It was late September, and the air outside the studio carried the first cool whispers of autumn. Inside, however, warmth and laughter filled the room as War in the Hell's members gathered in their usual chaos. They had returned to their studio a week after their powerful performance in Columbia, which had left them both exhilarated and exhausted. The last few days had been packed with rehearsals and discussions, but today's focus had shifted entirely.

Mark's birthday was just two days away, and the bandmates were embroiled in a spirited debate over how to make it an unforgettable celebration. The studio, with its mix of scattered guitar cases, empty coffee cups, and sheet music crumpled on the floor, buzzed with energy as Jeremy, Edward, Josh, Nicole, and Nalani hashed out their plans.

Jeremy was sprawled on the floor, scribbling wild ideas in a notebook as Edward leaned over, pointing and arguing about the best ones. "No, we need something big," Edward said, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Something he'll remember forever."

Josh lounged against the couch, a devilish grin plastered on his face. "I'm telling you, a six-foot cake that explodes with confetti is the way to go. No one expects the cake to fight back."

Nicole, rolling her eyes, pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "Josh, we're not trying to give Mark a heart attack. Let's stick to something he won't run away from."

Nalani sat quietly on the edge of the couch, her eyes unfocused. The laughter and jokes of her friends swirled around her, blending into a background hum that barely registered. She tried to follow along, but her thoughts kept slipping away, back to the confusion she had been wrestling with since Columbia. Noah's words had echoed in her mind for days, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake them.

A week had passed since the confrontation, yet the storm of emotions it had left behind refused to settle. Part of her longed to believe there was truth in what he'd said—that there was more to the moments they shared, the looks that lingered, and the tension that flared between them. But a louder, more cautious part reminded her of the times he'd been cold, the way he masked his feelings behind sharp words and distance. Hope, she reminded herself, was dangerous.

"Nalani?" Nicole's voice cut through her reverie, and Nalani blinked, snapping back to the present. Nicole's eyes were soft with concern, her smile fading as she stepped closer. "You've been quiet. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Nalani replied automatically, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Are you zoning out because of the ridiculous birthday ideas or because Josh is actually making sense for once?" Edward teased, tossing a crumpled sheet of paper at Josh, who dodged it and shot back with a laugh.

Josh's grin widened. "You know I'm always full of good ideas, Ed. You guys just don't recognize brilliance when you see it."

The room filled with laughter again, even Nicole breaking into a chuckle. But Nalani's heart wasn't in it. She wanted to feel the joy, to join in the laughter and teasing, but the weight in her chest made it impossible. She traced the edge of the couch with her fingertips, trying to ground herself, but every moment of silence brought Noah's voice back into sharp focus.

Jeremy, noticing Nalani's distant expression, called out, "Hey, Nalani, what's your vote? Surprise party or Josh's confetti monstrosity?"

Nalani looked up, meeting his gaze and the expectant faces of her bandmates. Forcing herself to push past the ache, she managed a genuine-sounding laugh. "Definitely the confetti monstrosity," she said, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. "Mark wouldn't see it coming."

The room erupted into cheers, Josh pumping his fist in triumph. The noise and lighthearted energy swept through the space, and for a moment, Nalani let herself sink into it, if only to keep the uncertainty at bay. But even as the conversation grew more chaotic, her mind wandered back to that night in Columbia, to the storm in Noah's eyes and the battle between hope and fear that still raged within her.

Outside the studio, the world carried on, oblivious to the turmoil in her heart.

Mark's birthday arrived with an electric anticipation buzzing through the air. The bandmates had spent the last two days meticulously planning every detail, ensuring their manager's surprise would be both unforgettable and, as Josh insisted, "epically chaotic." The studio had been transformed into a makeshift party venue, filled with streamers, balloons, and an absurd amount of confetti cannons hidden in strategic spots.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of deep purple and orange, Mark arrived at the studio under the guise of a last-minute meeting. The bandmates and Nicole exchanged knowing glances as they hid behind the equipment, stifling giggles and trying to stay silent.

The door creaked open, and Mark's puzzled voice echoed through the room. "Hello? Is anyone here? I thought we—"

Before he could finish, the lights flickered on, and the band leaped out from their hiding spots. "Surprise!" they shouted in unison, their voices bouncing off the walls. The room exploded with sound and color as the confetti cannons went off, raining down a storm of multicolored paper bits.

Mark jumped, eyes wide in shock before breaking into a grin. "You guys!" he laughed, shaking his head as confetti stuck to his hair and shoulders. "I should've known."

Jeremy came up, patting Mark on the back. "Happy birthday, old man. We thought you needed a reminder of how young you still are," he joked.

"Or how unprepared you are for battle," Josh chimed in, holding a smaller party popper and setting it off with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. The sudden bang sent a burst of silver confetti into Mark's face, earning groans and laughter from everyone.

The celebration was wild, just as they had planned. Someone had turned on the stereo, and rock music blared through the speakers, adding to the mayhem. Nicole brought out a cake with sparklers instead of candles, and everyone gathered around as Mark attempted to blow them out, only for the sparklers to sputter back to life.

"Seriously?" Mark raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance while suppressing a grin.

"It's all part of the experience," Edward said, winking.

The room buzzed with laughter and chatter. Drinks were passed around, and someone—most likely Josh—had hidden small party favors that popped when stepped on, creating an ongoing symphony of startled yelps and laughter. It was chaotic, but it was perfect.

Amidst the celebration, Nalani found herself watching from the sidelines, a soft smile playing on her lips as she sipped from her cup. The atmosphere was infectious, and for the first time in weeks, she felt the tightness in her chest begin to ease. There was something comforting about being surrounded by the people who had become her second family, sharing in their joy and silliness.

But beneath the laughter, the ache she carried lingered, a subtle reminder that not everything was as carefree as it seemed. It was a familiar pull now, a reminder of the words that had been said, the truths she wasn't ready to confront.

"Earth to Nalani," Josh's voice cut through her thoughts, drawing her attention back. He leaned against the table beside her, eyes twinkling. "You're not zoning out again, are you? Or are you trying to avoid getting hit by another confetti bomb?"

She chuckled, the sound genuine this time. "Just taking it all in. You did a good job, you know. The chaos suits Mark."

Josh puffed his chest in mock pride. "Of course, it does. Chaos is my specialty."

"Don't let him take all the credit," Nicole called over, balancing a tray of snacks. "We kept him from turning it into an actual war zone."

Edward joined in, throwing an arm around Nicole's shoulders. "But only barely."

They all laughed, even Mark, who was still shaking confetti out of his hair. For a moment, it was just them, the closeness of friends who had been through thick and thin, holding each other up even when things threatened to fall apart.

As the night wore on, the noise began to mellow. Stories and jokes were shared as they lounged around the room, the rush of adrenaline settling into a comfortable hum. Mark sat at the center, eyes glistening as he looked around at his band and the friends who had made his birthday unforgettable.

"Thank you," he said, voice softer, more genuine than they were used to hearing. "For everything. You guys mean more to me than you'll ever know."

Jeremy raised his cup in a toast. "To Mark—the best manager, and the only one crazy enough to put up with us."

They all raised their drinks, laughter bubbling up again as the clink of cups echoed through the room. And for a while, amidst the celebration and shared smiles, the weight in Nalani's chest lightened, if only just a little.