Underneath the surface

The plane landed softly on the tarmac of Barcelona's airport, and Isabellastepped off into the cool December air, her mind still swirling with thoughts of America and everything she'd left behind. The city felt different somehow, or maybe it was just her—returning with more questions than she had when she left. As she made her way to the exit, the familiar buzz of Barcelona greeted her, but it was the faces of her friends that she couldn't wait to see.

She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but the moment she stepped into the bustling student apartment she shared with her French friends, it all feltfamiliar and comforting.

They were sprawled across the couch, laughing and chatting in rapid French, gossiping about everything and nothing. There wasChloe, ever the life of the group, with her loud laugh and energy that filled the room. Behind her sat Chloe , the quiet observer who always seemed to have a knowing look in her eyes. Then there was Camille, the most serious of the group, yet still full of warmth, and, who somehow managed to combine both wit and depth into every conversation.

The moment they saw Isabella, the room shifted, the chatter dying down in a wave of excitement. They all stood up to greet her, speaking in a jumble of French as they hugged her tightly.

"Back in one piece!" Chloe exclaimed, grinning. "How was America? Was it as cold as we imagined?"

"Freezing, but beautiful," Isabella replied with a laugh. "The snow was amazing, and I had time to think... a lot of time to think."

Camille raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

Isabella hesitated, her mind wandering back to the moments in America. How she'd walked through snow-covered streets, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions she'd left behind in Barcelona.

She wasn't sure how to begin explaining the confusion she'd felt, the pull between Kian's steady, physical presence and Lucaá distant but passionate romantic gestures. Neither seemed like the right choice, and yet both of them felt so... right at the same time.

Instead of diving into her complicated emotions, Isabella smiled and shrugged. "You know, just life. Things."

Her friends exchanged knowing looks but didn't push. They had always been good about giving her space when she needed it, and Isabella appreciated that more than they realized. They were all wrapped up in their own dramas too—

Camille was navigating a difficult relationship, Chloe was dealing with her parents' high expectations, and Sophie seemed torn between her studies and an internship opportunity in Paris.

"Tell us about your trip," Camille said, turning the conversation back to the lighter topics.

"We've missed you, Isabella. You're going to have to fill us in on everything."

Isabella grinned, grateful for their distraction.

"Well, I mostly ate my weight in American pastries, and I may have gotten a bit lost in the city. But other than that, I did a lot of thinking. Like... about things."

"Things?" Camille teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Things like... people," Isabella said, feeling herself grow a little tense.

"Ah," Chloe said knowingly. "Boys?" "Well, forget about that for now. We have an exam tomorrow."

Isabella didn't reply immediately. She picked up a pillow, hugging it close to her chest, and leaned back into the couch. For now, she wasn't ready to tell them everything, not yet. Her emotions were still too raw, too tangled to put into words. It would take time to figure out how to even begin unraveling the confusion she felt about Kian and Luca.

But as they all settled back into their usual easygoing chatter, Isabella felt the weight of her own thoughts recede slightly. It was good to be home with her friends, even if the questions in her heart remained unanswered for now.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the exam. Isabella closed her notebook with a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the last few hours lift off her shoulders.

The exam had been tough, but it was over now. She quickly packed up her things, glancing down at her phone as it buzzed.

A message from Chloé popped up: "We survived! Drinks later?" Isabella smiled, feeling ready for some relaxation.

She typed a quick reply: "Yes! I'll be there."

As she zipped her bag, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning around, she saw Luca walking out of the exam room, looking a bit disheveled but still effortlessly cool. His hair was slightly messy, and his collar was askew, but
there was something endearing about the way he looked.

"Survived?" Luca asked, giving her that trademark smile of his, the one that always made her feel like everything was just a little bit lighter.

Isabella stretched her arms dramatically, pretending to be exhausted. "I think so. You?"

He ran a hand through his hair, looking thoughtful for a moment. "It wasn't easy, but I think I did okay." He leaned against the doorframe casually, holding his backpack with one hand.

"Hey, I was thinking... maybe we could grab a drink later? I could use a break after that exam."

Isabella hesitated for a second, then grinned. She'd planned to meet her friends later, but the idea of spending some more time with Luca felt like a perfect way to unwind.

"Sure," she said, her smile widening. "I could use a little distraction too."

"Awesome!" Luca beamed. "It's a date, then." He winked playfully before heading out.