Chapter 17
Isabella Langley hurried down the stairs.
The familiar black sports car was parked outside the school gate.
Ethan Roscente leaned against the car door.
He wore a beige sweatshirt under a dark gray trench coat.
Black athletic pants accentuated his long legs.
He exuded a youthful, refreshing aura.
Passing girls couldn't help but glance his way.
He checked his watch for the third time.
His brow furrowed slightly.
They had agreed to meet at ten.
It was already five minutes past.
He pulled out his phone to call.
Suddenly, someone hugged him from behind.
A girl's sweet, fresh scent washed over him.
Isabella Langley stood on her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Her voice was soft and sugary. "Have you been waiting long?"
"You're late."
Ethan Roscente gave her a brief glance.
His hands remained in his pockets.
"I'll be on time next time, I promise!"
Isabella Langley secretly studied his expression.
She relaxed only when she saw he wasn't angry.
"Get in the car."
Ethan Roscente opened the passenger door.
Isabella Langley happily slid into the seat.
She chattered nonstop during the drive.
Ethan Roscente focused on the road.
He offered occasional, brief replies.
At a red light, she looked out the window.
A giant LED screen displayed an ad for Universal Studios Hollywood.
Her eyes lit up.
She gently tugged his sleeve.
"Can we go to Universal Studios?"
"Whatever you want."
Ethan Roscente turned the steering wheel.
He casually handed her a luxury shopping bag.
"Your birthday gift."
Isabella Langley opened the box and gasped.
"The limited edition C bracelet!"
She eagerly slipped it onto her wrist.
The shell design was encrusted with tiny diamonds.
It sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
She waved her wrist in front of him.
"Isn't it beautiful? How did you know I wanted this..."
Her voice dripped with honey.
The light turned green.
Ethan Roscente pressed the accelerator.
He glanced over and saw her taking pictures.
He spoke flatly.
"As long as you like it."
...
Sophia Sullivan was jolted awake by her ringing phone.
Olivia Lopez's voice pierced through the receiver.
"Hurry downstairs! I can't park long! Ten minutes!"
Ten minutes later, Sophia Sullivan got into the sports car.
She handed over a sandwich.
Olivia Lopez took a bite and laughed.
"You really are never late."
The sports car sped along.
It finally stopped at the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Sophia Sullivan looked up at the iconic globe.
"...We're here?"
"Studying every day is so boring!"
Olivia Lopez jumped out of the car.
"We have to relax today!"
She quickly returned with tickets.
She held two plush headbands.
She shoved a white fox one at Sophia Sullivan.
She put on a pink doll herself.
Seeing Sophia Sullivan hesitate, she urged, "Put it on!"
Sophia Sullivan reluctantly complied.
Olivia Lopez studied her carefully.
"You look like a little fox spirit descended from heaven!"
She grabbed Sophia Sullivan's hand and charged forward.
"Follow me! I've got the whole plan mapped out!"
Screams echoed from the roller coaster.
Five minutes later, Olivia Lopez was pale.
She leaned over a trash can, dry heaving.
Sophia Sullivan gently patted her back.
"Feeling any better?"
"Guh—"
Olivia Lopez retched again.
Sophia Sullivan offered water and tissues.
She only relaxed after Olivia Lopez rinsed her mouth.
"That was pure hell..."
Olivia Lopez complained while wiping her mouth.
Sophia Sullivan was amused. "Who told you to insist on riding it?"
She was afraid of heights yet still challenged herself.
She had no one to blame but herself.
"My mistake..."
Olivia Lopez leaned against her to rest.
She perked up again soon after.
It was lunchtime.
Sophia Sullivan suggested they eat first.
As they passed the plaza, the crowd grew excited.
Tourists raised their phones to take pictures.
"Look at the balloons!"
"So many balloons!"
Sophia Sullivan looked up.
The blue sky was filled with colorful balloons.
Ribbons fluttered in the wind.
Like dancing butterflies.
Someone browsing their phone gasped.
"It's a birthday surprise from a rich heir for his girlfriend!"
"So romantic..."
Olivia Lopez was uninterested.
She pulled Sophia Sullivan away.
"I'm starving. Let's eat."
"Okay."
...
A long line stretched before the pirate ship.
Ethan Roscente stood in the middle of the queue.
Isabella Langley brought him a slushie.
"We're almost there! Just a little longer!"
The temperature was rising.
Ethan Roscente took off his coat and draped it over his arm.
He looked down at his phone.
Sudden exclamations rose around them.
Isabella Langley followed the gazes.
A sea of balloons rose near the carousel.
A man holding roses walked toward his girlfriend.
They embraced.
It was romantic, like a fairy tale.
"Such a romantic birthday surprise..."
Isabella Langley murmured softly.
Today was her birthday too.
She wondered if Ethan Roscente had a surprise planned...
Ethan Roscente lazily glanced over.
His expression remained blank as he returned to his phone.
He found such displays utterly boring.
He'd never done these things for Sophia Sullivan.
He wasn't about to start now.