The Secrets We Keep

As the afternoon sunlight spilled through the windows, Harry, as always, took the lead in suggesting plans to make the most of their last free day before classes resumed. He stood dramatically in the center of the room, arms outstretched. "One more day of freedom before we're drowning in textbooks and deadlines!" he declared with theatrical flair. "We owe it to ourselves to do something fun."

Niall, lounging on the couch with a bag of chips in hand, nodded eagerly. "I'm in. What's the plan, Harry?"

Maria smiled at Harry's enthusiasm, enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere after the tension of the previous night. "Yeah, what are you thinking?" she asked.

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Louis raised an eyebrow. "Knowing Harry, it'll be something completely ridiculous."

Harry gasped in mock offense, clutching his chest. "Ridiculous? Excuse me, Louis, my plans are always well thought out and amazing." His face broke into a mischievous grin. "And today, we're going to the park! Fresh air, games, maybe a picnic. Something chill."

Maria giggled at Harry's delivery, while Niall eyed him skeptically. "The park? You? Chill? That doesn't sound right," Niall teased.

Harry pointed a finger at him. "That's because you haven't witnessed my frisbee dominance. Just wait."

An hour later, the group found themselves at a nearby park, the crisp autumn air carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves. Under the shade of a large tree, they spread out a blanket and unloaded snacks and drinks. Harry wasted no time tossing a frisbee into the air, clearly trying to impress everyone with his "skills."

Maria sat cross-legged on the blanket, sipping a soda and laughing as Harry's latest attempt at a trick throw ended with the frisbee flying wildly in the wrong direction. Louis, seated nearby with his legs stretched out, watched the scene unfold with an amused smirk.

"You just going to sit there and judge, or are you actually going to join in?" Maria asked Louis teasingly.

"I'm perfectly content judging," Louis quipped, his smirk growing. "But if you want, I could show Harry how it's really done."

"Oi!" Harry called out, pointing at Louis. "Big talk for someone who hasn't even gotten off the blanket."

Louis chuckled, finally pushing himself to his feet. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

Maria watched as Louis and Harry began tossing the frisbee back and forth, their playful banter filling the air. Niall shifted closer to her on the blanket, grinning. "This is nice, isn't it?" he said softly.

Maria nodded, smiling at the scene before her. "Yeah, it is. Just what we needed."

The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, games, and shared stories. The tension from the previous night seemed to fade, replaced by the joy of simply being together. But every so often, Maria caught Louis's eye, and in those fleeting moments, the unspoken connection between them resurfaced, as strong and undeniable as ever.

By the time they returned home, the sun had set, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. They said their goodbyes, each retreating to their respective dorms. Maria entered her room, the quiet calm wrapping around her like a blanket.

She sat cross-legged on her bed, the soft glow of her bedside lamp casting a warm light across the room. Her thoughts drifted to the park—the laughter, the crisp air, the way Louis's smile had lingered just a little longer than necessary. She couldn't shake the warmth in her chest, a mix of contentment and something deeper she couldn't quite name.

Pulling out her planner, she flipped through the pages, noting her upcoming deadlines and a countdown she'd marked for Christmas break. "Just a few more weeks," she murmured to herself. "I can handle this."

Before turning off her lamp, Maria picked up her phone and sent a quick text to Niall.

Maria: Thanks for today. I really needed it.

She smiled as his reply came almost instantly.

Niall: Anytime, love. You're the best company.

Maria hesitated for a moment before opening her chat with Louis.

Maria: Thanks for today, Louis. I had a great time.

Placing her phone on the nightstand, she lay back against her pillows, staring up at the ceiling. Her thoughts wandered to Louis—his easy smile, his quiet humor, and the way he seemed to look at her as if she were the only person in the world. She felt the weight of the unspoken moments between them but pushed it aside for now.

Tomorrow would bring the demands of classes and assignments, but tonight, she let herself bask in the simple joy of the day. Slowly, her eyes drifted shut, her heart a little lighter as sleep overtook her.