys behind them whooped and whistled.
Once outside, Frances released him. Her arms folded across her chest, brows furrowed deeply, the playful gleam in her eyes gone.
Abby tilted his head again, slightly wary now. "My little big sis, what did I do wrong this time around?"
"Are you dating that lotus flower moonlight garden green tea?" she asked casually, but her tone had bite.
Abby blinked. Then boom! He burst into laughter again, nearly doubling over.
"What did you just say? Who the hell is that?"
"Georgia is the lotus flower moonlight garden green tea."
Abby snorted. "Why do you refer to her that way? I'm not dating her. Obviously, she's not my type. Moreover, I'm about to get engaged soon."
"Oh, you do remember that, right? Why do you ignore Coco and follow that Georgia around?"
"I wasn't following her around!" He frowned now, rubbing the back of his neck. "My sister left the party to sort out something, so she begged me to keep her company and I did."
Frances took a step forward, her eyes burning into him.
"You were keeping Georgia's company and left Coco to wander around alone."
"It's not that! Coco is used to my family, so she always has people to talk to. Her whole family was there as well. The whole time she was just beside my dad, talking to the guests."
"This engagement of yours, are you even interested in it at all, Abby?"
He nodded immediately. "Definitely!"
"Then why are you acting indifferent? Coco said there was no reaction from you when the engagement was announced."
"Reactions? Am I supposed to scream out?" he said, raising both eyebrows. "The engagement was already in place since a long time ago. Doing extra party is nothing new."
Frances sighed, her expression softening just a bit. "Why are you so nonchalant, Abby? Do you care about Coco's feelings? Are you keeping the engagement because of your parents or because of yourself?"
He gave her a confident look. "For myself, sure! If I'm not interested in Coco, I wouldn't settle for any damn engagement."
"Do you like her?"
"Sure!" he said, nodding with a fond grin. "She looks badass with those glasses on, it's giving innocent and hot. She would be a badass lawyer someday. She has beautiful short hair and a nice body, she has a cute attitude, and she also cares about me. Of course, I would like her."
Frances grinned and smacked the back of his head.
"What the hell!" he yelped, rubbing his skull and frowning.
"If you like her, why don't you tell her?"
"Am I not obvious enough?" he asked, clearly bewildered. "We are always together and do everything together. I wouldn't do that with someone that I don't like."
She narrowed her eyes. "Why can't you just say it, Abby? You have a nonchalant attitude, it's very bad. You didn't talk about your feelings. How do you expect Coco to just assume that you like her?"
"Ain't we dating already? I buy her gifts and do everything"
"Why are you slow, Abby? Did you confess? Did you tell her that you love her? In your mind you just assumed that she is your girlfriend? What type of bullshit is that? Now Coco thinks that you do not like her at all. That Georgia also told her that you hate her nerdy look and she should break the engagement."
Abby's jaw dropped. "What? Why would I hate her look? I love her the most!"
"Then say it! Show it! Be more affectionate. Show Coco that you love her and let everyone see that you love her."
He nodded eagerly, fired up. "What should I do then? I will go tell her right now that I like her so much. She should not listen to Georgia! she's saying nonsense." He turned to leave, his steps already springing forward.
Frances reached out and yanked him back.
"Don't make everything look boring. You should set some standards, please. Don't worry, leave everything to me. I will sort it out for you."
Abby grinned with relief. "Really?"
"Sure! Trust me. You are hopeless in romance, so I'm gonna help you out."
"Thank you so much, Big Sis! You are so sweet!" He stepped forward and attempted to hug her.
She swiftly kicked his leg. "Ouch! My leg!" he shouted, stumbling back.
"That's for making Coco cry, idiot!" She smirked, flicked her hair over her shoulder, and walked off like a boss.
Abby watched her go, still limping slightly, but now grinning from ear to ear.
After leaving the basketball court, Frances pulled out her phone and dialed a number. Her eyes darted around the empty hallway, her tone clipped but full of purpose.
"Everything needs to be ready by noon. I want it clean, classy, and loud enough to shake this school," she ordered sharply. After a pause, she nodded. "Good. I'm counting on you."
She ended the call and exhaled deeply before striding toward the principal's office. Moments later, she was seen bowing slightly, her eyes unusually soft, hands clutched together in a rare display of humility.
"Please, just extend break time by thirty minutes," she pleaded, voice warm but urgent. "It's for something really important. I promise it won't cause any trouble."
The principal gave her a skeptical look over his glasses but eventually sighed. "You owe me an explanation later, Frances."
She beamed. "Yes, sir! Thank you, thank you!"
The next day, students poured into the school, buzzing with energy. A large white event planning truck was parked by the school gate, festooned with balloons and decorative props. Whispers began to ripple across the compound.
"Did we miss a school event?"
"Maybe it's for a celebration?"
"Someone's probably filming something again…"
The truck workers moved with purpose, unloading tables, food trays, flower baskets, and sound systems.
Frances walked into the classroom late, per usual, her hair sticking to her forehead and her uniform slightly wrinkled. She carried a half-empty milk carton and slurped the rest down noisily as she dropped into her seat beside Evie.
Her face was flushed from the sun. She leaned close and whispered, her tone laced with mischief.
"How was it?"
Evie gave her a knowing smile, tilting his head with flair.
"Don't worry! 90% done! Just wait till our lesson is over then the fun can begin."
Frances exhaled in relief. "You are such a sweetheart, Evie! Thank you so much!" Her voice dripped with exaggerated sweetness as she affectionately poked his shoulder.
Moments later, she pushed back her chair with a loud screech. The class flinched as she marched to the teacher's stand, her heavy boots echoing in the classroom. Then..
BANG!
She slammed the table with both palms.
Gasps scattered across the room.
"What now?"
"Here we go again…"
Frances flipped her hair, eyes gleaming as she faced the stunned students.
"Class rep, I have an announcement. You do not mind, right?"
All heads turned to Rain, seated at the back, his brows twitching. He sighed and flicked his hand dismissively without looking at her.
She grinned wide, taking that as permission, and pulled out a small portable speaker, flicking it on dramatically.
"What is Frances up to now?" Cora whispered behind cupped hands before bursting into laughter.
Frances's voice echoed powerfully through the room:
"Today! After the lessons are over I would like everyone to be present at the basketball court to witness a beautiful union. Everyone who comes today will get a free lunch, don't thank me!"
She dropped the speaker like a mic and strutted out of the classroom, leaving the class in an uproar.
"What is going on?"
"Frances is not about to confess to a boy, is she?"
"Does Frances have any crush in school?"
"Which boy got Frances' attention? She's never dated anyone before…"
Even the quiet ones whispered among themselves, curiosity igniting the air. Lawrence turned to Evie, raising a brow in question. Evie just shrugged with a dramatic flair and smirked, as if saying "Just watch."
But at the far end of the classroom, Rain was unnaturally still. His fingers clutched his pen, knuckles pale, and his ears burned crimson. His pulse hammered in his chest.
Meanwhile, Frances walked briskly across campus to the music department, her speakers hugged to her chest like a sacred relic. The students inside were lounging, chatting, strumming guitars, and tapping piano keys.
She didn't knock.
She stormed in and went straight to the teacher's table, slamming it once again with practiced flair.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! There's a beautiful union that will take place at the football court today and I would like to invite you all. Actually everyone is invited except for one person who I came here for!"
"Who?" one of the students called out, eyebrows raised.
Frances slowly turned her speaker on again and said into it with mocking clarity:
"Lotus flower moonlight garden green tea!"
Students choked back laughter, confusion written across their faces. Then…
Georgia stood up abruptly, her expression twisted with fury.
"Frances! Who the hell are you referring to that way!"
Frances didn't even blink.
"Whoever stood up to point fingers."
Laughter exploded from the room.
"You are the only one who stood up so the name fits perfectly, Miss Green Tea."
"You!.."
"You are not invited to the union. Even if you come, I won't give you any free food. I came here specifically for you because I do not want to see you there."
Georgia's cheeks were burning. "Who wants to go to your lame union anyways! I have something more important to do!"
Frances leaned forward with a knowing smile, voice like honey laced with poison.
"Face that important thing and don't ruin my baby's union."
She winked, turned on her heel, and swaggered out of the music room, her boots echoing behind her.
Outside, Frances was grinning to herself, her steps light and triumphant.
Mission accomplished.
She hadn't come to keep Georgia away. not really.
She came to provoke her, to make sure she shows up, to make sure she witnesses the confession.
"Knowing her," Frances smirked to herself, "she'll definitely come now."
The bell rang sharply, signaling the end of class. The chatter that followed was lively, but Frances was already up on her feet, her energy sparking like a wire on fire. She leaned in toward Evie and whispered something quickly, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Evie nodded, his face brightening like a kid about to open a gift. "Mm-hmm!" he said excitedly.
The day had been strange with Frances , she'd moved like someone carrying a secret too big to hide, and even her friends were beginning to whisper amongst themselves.
She made her way to where Lawrence and Abby sat, since the two boys shared a seat and without a word, she grabbed Abby's hand and tugged him up to his feet.
"Huh? Where are we going, Big Sis?" Lawrence asked, brows raised.
"To make a confession!" Frances announced, eyes sparkling as she winked at them both.
They gasped, the words hitting them like a thunderclap. Abby's mouth dropped open, but Frances had already turned on her heel, dragging him out of the classroom, Lawrence trailing behind them.
When they arrived at the basketball court, a low murmur ran through the gathering students. The sight before them was almost surreal.
The entire court had been transformed, roses scattered across the ground, red and white balloons floating in dreamy clusters, and a plush red carpet rolled out, stretching elegantly toward a small setup that looked straight out of a fairy tale.
"Oh my God!" Abby blinked rapidly. "Frances, did you do all this?!"
"I did!" Frances said proudly, flipping her hair like a diva in a perfume commercial.
"How did you pull off all this in just one day?" Lawrence asked, staring around in awe.
"A call is all it takes," she replied, her grin smug as she handed Abby a large bouquet of roses. Nestled in the middle was a delicate silver tiara. The symbolism wasn't lost on either of them.
"Coco will get here soon," Frances said, her voice suddenly softer, more emotional. "Say everything you've bottled up. It's time." She patted Abby's shoulder gently, her eyes warm with pride.
Moments later, Evie emerged from the school building, leading Coco carefully down the steps. Her eyes were covered with a black silk blindfold, and she clutched both Evie's and Cora's hands for balance.
"Where are we going?" Coco asked in a small voice.
"Just trust us," Evie chuckled. Cora gave her a cheeky wink, despite the blindfold.
As Coco stepped onto the red carpet, whispers grew louder from the crowd gathering around. Phones were out. Eyes were wide. The soft instrumental music playing in the background made the atmosphere even more tender.
When they finally reached Abby, Evie removed the blindfold gently.
Coco blinked and gasped.
"Are you kidding me, Abby?" she cried, her eyes darting to the roses, the decorations, the crowd, and finally to him. "The union was for us?"
"Yes, baby, it is," Abby said nervously, his heart thundering so hard it shook his breath. He just stared at her, frozen.
His mouth opened… and closed again. His palms were slick. He was on the verge of short-circuiting.
"Fucking say something, Abby!" Morgan's voice rang out from the crowd, causing laughter to ripple.
Frances paced like an anxious director watching an actor freeze. With an exaggerated sigh, she marched between them and stood squarely in the middle.
"Coco said she likes you! Abby said he likes you too! I join you together in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. I am the witness to this union, and nobody dares oppose! You may recite your vows now!"
The entire crowd exploded in laughter. Students clapped and whistled.
Frances pinched Abby so hard on the arm he yelped.
"Just fucking do it!" she yelled in his ear before striding off with a mischievous grin.
"Frances is a nutcase!" Lawrence cracked up, holding his stomach.
Abby took a deep breath and slowly lowered himself to one knee, smiling up at Coco. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hands flew to her mouth in disbelief.
He began, his voice soft but full of conviction:
"Collette, I have known you since we were kids and you have always been the closest person to me: I love you as a sister, as a friend, then as a woman.
You light up my world and your little shy smile makes me feel happy more than I should be.
It was never a decision between our family but a decision between us to stay together forever.
I admired you since forever and it was never forced upon me. It was not because I'm obligated to but because you caught my heart.
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you and I never wanted anyone else.
I love you more than you imagined, Collette, and you are the only one in my vision and my mission to accomplish.
I hope you will open your heart to me and give me the opportunity to become your man.
Will you be my girlfriend, Coco?"
Coco let out a sob as happy tears streamed down her face.
"I will! Of course I will! I love you so much, Abby!" she said, her voice trembling.
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Some girls wiped away tears; some boys just shook their heads in disbelief, smiling. It was a moment out of a romantic drama, and they all knew they were witnessing something special.
Abby handed her the bouquet and opened a small necklace box, revealing a dainty silver pendant. He fastened it gently around her neck, then pulled her into a tight, protective hug.
"Awwww," a chorus echoed.
"Are they not going to kiss? It's just a hug?" Cora asked, disappointed.
"We're in school, Cora. They can't go too far with it," Morgan whispered with a laugh.
"I was looking forward to the kiss! What a loss." Cora pouted, folding her arms.
"How about you get a serious relationship, Cora?" Lawrence teased, nudging her.
"You don't have one too, idiot!"
"Many girls would be heartbroken if I get into a relationship. I don't want to be the bad guy," Lawrence said, tossing his hair dramatically.
"You're just promiscuous, that's all! How much more bad can you be!" Cora fired back, laughing.
"I love this setup so much," Morgan chimed in, spinning slowly to admire the scene. "Frances tried a lot!"
"Frances is so sweet. She planned all this overnight," Evie added.
"I should have left my confession to her. She's a good event planner. Everyone would be jealous of Coco right now."
"She's dating the school sweetheart and even got this big confession, oh my, what a dream come true!" Evie said dramatically, fanning himself.
Frances stepped into the center again, her speaker held high. She grinned wide like a proud mother at her kid's wedding.
"Thanks y'all for coming to witness the union of my friends. There's a lot of food and drinks the setup is beside the truck. Everyone can enjoy," she announced, and applause followed.
She raised one finger dramatically. "And another thing! Do not give that green tea any food. She was not invited to this party."
Her finger pointed like a laser toward Georgia, who stood awkwardly near the back. Every head turned toward her.
Georgia's face turned beet red. She clenched her fists and turned sharply, storming away with her chin held high.
"Frances really named that girl green tea? That name is gonna follow her everywhere now," Cora snickered.
The group burst into laughter again.
The music played, laughter and excited chatter filled the air. Students wandered to the food table, enjoying the festive atmosphere, while Abby and Coco sat in one corner, heads close together as they made a video call to their family.
"We're official now," Abby said proudly on the screen, Coco smiling shyly beside him.
As the afternoon faded, students slowly began to disappear back into their classrooms, still buzzing from the love-filled event they'd just witnessed.
The basketball court was scattered with rose petals and leftover laughter, an unforgettable afternoon etched in their memories forever.