Kai & Raven

Graduation was just a few days away, and the excitement was contagious. Soph and I decided to hit the mall, dragging Val and Juls along. We needed outfits that would leave a lasting impression, and Soph claimed she'd been dreaming about the perfect pendant for months.

"I'm telling you, we have to start at Cartier," Soph said as she scrolled through her phone.

"Why are you obsessed with the most expensive things?" I teased, bumping her shoulder.

"Because I have taste," she shot back with a smirk.

The mall was alive with energy, and the stores glittered with possibilities. Valentina led the way, already pointing out dresses and accessories that screamed elegance. Julian, ever the diva, was more invested than the rest of us.

"This one," he declared, holding up a sleek black gown for me.

I eyed it critically. "I don't know, Julian. It looks like something a villain would wear."

"Exactly," he said, winking. "It's perfect for you."

We all laughed, the tension from the past few days melting away as we moved from store to store. It was one of those rare moments when everything felt normal—no drama, no stress, just us being ourselves.

In one of the jewelry stores, I spotted a simple yet beautiful pendant. It was silver with a small sapphire in the center, understated but elegant.

"This is perfect for you," I said, holding it up to Sophia.

She blinked, surprised. "For me?"

"Consider it an early graduation gift," I said with a cheeky grin.

Sophia hugged me tightly. "You're the best, Raven."

"I know," I said, laughing.

We were heading to the next store when I felt it—that familiar, unsettling sensation of being watched. I turned, and there he was.

The man from the elevator.

He was standing a few feet away, his sharp features calm but his dark eyes locked on me. He looked different in the daylight, less intimidating but no less magnificent and breath taking .

"Raven, are you coming?" Valentina called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah," I said quickly, turning away and following my friends. But I could still feel his gaze, and it left me both intrigued and uneasy.

Our next stop was the tattoo parlor. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it felt right.

"We need something to remember each other by," Sophia said as we flipped through designs.

"Agreed," Valentina added.

We all settled on a small, matching tattoo—a crescent moon with a tiny star beside it, placed discreetly on our wrists. The artist worked quickly, and when it was done, we admired our new ink with pride.

"It's perfect," Julian said, running a finger over the fresh tattoo.

"For once, I agree with you," I said, smirking.

Our final stop was the spa. Graduation was coming, and we were determined to look our best.

The next few hours were a blur of massages, facials, and endless pampering. Sophia got her nails done in a soft pink, while Valentina opted for a bold red. Julian insisted on trying every treatment available, and his running commentary kept us laughing the entire time.

By the time we left, we were all glowing—literally and figuratively.

"This was the best day ever," Sophia said as we walked out into the evening air.

I nodded, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "It really was."

But in the back of my mind, I couldn't stop thinking about the man from the elevator. Who was he, and why did he keep appearing in my life?

593 words