Tensions and unspoken Feelings

The atmosphere among the Nine Babies wasn't the same anymore. Ever since Iris's parents had divorced, she had become distant and temperamental. Everyone understood she was going through a tough time, but her mean remarks toward Lisa were beginning to sting.

One afternoon during lunch, Lisa accidentally bumped into Iris while placing her tray on the table. Some soup splashed onto the edge of Iris's skirt.

"Watch where you're going, Lisa!" Iris snapped, her voice sharp.

Lisa froze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, Iris. I didn't mean to."

"Of course, you didn't mean to," Iris said sarcastically, glaring at her. "You're always so clumsy."

The others exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure of what to say. Rani opened her mouth to intervene, but Sakura gently placed a hand on her arm, shaking her head.

Lisa bit her lip and looked down at her tray. She didn't want to cause any more trouble. "I'll clean it up," she mumbled.

"Forget it," Iris muttered, crossing her arms. "It's not worth it." She stood up abruptly and walked away, leaving the group in awkward silence.

Later that day, Lisa sat alone in the library, replaying the incident in her head. She didn't understand why Iris was so angry with her. They used to get along so well, but ever since Iris's parents divorced, she had been lashing out at everyone—especially Lisa.

"Maybe I should just give her space," Lisa thought, but deep down, she wished Iris would talk to her instead of shutting her out.

As Lisa sat there, her thoughts drifted to Felix. She didn't want to think about him, but it was impossible not to. The memory of his cold gaze, his harsh words, and even the way he had looked driving her to school refused to leave her mind.

"Why am I feeling this way?" she whispered to herself, frustrated. Felix was rude, distant, and impossible to approach. But beneath all of that, she saw something else—a boy carrying a heavy burden, a boy who would do anything to protect his family.

Her heart ached as she thought about how hard he worked, sacrificing everything for the people he loved. Despite his cold exterior, Lisa couldn't help but admire him.

"No," she told herself firmly. "I can't feel this way about him."

But her heart didn't listen.

As Lisa walked out of the library, she bumped into Chelsea, who had been looking for her.

"There you are!" Chelsea said, smiling. But her smile faded when she saw Lisa's expression. "Hey, are you okay? You've been quiet all day."

Lisa hesitated before sighing. "It's just... Iris. And Felix."

Chelsea raised an eyebrow. "What about Felix?"

Lisa shook her head. "Nothing. Forget I said anything."

Chelsea smirked knowingly. "You like him, don't you?"

"What? No!" Lisa said quickly, her cheeks turning red.

"Come on, Lisa. I've seen the way you look at him. You can deny it all you want, but it's obvious," Chelsea teased.

Lisa groaned, covering her face with her hands. "It doesn't matter. He doesn't feel the same way, and I don't want to feel this way either."

Chelsea placed a comforting hand on Lisa's shoulder. "Feelings aren't something you can control, Lisa. But if you really like him, maybe it's worth trying to get to know him better."

Lisa gave a weak smile. "Thanks, Chelsea. I'll think about it."

Meanwhile, Iris sat alone in her room, staring at a picture of her family before the divorce. Her chest tightened as tears welled up in her eyes. She hated how things had changed.

Deep down, she knew she wasn't angry at Lisa. Lisa hadn't done anything wrong. But the pain and frustration of her parents' divorce made her lash out, and Lisa had become an easy target.

"I'll apologize," Iris whispered to herself. But for now, the words were too hard to say.

As the days went by, the tension between Lisa and Iris remained unresolved. And no matter how much Lisa tried to ignore her feelings for Felix, they only grew stronger.

Little did she know, her heart was leading her into a complicated web of emotions that would test her friendships and her courage.