Diffuse Reflection

Tuesday.


February 11th.

It was one of those strange in-between days, quiet, unassuming, the kind you forget unless something unexpected happens. And on this particular Tuesday, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the floor beside Kira and Oberon. There wasn’t any grand reason behind it, just that Kira needed help with the upcoming Festival, and we happened to be nearby.

Originally, Oberon and I had no plans to get involved. We were content to let things unfold without us. But then Kira brought it up, how she felt obligated to help, especially given her status as a model student. The pressure of expectations, always hanging over her like a cloud. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was sympathy. But something about the way she said it made us pause. It felt wrong to let her handle it all alone. So, in the end, we stayed. If nothing else, we could help speed up the process.

We had fallen into a comfortable rhythm, cutting, folding, assembling, when Oberon broke the silence.

“What's stopping you?”

His voice was casual but pointed, and it caught both Kira and me off guard. I looked up, only to find his eyes already on me, steady and unreadable.

“What's stopping me?” I echoed, unsure of where he was going with this.

“From seeing Anon again.”

The name hit harder than expected, though I didn’t show it. A beat passed. Maybe two.

“...”

Oberon leaned back slightly, shifting his focus back to the decorations we were working on, as if giving me space to process the question.

“I don't mean to put you on the spot,” he added, softer this time. “I was just curious. It's not like we really knew him well. But you did. And it’s clear neither of you ever talked much about what happened…so I guess I just wondered. What’s keeping you from reaching out?”

Kira's gaze flickered between us, unsure whether to jump in or stay silent. I stayed quiet for a moment, gathering my thoughts, searching for something that resembled a clear answer. But the truth was simple.

“I don’t know.”

It slipped out before I could dress it up. Honest. Plain. Confusing.

Both of them paused, their expressions somewhere between puzzled and concerned. I felt the need to elaborate, to soften the ambiguity.

“I guess…I’m just not in any rush,” I continued, voice a little steadier. “It’s not like my feelings have been stuck in place. I haven’t been dwelling on it, and I doubt he has either. I just think…if something’s meant to happen, it will. No point forcing it, right?”

I offered them a small, almost apologetic smile, then looked back down at the paper decorations, folding another corner in silence.

Oberon gave a quiet nod.

“I see.”

Kira tilted her head thoughtfully before giving a gentle smile.

“Makes sense. Star-crossed lovers, just waiting for the right time.”

I let out a light chuckle.

“Not sure that’s exactly how I’d phrase it, but…sure. Let’s go with that.”

And just like that, the conversation melted back into the quiet hum of the Festival preparations. But something about Oberon’s question lingered, trailing behind like a shadow I hadn’t noticed until now.

When the Festival finally ends, I think I’ll talk to Mom and Dad about love.

It’s not something I’d usually bring up, but lately…it feels like the right time. Maybe it’s the season. Or maybe it’s just that I’ve been thinking about Anon more than I’d care to admit. The conversation from earlier in the morning echoed in my mind like a quiet replay.

Yeah…I have a feeling they already know something’s up.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad spilled the beans about Anon to Mom. He’s never been great at keeping secrets when it comes to stuff like this. His definition of “subtle” is practically nonexistent.

“Do you know if the Festival is open to families?” I asked, mostly out of curiosity. Partly out of a tiny hope.

Kira glanced up from the supplies she was sorting.

“There’s no real reason it wouldn’t be. It’s kind of meant to be a school-wide celebration, so I’d assume families are welcome.”

“Then I guess it’ll get a little crowded when the day finally comes.”

“Probably,” she agreed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Our school isn’t exactly built for huge events, but we always manage.”

I nodded, half-listening as another thought tugged at me.

I wonder if Anon will show up?

The idea of seeing him there, amid the colorful booths, the laughter, the chaos, wasn’t something I could shake off. But even more puzzling was the question that followed.

That thought alone almost made me laugh. “Hey Mom, Dad, this is Anon—my possibly-more-than-a-friend who may or may not be from a different universe.” Yeah, no. Future me can handle that mess.

Haven’t I had a similar thought before?

Still, a warm feeling bubbled up at the thought. Somehow, I think they’ll welcome him. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. They’d see what I see. They’d understand.

A grin spread across my face without me even realizing, and Kira noticed right away.

“What’s got you all gaga over there?” she teased, nudging me lightly with her elbow.

“Just thinking about my family,” I said, trying to downplay the swirl of emotions behind the smile.

Only three more days until Valentine’s Day.

Three days until the festival.

Three days until something, anything, might finally happen.

Three days until I find out if fate’s really been listening all along.

…

…

…

“Wait a minute!” I suddenly blurted out, sitting up straighter like I’d just uncovered a conspiracy.

“What’s wrong?” Kira jumped, eyes wide at my outburst.

I pointed an accusatory finger into the air like a lawyer in an over-the-top courtroom drama.

“The chapter hasn’t even hit 1,000 words and it’s already wrapping up! That’s illegal!”

Kira blinked. “Well, excuse me for trying to maintain a schedule. You know how hard it is being forced to churn out chapters every other day?” She threw her hands up, exasperated but clearly used to this chaos. “Besides, we already got your POV in.”

“What about Oberon?!” I spun dramatically to face him, arm outstretched like I was summoning a spirit. “He’s been quiet this whole time!”

Oberon didn’t even flinch. Just calmly continued folding up pieces of the display before slowly, very slowly, lifting his head. He let out a huge yawn, like he’d just returned from a nap mid-scene.

“I tried listening for a change of pace.” His voice was flat, like this entire conversation was background noise to him.

“And? How’d that go?” Kira asked, clearly skeptical.

He shrugged.

“Boring.”

“I get that,” I nodded solemnly, as if we were two sages exchanging ancient wisdom. “I feel like I need to talk about something. Anything. Otherwise, I start overthinking my own existence.”

“Exactly!” Kira snapped her fingers. “If it weren’t for me being tired 24/7, I’d probably be unstoppable. Do you realize the amount of chaos I could unleash if I had even six hours of consistent sleep?”

“Yapper girlfriend and listener boyfriend dynamic,” I said thoughtfully, before gesturing at her with my pencil. “Or reversed, if it’s your turn to monologue.”

Without a word, Oberon and I shared a knowing glance, the type that only two deadbeat geniuses could ever understand. Then we leaned in at the same time and pulled off the most immaculate, spiritually synchronized dap up ever recorded among losers.

Somewhere, the universe shuddered from the sheer power of our combined slacker energy.