STRANGERS TURN FRIENDS**
School had already begun, and somehow, Amara was starting to find her rhythm.
Between classes, the fast city life, and the weight of being far from everything she knew, it could still feel overwhelming. But she was adjusting bit by bit.
Her biggest comfort in this new life wasn't even Kai or Ethan.
It was Jane Everton
Amara had met Jane during her first week on campus. And from their very first conversation, it was like the universe had decided they were meant to stick together.
Jane was impossible to ignore—bold, fearless, and unapologetically herself. She had a sharp tongue, a loud laugh, and a wild streak that kept everyone around her on their toes. She said whatever came to her mind, never held back, and somehow still managed to make everyone love her for it.
Where Amara was cautious and quiet, Jane was fire. And for reasons Amara couldn't fully explain, it made sense between them.
They were inseparable now—more than classmates, more than friends. Jane was her anchor here.
Bella Wang, another girl from their class, was also part of their circle—soft-spoken, gentle, and sweet, with a quiet elegance about her. Amara liked Bella well enough. She was easy to talk to, always polite and kind. But it was Jane who knew her deepest secrets and laughed the loudest beside her.
---
That Friday evening, after their last lecture, Jane threw an arm around Amara's shoulders as they walked out of class.
"Babes," Jane grinned, her dark curls bouncing with every step, "tonight, we're going out. No debates."
Amara groaned, though she couldn't hide her smile. "I'm tired, Jane."
"You're always tired. That's your excuse for everything," Jane scoffed playfully. "I need you out tonight. And you're bringing those mysterious housemates of yours."
Amara chuckled. "Kai and Ethan? Why?"
"Because I need to judge them with my own eyes," Jane said dramatically. "You've been hiding them for too long."
Amara rolled her eyes but laughed, knowing there was no way out.
Jane smirked. "Fred and Bella are coming too. We're going to that rooftop spot I told you about. Six of us. It'll be fun."
Jane's boyfriend, Fred Smith, was Scottish tall and broad-shouldered, with messy blond hair, a sharp jawline, and a playful charm that softened his rough edges. He and Jane were the classic case of opposites attracting, but somehow it worked.
Bella, with her Chinese-American roots, had a quieter glow. She was graceful, her features soft and delicate, her dark waves framing her face in a calm elegance.
---
Later that evening, Amara stood by the campus gates with Kai and Ethan, waiting for Jane and the others.
"They're… loud," she warned lightly.
Ethan's grin widened. "Sounds like my kind of people."
Kai said nothing, standing calmly beside them, hands tucked into his pockets.
Soon, Jane appeared—leading Fred and Bella toward them like she owned the street.
"There they are!" Jane beamed, dragging Fred along. Her cropped leather jacket, red satin camisole, ripped jeans, and chunky boots made her look like she'd stepped off a fashion magazine cover—but with far more attitude.
Fred walked at her side, casually dressed in a dark green sweater and black jeans, offering a friendly wave.
Bella followed, soft and radiant in an oversized cream sweater tucked into a flowing beige skirt, her white sneakers adding a youthful charm.
Jane's sharp eyes immediately sized up Ethan and Kai.
"Well, well," she teased, nudging Amara. "You weren't lying. They're easy on the eyes."
"Jane," Amara muttered, half-laughing.
Jane stuck out her hand toward Ethan first. "You're the fun one, right?"
Ethan grinned, taking her hand with a playful shake. "That's me."
Her gaze shifted to Kai, eyes narrowing with playful curiosity. "And you're the serious one."
Kai's face stayed unreadable, but he nodded slightly. "So they say."
Fred chuckled from beside her. "She collects quiet people like souvenirs."
Everyone laughed as they all fell into easy conversation.
---
The rooftop café was cozy, lined with string lights that cast a soft golden glow over the wooden tables. The skyline shimmered beyond them, the city alive but distant from up here.
"First round's on me," Fred offered, grabbing a menu.
"You're just showing off because you got paid today," Jane teased.
Fred laughed. "Still counts."
As drinks arrived, Bella leaned in, her voice soft but curious.
"So… why did everyone come to China? It's not exactly a common move."
Jane grinned, swirling her drink. "I needed a new playground. Somewhere wilder, somewhere louder. And I wanted a place where nobody knew me."
She glanced at Fred, smirking. "Then I met this guy."
Fred chuckled. "I just wanted to escape the cold back home," he said. "Adventure sounded better than routine."
Bella smiled warmly. "I wanted to connect with my roots. My mom's from here, and my dad's American. I felt like I was always stuck in between."
Ethan leaned back, grinning. "I came here for architecture. Fast city, crazy food, beautiful chaos—my kind of place."
Jane tilted her head, intrigued. "So, you're an architect?"
"Graduated already," Ethan said. "Still here working—and eating."
Her gaze turned to Kai. "And you?"
Kai's voice was steady. "Same. Architecture. Stayed for work—business firm and construction projects."
Bella's brows lifted, impressed. "Two jobs?"
Kai simply replied, "It keeps me focused."
Jane laughed. "You're like a walking schedule."
Ethan grinned. "Trust me. He is."
Their table erupted with laughter again, the night easing into comfort and jokes.
---
Later, as they all walked back, Jane leaned in toward Amara, whispering with a wicked grin.
"You weren't joking," she said softly, glancing at Kai. "He's dangerous."
Amara blinked, confused. "Dangerous?"
Jane's grin widened, eyes twinkling. "Quiet ones always are."
---
That night, the apartment was calm again.
Amara had fallen asleep almost the moment she stepped inside, leaving her door slightly ajar as soft breaths filled her room.
Kai and Ethan sat in the living room, controllers in hand, deep in their usual late-night FIFA match.
"Bro, I swear—" Ethan groaned, furiously jamming buttons as Kai's player stole the ball and made a break toward the goal.
Before Ethan could recover, the screen flashed with another goal.
"Ahhh! Again?!" Ethan cried, collapsing into the couch, groaning dramatically.
Kai laughed—deep, warm, and surprisingly free—his calm exterior breaking for a rare moment of open amusement.
"You're too reckless," Kai said, chuckling as he set his controller down.
"You're too cold," Ethan shot back, laughing too. "You're like ice, bro. No mercy."
Kai's faint smirk lingered as they both relaxed, the tension from the game giving way to an easy, brotherly quiet.
Then Ethan's eyes flicked toward him, his grin slowly returning—this time with mischief.
"You know," Ethan started casually, "it's funny how you can destroy me in FIFA but freeze up around Amara."
Kai's slight smile faded, though he didn't look away.
"Oh, don't play dumb," Ethan said, nudging him with his foot. "I've seen the way you look at her Kai."
Kai didn't reply, but his fingers gripped the controller a bit tighter.
"She's beautiful," Ethan went on, his tone softening a bit. "Sharp, too. Stubborn, but… in a good way. She's got fire. You don't meet girls like that every day."
Still, Kai remained silent.
Ethan grinned wider. "I'm telling you, man. If you're interested, just go for it. You're both grown."
Kai's voice finally came, quiet but firm. "It's not that simple."
Ethan raised a brow, intrigued. "Why not?"
Kai's gaze drifted toward the hallway, his face unreadable. "Some things are better left alone."
Ethan let out a soft whistle. "You always make life sound like a war strategy."
Then he chuckled, leaning back again. "But hey—while you're overthinking, I gotta say… Bella though."
Kai glanced at him, amused.
"What?" Ethan shrugged, laughing. "She's cute. Quiet girls always surprise you. I wouldn't mind getting to know her better."
Kai's faint smirk returned. "You just like trouble."
Ethan laughed. "And you pretend you don't."
Their laughter filled the room again, the city lights outside twinkling in the dark as the night stretched on—two men caught between playful jokes and unspoken truths.
But even as they started another round, Kai's thoughts weren't really on the game anymore.
And neither were Ethan's.