Intro:

Jordan and Alice were an unlikely pair to anyone who didn’t know them well. Jordan, a 17-year-old with messy brown hair and striking green eyes, was the kind of guy who could blend in almost anywhere. Friendly and easygoing, he was the type who’d greet everyone with a warm smile and a nod, no matter who they were. Beneath his laid-back demeanor, though, was a true nerd at heart. He had a passion for video games, a deep love for comic books, and an impressive knowledge of obscure sci-fi trivia that few could rival. Yet, he was never boastful about it. He wore his nerdiness like a comfortable old sweater, letting others take from it what they would.

Then there was Alice, a 16-year-old girl who stood out more than she fit in. With her long brown hair always in a ponytail and piercing blue eyes that seemed to challenge anyone who dared to cross her, Alice was a sassy tomboy who never backed down from a fight, especially if it meant defending someone who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Despite her tough exterior, she had a deep well of loyalty and kindness hidden beneath her fiery attitude. But those who knew Alice also knew she didn’t trust easily, and her circle of friends was small—really, it was just Jordan. He was the only one she let past her walls.

Their friendship was unique in its intensity and sincerity, forged in a moment that would forever be etched in Alice’s memory. She was only 10 years old when her world was shattered by her parents' divorce. They had been at each other’s throats for years, and finally, they’d had enough. But in their rush to escape each other and the responsibilities of raising a child, they left Alice behind to fend for herself. Money was sent regularly to cover her living expenses, but money didn’t provide the warmth of a family or the comfort of a loving home. Alone and heartbroken, Alice often found herself wandering the neighborhood aimlessly, her heart heavy with loneliness.

One day, she ended up at a playground, sitting on a swing as she watched other kids laugh and play under the watchful eyes of their parents. The sight only deepened her sorrow, and she couldn’t hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing quietly, feeling more isolated than ever. It was then that she heard a voice—soft, concerned—ask if she was okay.

When Alice looked up, she saw a boy around her age with a kind expression and a head full of brown hair. She hesitated at first, not used to anyone showing her concern, but there was something disarming about his green eyes that made her feel safe. She told him the truth, that she wasn’t okay, that she felt like she had no one. The boy didn’t try to offer any hollow words of comfort; instead, he smiled and asked if she wanted to hang out and play on his 3DS. He grinned as he explained that he could really use a buddy to help grind levels for his Pokémon team.

Alice couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she smiled. She agreed, and the two spent the rest of the afternoon battling Pokémon, laughing, and talking as if they’d known each other their whole lives. From that moment on, Jordan became more than just a friend to Alice—he became her family, the person she could rely on no matter what. They shared everything together, from their triumphs to their darkest secrets, and over the years, their bond only grew stronger.

Present Day:

The school cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter, students clustered at tables, laughing and talking about everything from the latest gossip to the upcoming weekend plans. Jordan sat at his usual spot near the window, a half-eaten sandwich in hand as he scrolled through his phone, absently checking out a new game update. He barely noticed when Alice slid into the seat across from him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Jordan, you won't believe what I just heard!" Alice exclaimed, leaning forward with a grin that made her blue eyes light up.

Jordan looked up from his phone, raising an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. "What’s up?"

"I was just in the hallway, and I overheard these two students talking about something crazy," Alice said, lowering her voice slightly as if sharing a secret. "Apparently, there are rumors going around that there are little people living in the local park. Like, tiny human-looking creatures. One of the park visitors supposedly saw one walking through the grass."

Jordan blinked, processing her words before a skeptical smile crept onto his face. "Little people? Like what, gnomes...or fairies? Alice, that sounds like something out of a fairy tale."

Alice pouted, crossing her arms and slumping back in her chair. "You’re no fun. I thought it sounded cool. Just imagine if it were true!"

Jordan chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m not saying it wouldn’t be cool. I just think it’s… well, kind of silly. You know how rumors are. They've been saying Silksong is finally coming out for years and I'm still waiting"

Alice sighed, her excitement deflating like a balloon. "Fine yeah, I guess it was silly after all."

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Jordan felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t meant to crush her excitement. She always had a knack for getting carried away with wild ideas, and part of him loved that about her. It made everything feel more adventurous, more alive. He didn’t want to be the one to rain on her parade.

"Hey, tell you what," Jordan said, a small smile playing on his lips as an idea formed in his mind. "How about we go check it out ourselves this weekend? We could have a picnic at the park, and while we’re there, we can keep an eye out for any ‘little people.’ What do you think?"

Alice’s pout quickly turned into a wide grin, and she leaned forward again, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Wait a minute… Are you asking me out on a date, Jordan?"

Jordan’s face flushed a deep shade of red, and he quickly shook his head, fumbling for the right words. "What? No! I mean, not exactly. It’s more like… like a friend date. Or, uh, a friend outing. You know, just two friends hanging out. Not a date-date."

Alice giggled, clearly enjoying his flustered state. "I get it, I get it. Relax, I was just messing with you." She paused, her grin turning into a playful smirk. "But if we do find any little people, you’ll owe me one. Next time we go out somewhere, you have to treat me."

Jordan rolled his eyes, relieved that she wasn’t taking his awkwardness too seriously. "Sure, you’re on. But just so you know, we’re not going to find anything. It’s probably just someone’s imagination running wild."

Alice shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Maybe. But wouldn’t it be fun if we did?"

Jordan couldn’t help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm. "Yeah, it would be. But remember, you said it yourself—you’ll owe me one if we don’t find anything."

Alice leaned back in her chair, a confident look on her face. "Deal. I like those odds."

As they finished their lunch, the idea of their upcoming weekend adventure lingered between them, a shared excitement neither of them could quite shake. Jordan might have thought the rumors were silly, but with Alice by his side, even the silliest things could turn into the most memorable moments.

Alice often found herself thinking about how much Jordan meant to her. She hoped, with all her heart, that she would never lose him—that no one or nothing would ever come between them. But life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. Little did she know, after all, that their friendship was about to face its greatest challenge. A strange and magical incident was on the horizon, one that would test the very fabric of their bond and force them to confront feelings they never knew existed.