A few days had passed since Ellie officially joined our little group. Every evening, after she finished her shift at the café, the three of us were already waiting for her outside, as if it had become an unspoken tradition. We had built a unique and special friendship with her, one that didn't feel forced or artificial but genuine. Ellie had that rare quality of making simple things feel meaningful. Walking through the city, sharing ice cream in the park, or simply sitting in silence watching the sunset were moments that now seemed more valuable thanks to her presence.
We also included her in our nightly routines. The famous "movie nights," where Olivia always insisted on choosing extravagant or classic French films, now had a new member who offered fresh and insightful opinions. Ellie was quiet but observant, and when she spoke, her words always carried weight. It was as if every comment she made was carefully thought out, something I deeply admired.
However, today was different. Tomorrow we would leave for Olivia's estate to spend the rest of our vacation there. The idea, obviously, had been Olivia's, who already had everything planned down to the last detail. But this time, it wouldn't just be the three of us. We wanted Ellie to come along too, and she accepted without hesitation. It wasn't hard to understand why: we had helped her younger sister, who suffered from a chronic illness, by connecting her with Sapphire Grove Hospital thanks to a call Lindsay made to her parents. Ellie thanked us deeply, and though she never explicitly said it, we knew our friendship meant a lot to her.
Olivia had also extended the invitation to Ellie's mother and younger sister, ensuring both could enjoy the tranquility of the estate once her sister's health improved. So, with everything planned, the four of us were sitting in the central square of the city, enjoying the afternoon sun and chatting animatedly.
As expected, Olivia couldn't stop talking about Lindsay's birthday. Now that Ellie was part of the group, she took every opportunity to ask for her opinions and suggestions. Though Ellie wasn't as extravagant as Olivia, her ideas were practical and well-thought-out, and Olivia enthusiastically took them into account.
"What if we hang string lights between the trees?" Ellie suggested, gesturing thoughtfully toward the sky. "They'd create a warm and cozy atmosphere, but without being too ostentatious."
Olivia nodded quickly, making a mental note.
"Exactly! And we can add small tables with scented candles. It'll be romantic but elegant. Nothing too over-the-top, of course… well, maybe a little."
Ellie smiled, clearly amused by Olivia's enthusiasm.
"Yes, but remember, Lindsay said she doesn't want anything too extravagant."
Olivia waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh, details, details. Lindsay always says that, but deep down she knows she deserves something epic."
While they discussed the birthday details, I noticed that Lindsay and I had drifted slightly to the sidelines of the conversation. Unable to resist, I leaned toward her and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. It was a spontaneous gesture, one I probably shouldn't have done at that moment, but I couldn't help myself. Lindsay smiled against my lips before slowly pulling away.
But, of course, Olivia wasn't going to let this slide.
"Oh, please!" she exclaimed, interrupting her conversation with Ellie to look at us with feigned indignation. "If Ellie gets a boyfriend at Stanford, please don't start kissing in front of me every chance you get. It's traumatic."
Ellie chuckled softly, though she shook her head.
"Don't worry, Olivia. I don't plan on looking for a boyfriend anytime soon. I'd rather focus on my studies."
Olivia raised an eyebrow, as if the idea was completely absurd.
"Oh, sure, because we all have absolute control over our lives, right? Look at Sack," she said, pointing at me with exaggerated drama. "When Lindsay met him, he was an indifferent, cold, sarcastic guy… If someone messed up their job, he'd get furious. He was basically an emotional robot."
Lindsay burst out laughing, while I pretended to cough to try to stop Olivia before she continued listing my past flaws.
"And he's still sarcastic," Olivia went on, ignoring my attempt to interrupt. "But look at him now: a kind, dedicated boyfriend, and, well, tolerable. Okay, almost tolerable."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a serious expression, though I couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Thanks for the compliments, Olivia. You really move me."
"You're welcome," she replied with a mischievous smile. "But seriously, look at how he's changed. All thanks to Lindsay, of course. She has that effect on people."
Lindsay blushed slightly, though she tried to hide it by pretending to throw an imaginary pillow at Olivia.
"I think you should stop talking about me like I'm some sort of rehabilitation project."
"Oh, come on!" Olivia retorted, laughing. "I'm saying it as a compliment. You used to be unbearable, Sack."
"That's not entirely true," I protested, though I knew there was some truth to her words.
Ellie then intervened, with a kind smile.
"Well, I think we all change over time. People aren't static. That's part of what makes relationships interesting."
Olivia looked at her curiously.
"So, do you think you'll fall in love with someone at Stanford someday?"
Ellie shook her head firmly but gently.
"I don't know. Maybe. But for now, I'd rather focus on my goals. I'll have time for that later."
Olivia sighed dramatically.
"Fine, fine. But mark my words: love always finds a way to surprise you. Look at these two," she said, pointing at Lindsay and me. "They never saw it coming."
Lindsay and I exchanged a knowing glance, unable to deny that Olivia was right. Love, in all its forms, always finds a way to appear when we least expect it.
As the conversation continued, I allowed myself to reflect on what Olivia had said. It was true that I had changed since meeting Lindsay. Before, I was someone closed off, focused solely on my goals and proving my superiority by shutting the world out. But Lindsay had taught me that there's more to life. She had shown me the importance of human connection, of being vulnerable, and of opening up to others.
And now, with Ellie becoming part of our group, I felt we were building something special. A friendship that transcended the superficial and promised to last far beyond these vacations. Olivia was right about one thing: love, in all its forms, always finds a way to surprise us. And I was grateful for it.