14

  The first week of December brought a playful chill into the city air, the kind that hinted at upcoming holidays and warm gatherings. At Finn and Maxi’s school, excitement buzzed like electricity. It was time for the Annual Community Solidarity Festival, an event held to raise funds for the indigenous families living in the far-off provinces. The school grounds transformed into a lively fair—colorful banners waving, music floating through the air, and the scent of food drifting from one corner to another.

  Finn and his close friends—JP, Marlon, and Lester—had volunteered to run a slush ice shake stall. They’d spent the previous day preparing signs, pricing, and flavor mixes. Maxi had his own station, selling pre-loved books, his voice loud and inviting as he persuaded customers with dramatic storytelling. Meanwhile, Ellie and Carla were helping with the art gallery showcasing student-made paintings and crafts.

  The main pathways were filled with children, parents, and locals exploring the exhibits. Finn wiped a bit of melted ice from his wrist while stirring the chocolate mixture. “This is going better than last year,” Marlon said while waving a fan to mimic wind at the banner.

  “Yeah,” JP agreed, handing change to a group of middle schoolers.

  Just before noon, a bit of commotion rippled across the campus. Security moved into formation, teachers straightened their uniforms, and students lined the walkways.

  “The mayor’s arriving,” Lester whispered.

  Across the field, Katherine and her classmates stood poised as part of the public relations committee. She wore her school uniform neatly pressed, hair tied with a white ribbon. Finn spotted her immediately—even from a distance. She looked composed and warm, speaking politely to the officials accompanying the mayor.

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  The mayor made his rounds across the booths, smiling, shaking hands, commenting kindly on the students’ efforts. Eventually, he reached Finn’s slush shake stall.

  “What do we have here?” the mayor asked with a friendly tone.

  “Slush ice shakes, sir! Chocolate, melon, mango, and strawberry,” Finn replied, standing straight.

  “Hm. Chocolate sounds lovely.”

  Finn worked carefully—measuring, stirring, layering crushed ice the way he loved to do it—smooth, cold, perfectly blended. The mayor took a sip and nodded appreciatively. “Excellent! Keep up the good work, young man.”

  As Finn handed the next drink to a customer, his eyes met Katherine’s from behind the mayor’s group. She stood still, almost startled, then smiled—small and shy, but real.

  Finn felt something flutter in his chest, warm and overwhelming.

  They didn’t speak.

  Just a brief glance.

  A faint, quiet exchange of emotion.

  But Lester had seen everything.

  He leaned in, whispering, “I think she’d love the chocolate one.”

  Finn almost dropped the cup in his hand. “S-Shut up, Lester—!”

  “No, seriously. Go give her one.”

  Finn’s heart hammered. His palms felt cold. He tried focusing on the next order but his thoughts spun back to Katherine holding that same shy smile.

  The mayor moved on to the next section. Katherine followed with her group. Finn watched her steps gradually take her farther away.

  Something stirred inside him—courage mixed with fear, but also hope.

  He grabbed a new cup, packed the ice carefully, poured the chocolate perfectly smooth—better than he had all morning.

  His hands shook. His heart raced. He nearly turned back twice.

  But he kept walking.

  “K-Katherine!”

  She turned—eyes widening softly as she saw him approaching, slightly breathless, red-faced, clutching a cup of slush like it was treasure.

  “I… um… this is… for you,” Finn stammered, voice barely audible. “I… thought you might like it.”

  Katherine’s cheeks tinted pink.

  Her hands brushed his as she accepted the drink gently. “Thank you… Finn. Really.” Her smile lingered, warm and lovely.

  The world around them seemed to quiet for a moment.

  Just two shy hearts

  beating too fast

  yet somehow perfectly in rhythm.

  Finn walked back to his stall—

  embarrassed, relieved, and secretly happy.

  And Lester greeted him with the biggest grin in the world.