The weekend was something many people looked forward to, especially students still stuck in school. It was the only time they truly felt like they had a break, so they made sure to make the most of it. But how that time was spent varied from person to person.
For Abby, weekends meant staying at home, playing games and reading stories whenever she could. It was also the only time she allowed herself a sugar rush to satisfy her cravings. Sleep, good food, games, and ending the day with sweet treats and a movie or TV show, that was Abby's perfect weekend.
So why was she currently sitting in a coffee shop, staring out at a crowded shopping street filled with all kinds of people? The answer: her dear friend.
"Please, you have to stop pulling that face when you're with me, Abby," the woman sitting across from her said with a playful eye roll.
That woman was Cindy, Abby's best friend. Maybe even her only real-life friend. Cindy had short blonde hair and enough energy to power a small city. She loved going out, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and diving headfirst into whatever gossip was floating around that week.
Some people often wondered how the two of them were even friends. But Abby and Cindy had known each other since kindergarten, and despite being complete opposites, they genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
They never judged one another's hobbies and would even join in from time to time, just to share a laugh.
"Come on," Cindy pouted. "When we played that cooking game together, I didn't get all sulky with you!"
"That's because you were the one who got way too into it!" Abby shot back. "You were shouting orders like, 'Cut the lettuce! Cook the rice!' I mean, who even yells during a cooking game?"
"Right, right," Cindy sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "That's why I figured it was better if we headed out today instead. But I guess that's my bad. Buying clothes makes me happy, I should've picked something that makes you happy instead."
Then her tone softened. "Hey… did you really know Sam that well?"
At that moment, flashes of memory rushed through Abby's mind, Sam's terrified expression, how hesitant he'd been to tell the teacher what was going on. She still didn't understand why… and now, for this to happen to him?
She couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe she could have done more. Maybe she should've talked to Sam about what was going on… but she never did. And now, it felt surreal knowing she'd never get the chance again. He was just… gone.
"I wasn't super close with Sam," Abby admitted, her voice quiet. "But I think he was pretty close with Max."
"Oh right," Cindy said, perking up. "I forgot you and Max used to talk a lot. Didn't you two play that game together all the time?" She tapped her finger against her temple like she was trying to pull the memory out, but it never came.
"Yeah," Abby nodded. "But he hasn't been online lately, so I don't really know what's going on with him. We haven't talked much."
"Honestly, I think that might be a good thing," Cindy replied, slurping the last bit of her drink through the straw. "You heard what people are saying, right? That Sam was being bullied, and now they're saying Max is getting it too."
She leaned in a bit. "Aren't you scared? If people find out the two of you talk, what if they start targeting you as well?"
Abby didn't hesitate.
"What, so you think I should abandon someone just because of that?" she shot back. "Think about how much worse it is for them, being all alone with no one to stand by them."
"I know, I know, you like him. You don't have to keep saying it in such a roundabout way," Cindy said, waving her hand dismissively as she turned to look out the window.
Outside, a sleek yellow sports car pulled up to the curb. Its doors lifted upward like wings, and out stepped a man wearing sunglasses and a fancy white shirt that screamed money. On the other side, a woman in a bold red dress climbed out gracefully.
"You can't help who you fall for, right?" Cindy said with a wistful sigh. "But if I had one wish, it'd be to end up with someone like that. You know those stories, where the normal girl crushes on some guy and it turns out he secretly owns an entire company or is a prince of some hidden kingdom? Why can't I get that kind of luck?"
"Please," Abby said with a small eye roll. "In real life, most princes are over fifty, and if you want to talk about CEOs, they're usually even older."
Cindy stood up dramatically, clutching her heart. "Thanks for destroying my imagination. Maybe I should just do what you do, like someone just because you like them."
"Did I say I liked him? He's just a friend," Abby replied, her cheeks flushing red as she stood up quickly.
The two of them exited the coffee shop, which was connected to a large shopping mall. As they strolled through the mall, it didn't take long before Cindy made a stop at the Bannel store.
It wasn't like she could afford the bags there, especially at her age, but window shopping and dreaming were part of the experience.
Abby trailed behind as Cindy admired the displays, occasionally trying on a bag with stars in her eyes. Eventually, though, she let out a dramatic sigh and placed it back on the shelf, pouting.
"Maybe one day I'll be able to afford something like this," Cindy said wistfully.
"Oh really?" a voice came from her right.
Cindy's mouth dropped open the moment she turned to see who it was. Standing there was a tall, athletic man with a clean-cut hairstyle and a presence that seemed to light up the store. He was exactly the type of guy Cindy always dreamed about.
"Really, you'd buy this for me?" she asked, blinking in disbelief. "But it costs so much… you wouldn't just do that for free, would you?"
Immediately, Abby rushed in from the side and grabbed her friend by the arm.
"What are you doing talking to strangers?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "If some random guy's offering to buy you something that expensive, obviously he's going to want something in return."
Two of the man's friends, who were lounging on a nearby sofa inside the store, started to chuckle.
"Hey, don't take it so seriously," one of them said with an easy grin. "He's just being nice. The guy loves helping people out. To him, buying a bag like that is no different than offering someone a stick of gum."
Then he leaned in slightly and added, "That man right there? That's Donto Stern. Ever heard of them? The Stern Family?"