𝓔𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮
ᴺᵉʷ ʸᵉᵃʳ ⁿᵉʷ ʳᵉᵃˡⁱᶻᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿˢ

Elena C🤍 ✓⃝ 16 minutes ago
🎆🎊🪩
🎵 - NIGHTS LIKE THIS - The kid Loroi

♡
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Use829
What you doing for new years
- reply
Elena C🤍✓⃝
Big party w a lot of friends 😋

Charolette 💄✓⃝
NEW YEAR NEW REALIZATIONS EWCNJSCJDDVJINEVDJB
- reply
Elena C🤍✓⃝
U. WERE RIFHT .

Use647
OOOO YES ELENAAAAA

User998
YOUR SO PRETTY

Alex A ✓⃝
we're gonna eat at this party
-reply
Elena C🤍✓⃝
YESSSZz

Amelia😍 ✓⃝
Can't wait for tonight you look stunning
- reply
Elena C🤍✓⃝
SAMEMEMMEME AND YOU ALWAYS LOOK STUNNNG

Aaron C ✓⃝
partayyyy
- reply
Elena C🤍✓⃝
Ya

User830
SHES SO PRETTY

User839
IS HER HAIR SHORTER

Madeline's house buzzed with excitement as Elena stepped inside, the warmth and music from the party immediately engulfing her.

She adjusted her dress nervously and ran a hand through her freshly cut hair.

It was shorter than she'd ever had it, and though she liked it, the unfamiliarity made her a little self-conscious.

"Elena!" Madeline's excited voice called out as she approached, her arms wide open for a hug. "Oh my gosh, your hair looks amazing!"

"Thanks," Elena said with a smile, hugging her tightly.

As she moved further into the party, she was greeted by familiar faces.

Amelia was the first to spot her, gasping dramatically. "Elena! Look at you! Who are you trying to impress tonight?"

"No one," Elena insisted, rolling her eyes, though the blush creeping up her neck betrayed her.

"Uh-huh," Alex teased, giving her an approving nod. "You're glowing. Suspicious."

Miguel appeared moments later, a plate of cookies in hand.

He looked her over, then grinned. "You know, with my haircut and now yours, we really do look like siblings."

Elena laughed, brushing his shoulder. "Guess we'll always be the Arellano siblings "

"Forever," Miguel said, raising an imaginary glass.

They chatted for a while, reminiscing about The Black Phone and teasing each other about their haircuts. "I can't believe you went for the middle part," Elena joked.

"Hey," Miguel defended, pointing to her hair. "I wasn't the only one making bold choices."

"Touché," Elena said with a grin. " it still suits you more tho "

As the night went on, Elena found herself in a comfortable rhythm with Alex, Amelia, and Miguel.

They moved through the house, catching up with other friends and helping themselves to snacks. From the corner of her eye, Elena noticed Aaron and Charolette talking near the dessert table.

Aaron leaned in closer to Charolette, saying something that made her laugh and gently nudge his arm.

He reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face, his expression softer than Elena had ever seen.

She arched an eyebrow, filing that interaction away for teasing later.

"Elena," a familiar voice called, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She turned to see Mason walking toward her with McKenna by his side.

Her heart skipped a beat as he stopped in front of her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.

"You got a haircut," Mason said, reaching out to touch a strand of her hair.

"Yeah, I did," Elena replied, watching him nervously.

"It's short," Mason remarked, letting the strand fall back into place before ruffling her hair lightly.

"It is," Elena said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"It suits you well, Star Girl," Mason said with a soft smile.

Elena felt her cheeks heat up. "Thanks mase " she mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

McKenna stood nearby, her expression unreadable but her eyes observant.

Before the moment could grow any more charged, Miguel and Jacob called Mason over from across the room.

"Duty calls," Mason said with a grin. "Catch you later, Star Girl."

As Mason walked away, McKenna turned to Elena, her expression amused. "He talks about you a lot, you know."

Elena blinked, caught off guard. "Who?"

McKenna gave her a look. "You know who."

Elena shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms. "We're just friends."

McKenna smirked, tilting her head. "I never said you weren't." With that, she turned and walked away, joining Landon in a group across the room.

Elena stood there for a moment, her mind racing.

What did McKenna mean by that? And why did it feel like everyone was noticing something about her and Mason that she couldn't—or wouldn't—acknowledge herself?

Miguel leaned against the wall, grinning as she approached. "So... you and Mason, huh?"

Elena glared at him. "Don't start."

"I'm just saying," Miguel teased.

Pushing the thought aside, she rejoined her friends, determined to focus on the party.

But the conversation with McKenna lingered in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to shake it.

As the night wore on, she couldn't help but wonder: did Mason really talk about her? And if he did... why?

— ETERNAL SUNSHINE —