One day, as they were walking home together from school, Lucian couldn't help but notice the way Rina was carrying herself. There was a newfound confidence in her step that he hadn't seen before, and it made him smile to see her like this. Without thinking, he reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder briefly as they walked side by side.

"You know," he said softly, "I think Willow picked the right person after all."

Rina glanced up at him with a small smile before looking away again. "Maybe she did," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the sound of their footsteps on the pavement. Lucian felt his heart swell with hope as he continued to walk beside her, content for now just to be in her presence.

As they turned the corner and approached their neighborhood, Lucian couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. Would they ever truly be able to put aside their differences and become more than just friends? Only time would tell.