HAPPY FRIENDSHIP ANNIVERSARY

The Time Capsule

They decide to leave a gift for their future selves, and for Harrison, when he returns.

The late afternoon sun dipped lazily behind the clouds as the group sat outside, a cool breeze whispering through the trees that bordered their beloved safe house.

The laughter from earlier had softened into thoughtful quiet.

It was Lena who spoke first.

"So... I've been thinking. Since Harrison might be joining us soon, why don't we do something special for all of us, something that marks this year, this moment?"

"Like what?" Eli asked, still sipping from a glass of lemonade.

"A time capsule."

Everyone looked at her.

"You mean like, dig-a-hole-and-bury-our-secrets kind of time capsule?" Kai said, raising an eyebrow.

Lena nodded.

"Exactly that.

Each of us puts in something that means something to us right now, something that says who we are at this point in our lives.

Then, when we're older, or maybe next anniversary, we open it together."

"I love that idea," Amelia said, already mentally searching through her things.

"It feels... intentional. Like a gift to ourselves."

"And Harrison can add his when he gets here," Nora added with a soft smile. "It would mean a lot."

"I already know what I'll put in," Kai grinned.

"That pen Harrison borrowed in class and never returned. I still have it."

"Of course you kept it," Eli smirked. "You're the king of sentimental hoarding."

Nora reached for a small wooden box tucked near the bookshelf.

"We could use this. It's strong enough to last, and we could decorate it."

And just like that, the living room buzzed with life again.

Everyone scattered, rummaging through drawers, journals, trinkets, and old photo boxes.

That evening...

"They gathered under the stars, sitting in a circle with the box in the middle.

"I'll go first," Lena said, placing a folded paper inside.

"A letter to my future self.

"Hopefully, by the time I read it again, I'll be braver.

And maybe... I'll have finally written that book."

Amelia followed, slipping in a pressed flower.

"It's from the garden we planted the year Harrison left. It bloomed again this morning."

Kai dropped in a Polaroid of the six of them from their school days.

"The day we all wore the wrong uniform on purpose. Got detention. Worth it."

Nora placed a tiny charm.

"It was from our first road trip. The one where Harrison got carsick and swore never to ride with Kai again."

They laughed.

Then Eli stepped forward, hesitating just slightly before placing in a small sketch, his own.

"It's the first time I drew all of us together, including Harrison.

I never showed anyone this... until now."

There was a moment of silence. One of reverence. Of quiet gratitude.

"We'll bury it by the garden," Lena said. "So it stays close."

They headed outside, flashlights in hand, fireflies blinking around them like tiny stars.

Together, they dug a small patch of earth beneath the tree they always used to gather around as teens.

Box secured, dirt padded over it, Nora whispered, "One day, when we open this, I hope we're still here, still us."

Amelia nodded. "Even if we're a little older, a little different... I hope the heart of us never changes."

As they walked back toward the house, arms bumping, laughter returning, there was something unspoken in the air: anticipation, and a quiet kind of joy.

Harrison wasn't there yet.

But the space was ready.

And so were they.

May the Kitchen Survive

The evening was soft with stars, the air laced with lingering spices from dinner, and the group lounged lazily in the living room, bellies full, laughter still echoing from earlier.

Just as Lena began collecting empty glasses, Nora stretched with a satisfied sigh.

"Well, tomorrow's another big day."

Amelia smirked. "Yup. Tomorrow… It's your turn, Kai."

All eyes turned.

Kai froze, mid-sip of water, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Wait, what? Already? I thought I was later in the week."

Eli chuckled darkly, leaning forward.

"Nope.

Tomorrow's your day. We already agreed. One by one, remember?"

Kai slowly lowered his glass. "We are all going to die."

The room exploded with laughter.

"No, you're going to kill us," Lena teased, pointing a playful finger.

Amelia clutched a pillow. "I'm not ready to meet my ancestors yet, Kai. Please… don't experiment."

"Have mercy on us," Nora added, mock-begging.

"We have so much to live for. I haven't even found out how my favorite book series ends!"

Kai threw a cushion at her.

"Come on! I can cook! Okay… maybe not Nora-level, but I've watched videos! TikToks count, right?"

"Only if you plan to serve us burnt water with a side of confusion," Eli said with a straight face.

More laughter.

"I'm going to prove you all wrong," Kai said, standing dramatically.

"Tomorrow, I shall rise.

Like a phoenix, no, like a seasoned chef."

"I just hope we don't burn with you," Lena muttered, ducking as he grabbed another pillow.

"I'll keep a fire extinguisher nearby," Eli said, mock-serious. "Just in case the 'phoenix' tries to fry us all."

"You guys are the worst cheerleaders," Kai huffed, though the corner of his lips twitched with a grin.

"Fine.

But if I surprise you tomorrow, I want full public apology speeches."

"Deal," Nora said, raising a pinky.

"But if you fail, you're washing dishes for the next three days. No debate."

Kai sighed. "This is extortion."

"This is love," Amelia corrected sweetly.

They all laughed again, falling into an easy silence afterward, the kind only shared by people who knew each other's rhythms, jokes, and quirks by heart.

Outside, the moon climbed higher.

Inside, hearts were full.

Tomorrow?

Well, they'd either feast… or survive Kai's kitchen catastrophe.

Either way, memories would be made.