A Promise

The rain had finally stopped.

Outside Lastheimo, the streets were still covered with small puddles reflecting the golden light of the afternoon sun. The storm that brought ten strangers together was slowly disappearing, but none of them were ready to leave yet.

For some reason...

sitting around that table felt natural.

Like they had known each other longer than just a few hours.

"Can you believe this started because of the rain?" Yhonna said while looking outside the window.

Shantalle smiled.

"Actually, I think the rain had a plan."

Everyone looked at her.

"A plan?"

"Yes," she said confidently. "It wanted us to meet."

Kien laughed.

"You make everything sound like a movie."

"Maybe our lives are a movie."

"Then I hope I'm the funny character."

"You already are," Prince said.

Everyone laughed.

Callie watched them quietly.

She didn't know why, but her heart felt warm.

For years, she had always been the person who helped others. She was used to giving comfort, giving advice, and making people smile.

But today was different.

Today, someone had made her smile.

She looked around the table.

Dzythien was quietly reading his repaired book.

Ryle was telling a funny story about his life in America.

Xuí was listening carefully while trying to understand some Filipino jokes.

Rein was making sure her younger sister wasn't drinking too much iced coffee.

Calvin was pretending not to enjoy the conversation, even though he was smiling.

Kien and Prince were arguing about who was better at sports.

And Shantalle was taking random pictures.

They were all different.

Yet somehow...

they fit together.

Suddenly, Shantalle placed her camera on the table.

"Everyone."

The group stopped talking.

She looked serious.

"I want to make a promise."

Kien raised an eyebrow.

"Another dramatic moment?"

"Yes," Shantalle answered proudly.

She pointed toward the table.

"Years from now, after we graduate, after we have our jobs, after we chase our dreams..."

She paused.

"Let's meet here again."

Everyone became quiet.

At first, it sounded impossible.

Graduation was still far away.

They barely knew each other.

But somehow, everyone believed it.

"Here?" Ryle asked.

"Here," Shantalle replied.

"Lastheimo?"

"Lastheimo."

Callie smiled.

"I like that."

Rein nodded.

"Me too."

Yhonna raised her hand excitedly.

"Promise?"

Shantalle held out her pinky.

"Promise."

One by one, everyone joined.

Callie connected her pinky with the others.

Dzythien.

Ryle.

Shantalle.

Rein.

Yhonna.

Xuí.

Calvin.

Prince.

Kien.

Ten hands.

One promise.

"If we're still friends after graduation..."

Shantalle looked at them.

"Let's meet here again."

Everyone answered together.

"Promise."

The café owner watched them from behind the counter and smiled.

He had seen many people enter Lastheimo.

Some came for coffee.

Some came for meetings.

Some came just to escape the rain.

But rarely did he see people make a promise like this.

A promise that came from the heart.

Before leaving, Shantalle looked at the group selfie on her camera again.

She saved it carefully.

"First memory," she whispered.

Callie stood near the café door and looked back at the table.

She didn't know what the future would bring.

She didn't know that dreams would separate them.

She didn't know that time would test their friendship.

She didn't know that one day...

this promise would become both their happiest memory and their greatest regret.

For now, they were just ten teenagers with dreams in their hearts.

And a promise waiting to be fulfilled.

The rain had brought them together.

Lastheimo had given them a beginning.

And none of them knew...

how much this day would mean.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***