The four friends sat on the park bench, each with a melting cone of their favorite ice cream.
Selena took a big lick and sighed happily. "You know, ice cream might just be the real hero of the day."
Gala nodded, savoring the cold sweetness. "Seriously. I feel like this is the only thing keeping me from turning into a puddle."
Sam, wiping his dripping cone, grinned. "Mission accomplished, then. We didn't exactly convince Mr. Sun to chill, but we found the next best thing."
Yan leaned back against the bench's shady side and smiled. "Speaking of heat, anyone want to talk about their 'real' problems? Besides melting?"
Selena raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you starting the 'let's get serious' part of the day?"
Gala sighed, looking at her friends. "I guess... sometimes it feels like this heatwave is a perfect metaphor for life — too much pressure, no cool-down time."
Sam nodded slowly. "Yeah. Like, we all joke around but everyone's dealing with stuff."
Selena's smile softened. "True. Sometimes the sun isn't the only thing burning."
Yan reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded note. "I was going to wait, but maybe it's time to share."
He handed the note to Gala.
She opened it and read quietly, then looked up. "Wow… I didn't know you felt that way."
Sam leaned in. "Yeah, what's going on?"
Yan shrugged, a little embarrassed. "Just... family stuff. Feels like I'm under pressure to be perfect all the time. Kinda like this heat — constant, overwhelming."
Selena nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks for sharing, Yan. I think we all need to be honest like this more."
Gala smiled. "I feel the same. This heat might be unbearable, but at least we have each other to cool off with."
Sam laughed. "And ice cream. Don't forget ice cream."
They all laughed together, the heat still heavy, but their hearts a little lighter.
Selena looked up at the sky and whispered, "Maybe Mr. Sun's just reminding us to stick together when things get tough."
And somehow, beneath the scorching sun, that thought felt like a cool breeze.