By My Side

After the Exams

Ember woke up to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains, warming her skin. As her eyes fluttered open, she found Dylan sitting beside her, watching her in quiet intensity. There was always an unspoken tension between them, but today, it felt different—charged, expectant. Something had to change.

For a brief moment, she wondered if she was still dreaming. His presence felt surreal, like a memory she had longed to relive. A gentle smile curved her lips as she reached out, her fingers grazing his cheek.

"I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice barely louder than a breath.

Dylan didn't move, but his gaze softened, a flicker of emotion crossing his face.

Then, reality crashed down on her. This wasn't a dream. Ember's eyes widened as the realization hit, and in a panicked rush, she tried to sit up—only to collide straight into him.

"Ouch!" she yelped, clutching her forehead as a sharp sting pulsed through it.

Dylan winced, rubbing his own forehead before looking at her in concern. "Are you alright?"

Ember rolled her eyes playfully, despite the lingering ache. "Yes, I am. But we need to do it again." A mischievous glint danced in her eyes.

"Again—?" he started, confused, but before he could finish, Ember placed a hand on his forehead and pulled him closer—intentionally bumping their heads together once more.

"Ouch," he muttered, this time exasperated.

A burst of laughter escaped her lips, filling the room with warmth. Dylan chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"It's been a while since I've seen you smile," he said, his voice tinged with something unspoken.

Silence settled between them, thick with emotions neither dared to voice. Their eyes met, speaking in a language deeper than words, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded away.

Then, Dylan finally broke the quiet. "We should get up. We're leaving soon."

Ember blinked, still caught in the lingering warmth of the moment. "Where are we going?"

"I have some work to do at college, and we need to go shopping after that," he said casually.

Ember frowned. "Shopping? Why?"

Dylan's lips curved into a knowing smile as he stood up. "You'll find out soon enough."

And with that, he walked out, leaving Ember both curious and slightly flustered.

 Ember sat alone, her thoughts swirling as she reflected on the brief moment she had just shared with Dylan. It had been a month since they had spent any real time together, and yet, something about him felt... different. More mature, perhaps. Or maybe it was just her heart playing tricks on her.

Pushing the thought aside, Ember made her way downstairs, where the comforting aroma of breakfast filled the air. She found Nana bustling about the kitchen, her warm presence a familiar solace.

"Good morning, dear," Nana greeted, flashing a kind smile.

"Good morning to you too," Ember replied, though her mind still lingered elsewhere.

"Come have breakfast," Nana offered, and Ember nodded, sliding into her usual seat.

As she ate, the quiet moments of the morning gave her a chance to think. Was it just her imagination, or was Dylan acting differently?

After finishing her meal, Ember stood up to wash her hands when the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. She turned to see Dylan coming down, carrying several handbags. Her curiosity piqued.

"What's in the bags?" she asked, tilting her head.

Dylan smirked, a glint of mystery in his eyes. "You'll find out soon enough."

That same cryptic playfulness again. Ember narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering why he had been acting so secretive lately. But after a brief pause, she decided to let it go—for now.

Just then, the driver's voice called from outside, announcing that the car was ready. Ember stepped out, expecting to see the chauffeur waiting, but to her surprise, it was Dylan who slid into the driver's seat.

He rarely drove.

Frowning slightly, she climbed in beside him, still trying to make sense of the situation. In her distraction, she forgot to buckle her seatbelt. Before she could react, Dylan leaned in toward her, closing the space between them. Instinctively, she pulled back, startled.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and uncertainty.

Dylan arched a brow. "I'm just helping you with your seatbelt," he said, his tone gentle yet firm.

"Oh…" Ember felt her cheeks warm. "Thank you."

As he clicked the belt into place, their hands brushed for the briefest second, sending an unexpected jolt through her. She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the view outside.

Dylan simply gave her a small smile before gripping the wheel. "Let's go."

And just like that, they were off.

The drive was faster than usual, the tension between them thick, unspoken. The hum of the engine filled the silence, but Ember couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them—something neither of them was quite ready to acknowledge.

When they finally pulled up to the college, Dylan turned to her.

"You can head to the library or the cafeteria—wherever you want. I'll find you when I'm done."

Ember nodded, watching as he grabbed the mysterious bags and walked away. There was something about the way he carried them, the way he moved with a quiet determination, that only deepened her curiosity.

Shaking her head, she made her way to the library, hoping to clear her thoughts. Books always had a way of grounding her. As she browsed through the shelves, running her fingers over the spines of different novels, she heard a familiar voice.

 "Long time no see," Adrien greeted, flashing Ember a friendly smile.

She turned, surprised but pleased, and returned his smile. "Yeah, it's been almost a month."

"Yeah..." His voice trailed off, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Do you have time to talk? Maybe we could walk around?"

Ember hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure… Where should we go?"

"How about the back lawn?" Adrien suggested.

They spoke at the same time, their words overlapping, and they both laughed at the coincidence. As they walked side by side, Adrien glanced at her and smiled.

"You look good when you smile."

The compliment caught Ember off guard. For a fleeting second, another voice echoed in her mind—Dylan's voice. He had said something similar not too long ago. The memory struck unexpectedly, leaving her momentarily lost in thought.

"Are you okay, Ember?" Adrien's voice pulled her back to the present.

She blinked away the memory and forced a small smile. "I'm fine."

The gentle rustling of leaves filled the silence as they continued walking, the cool breeze carrying unspoken thoughts between them.

After a while, Adrien broke the quiet. "So, why haven't you been coming to college lately?"

The question hit a nerve. Ember's mind flashed back to painful moments she wasn't ready to relive. The air between them grew heavy, weighted with emotions she didn't want to confront. To break the tension, she forced a lighthearted tone.

"Let's not talk about that."

Adrien studied her for a moment before nodding. "Of course. We don't have to talk about it if you're not comfortable."

A quiet wave of relief washed over her. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

But after a few more steps, Adrien's curiosity got the better of him. "What's going on with you and Dylan?"

Ember tensed, her fingers curling slightly. "Nothing special," she replied too quickly, her voice tight.

Adrien didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Silence stretched between them, the weight of unspoken words pressing down. Finally, Ember stopped walking, inhaling deeply as if gathering courage.

"Adrien, I need to say something." Her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable sadness beneath it. "I think… it's better if we don't see each other anymore."

Adrien's expression shifted from confusion to hurt. "What? Why?"

Ember looked away, her heart aching. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice soft but firm. "I don't have answers for you right now. I just need space."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Adrien standing there—confused, full of questions she couldn't bring herself to answer.

Her heart pounded as she rushed back to the library, desperate for the solitude and silence it offered. Maybe there, among the books and quiet corners, she could finally clear her mind.

 Dylan's Side - 

As Dylan made his way back after delivering the bags, a familiar voice caught his attention. He wasn't the type to eavesdrop, but when he heard Ember's name, he couldn't ignore it.

Adrien was talking to his friend, his voice filled with concern.

"I don't know what's happened to her," Adrien admitted, a troubled expression on his face. "But I don't think she's feeling well."

His friend responded thoughtfully, "If you can see she's not okay, maybe you should talk to her about it."

Adrien let out a sigh, frustration and sadness woven into his tone. "She doesn't want to talk to me. She said we shouldn't speak anymore—whether at college or anywhere else. At first, I thought maybe giving her space was the right thing to do, but... it hurts. Every time she walks away, making excuses, it hurts."

His friend's voice grew more serious. "If you both stop talking, how are things supposed to get better? How will anything change?"

Adrien hesitated before answering. "I think... I need to give her time alone, but she's acting strange. She looks… off."

His friend nodded. "Okay, give her time if that's what she needs. But don't forget—you've got competition. You're not the only one who's in love with her."

Adrien's reply came instantly, almost defensive. "I know, I know! I'm aware of it."

As they walked away, Dylan remained rooted in place, their conversation replaying in his mind.

Ember looked strange. Something was bothering her.

The thought gnawed at him, tightening his chest. He knew exactly where she would be.

Without wasting another second, he made his way to the library, moving with purpose. He didn't stop on the first floor or the second—he headed straight to the top. That part of the library was almost always deserted, filled with dusty old books that no one cared to read. More importantly, there was a small terrace up there, a quiet escape from the world.

And that's where he found her.

Ember sat on a bench, lost in thought, her expression unreadable. The sight of her like this made something inside him twist.

She looked so far away.

So unreachable.

Dylan took a deep breath, stepping closer. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but one thing was certain—he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

 Dylan stepped closer, careful not to startle her. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Ember whispering to herself, her voice thick with emotion.

"I don't even have an answer to his question… 'Why?' But I don't want Dylan to be the way he was before. I want to start fresh, forget the past. Today was the first day he's acted like himself again, and I don't want to ruin this."

She let out a long, deep breath, as if trying to release the weight pressing down on her chest.

"Let's forget about today's conversation," she murmured. "I won't let this make him angry again. Yes… yes…"

Her voice faded into the quiet hum of the empty terrace , leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than words.

Dylan stood frozen, torn between stepping forward and staying hidden. Hearing her struggle—hearing her say she didn't want to ruin things between them—tugged at something deep inside him.

She sighed again, her breath shaky, exhausted.

"Hufff…"

Dylan exhaled slowly, trying to steady his thoughts.

"Let's forget about today's conversation," he told himself. "I won't let my love be overshadowed by doubts again."

He couldn't wait any longer. Whatever was troubling Ember, whatever she was holding back—he had to let her know they would face it together.

With quiet determination, he stepped forward, ready to close the distance between them.

 "So..."

The familiar voice made Ember turn instinctively. She already knew who it was before she even saw him.

"You're back. And you found me so fast… Impressive," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. But as soon as she met Dylan's gaze, her smile faltered. His expression was troubled, his eyes clouded with something unspoken.

Concern gripped her as she stepped closer. "Hey, what's wrong? Did something happen? You look upset."

He didn't answer right away. The silence between them felt heavy, thick with something Ember couldn't quite grasp.

Gently, she placed her hands on his cheeks, tilting his face down so she could look into his distant eyes. "What's going on? Are you not going to tell me?"

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "You can't make friends if you stay with me."

His words hit Ember like a sudden gust of cold wind, leaving her momentarily stunned. She stood still, trying to process what he had just said.

But then, slowly, a soft smile spread across her lips. He was worried about her.

"So what?" she said, her voice gentle but unwavering. "I have you by my side. That's all that matters to me. That's all I want."

She searched his eyes, hoping he would understand. But before she could say anything more, Dylan pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her as if he were afraid to let go. His voice was raw with emotion as he whispered, "Don't leave me. Stay by my side."

Ember held him just as tightly, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'm not going to leave you… unless you want me to."

"I won't let you go," he murmured into her ear, his grip tightening.

She pulled back just enough to see his face and smiled warmly. "Okay, okay… so, we're not going shopping, right?"

Dylan blinked, as if the thought had completely slipped his mind. Then, a laugh escaped his lips, breaking the tension.

"Oh! I almost forgot! Let's go."

He threw an arm around her shoulders, holding her close as they both laughed. The weight of the moment faded, replaced by something lighter, something that felt like them. Together, they made their way to the car, their footsteps falling in sync, the echoes of their laughter lingering in the air.

 As they settled into the car and Dylan began driving, Ember turned to him with curiosity. "Why are we going shopping again?"

Dylan cast her a soft smile, his eyes glancing at her before returning to the road. "We're going on that trip to Turkey for Emir's birthday, remember? We need to get you some clothes for it."

"Oh, right!" Ember nodded, recalling the plans. But then, a hesitation flickered across her face. "But..."

Dylan noticed the shift in her tone and glanced at her briefly. "But what?"

Pressing her lips together, Ember exhaled slowly. "Don't get me wrong. It's just that... you're doing so much for me, and I feel like I have nothing to give you in return."

Before she could blink, Dylan suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"Ouch!" Ember yelped as the car jerked forward, her heart pounding from the unexpected stop. But before she could protest, Dylan leaned toward her, his intense gaze locking onto hers.

"You're the one I want, Ember," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. Then, without warning, he kissed her.

The world outside faded into nothing as Ember melted into his embrace. The warmth of his lips, the way he held her—everything about this moment sent shivers down her spine. She kissed him back, her fingers instinctively curling into his shirt, pulling him closer.

A soft "Mmm..." escaped her lips when he finally pulled away, leaving her breathless.

"Huff... Huff..." Ember gasped, trying to steady her breathing. Her heart raced as she stared at him, wide-eyed.

Dylan smirked. "Are you okay?"

She exhaled a shaky breath and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." Then, with a teasing grin, he added, "When we get home, I'll teach you how to kiss without being breathless everytime."

ember's expression turned momentarily serious. "What?"

dylan burst into laughter. "Yeah," he teased. "I don't want you to die because you forgot to breathe while we kiss." he shook his head playfully, still giggling

Ember raised an eyebrow but couldn't fight the smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright, let's just get back on the road."

Chuckling, he started the car again, the warmth of their shared moment lingering between them as they drove off.

 When they arrived at the mall, Dylan pulled up the hood of his jacket and adjusted his sunglasses as if he were on a top-secret mission.

"Okay, let's go," he said, his voice low and serious, like he was sneaking out of enemy territory.

Ember took one look at him and raised an amused eyebrow. "Hey! Are you seriously going in like this?"

Dylan feigned innocence. "Is something missing?"

Ember folded her arms, trying to hold back a laugh. "Nothing's missing... except you are!" The laughter burst out of her before she could stop it.

Dylan smirked, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, I'll take it off." He pulled down his hood and removed the sunglasses. Then, his expression turned slightly serious as he looked at her. "But promise me you won't leave my side for even a second, alright?"

Ember grinned and placed a hand over her heart dramatically. "Deal. I'll stick to you like glue."

As they stepped out of the car, Dylan took her hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Let's see how strong that grip is."

Ember squeezed back, a playful glint in her eyes. "Hm," she hummed in response.

The moment they entered the mall, Ember's eyes widened in shock. A massive banner of Dylan hung right at the entrance, welcoming visitors with his face plastered across it. And it wasn't just there—every shop seemed to have his image displayed in one way or another.

"Wow, I had no idea you were this famous," Ember muttered, staring at the overwhelming sight.

Dylan rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I don't believe it sometimes either. This is getting more like this because of the interview from before."

Just then, a voice from behind them shrieked, "Did you say Dylan?!"

Ember turned just in time to see a girl's eyes go wide with recognition. And then—

"Ahhh! It's Dylan! Dylan's in the mall!"

Within seconds, a swarm of girls surrounded them, squealing and clamoring for his attention.

Dylan grabbed Ember's hand even tighter, leaning close to whisper with a playful grin, "See? This is why I told you I needed to cover myself.

Ember nodded, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Yep, you were right. I am regretting it now."

Before Dylan could respond, the excitement around them intensified. Fans screamed his name, phones flashed as pictures were taken, and eager hands reached out for autographs. The crowd pressed in closer, the energy buzzing with excitement.

Amidst the chaos, someone accidentally stepped on Ember's foot.

"Ouch!" she gasped, wincing as pain shot through her ankle. In that split second, her grip on Dylan's hand slipped, and before she knew it, she was swallowed up by the crowd.

"Dylan!" she called out, but her voice was lost in the frenzy. The sea of fans between them made it impossible to reach him, and panic began to creep into her chest. Taking a deep breath, she decided to move away from the mob, trying to find an opening.

Just then, she heard Dylan's voice rise above the noise.

"Hey! You guys, look over here!"

She turned just in time to see him maneuvering through the crowd, parting them like waves as he pushed his way toward her. The moment he reached her, his eyes immediately fell to her foot.

Concern etched into his face. "Is your foot hurting?"

Ember forced a small smile, attempting to brush it off. "It's fine."

Dylan wasn't convinced. "If it's fine, then why are there tears in your eyes?"

Before she could protest, he gently cupped her cheek, then—without hesitation—lifted her into his arms.

"We're leaving." His voice left no room for argument.

"But we just got here..." Ember mumbled, though the warmth of his embrace made her feel safe.

"So what? You're hurt. Do you really want to go shopping on a broken foot?"

Ember hesitated, knowing he was right. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder, letting him carry her through the stunned crowd. People around them whispered in awe, their gazes fixed on Dylan as he held her so protectively, as if she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Once they reached the car, Dylan carefully set her down in the passenger seat before sliding into the driver's side.

As he started the engine, Ember furrowed her brows. "Wait… why are we going to the hospital? Are you hurt?"

Dylan glanced at her with an exasperated look. "Look at your foot and then ask me that again."

She followed his gaze, finally taking in the slight swelling.

"Oh... What? We're going to the hospital for this?" Ember chuckled in disbelief.

Dylan sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Yes, because someone is too stubborn to admit when she's in pain."

She pouted, crossing her arms. "I was trying to be tough."

"Yeah, well, you don't have to be tough when you have me."

Ember sighed, already knowing where this was headed. "But it's not necessary—" she started to argue, but before she could finish, the car slowed to a stop in front of the hospital.

Dylan shifted in his seat, turning to face her. "Okay, if you can take two steps on your own, we won't go in."

Ember lifted her chin, determination flickering in her eyes. "Alright, deal."

Carefully, she opened the door and stepped out, steadying herself. She took a deep breath, ready to prove him wrong. But the moment she put weight on her injured foot, a sharp pain shot through her ankle. Before she could react, her balance wavered, and she stumbled forward.

Strong arms caught her instantly.

"See? You can't even take a single step," Dylan murmured, amusement lacing his voice as he effortlessly lifted her back into his arms.

Ember huffed, crossing her arms. "You didn't even give me a chance."

Dylan chuckled, holding her securely. "Let's go."

With that, he carried her inside, and despite her protests, she couldn't help but lean into his warmth, feeling safe in his arms.

 At the doctor's office, Ember lay on the patient bed, a sense of unease settling over her. Just as the doctor was about to examine her ankle, Dylan suddenly stepped forward, his voice firm yet polite.

"Hello, Doctor. Can you call a female doctor for her?"

The doctor looked momentarily surprised before responding, "Sir, we don't have a female doctor available at this time."

Dylan's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "Then we'll change the hospital."

The doctor's eyes widened in alarm. "No, no... that won't be necessary," he stammered. "I'll call a female doctor right away."

"Thank you," Dylan said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

A few moments later, a female doctor entered the room, her presence instantly soothing Ember's nerves. She offered a reassuring smile. "Let me take a look at the patient."

As soon as the doctor gently touched Ember's ankle, a sharp pain shot through her leg.

"Ouch!" she gasped, her body tensing.

Dylan was by her side in an instant, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently. Ember clung to him as the doctor carefully assessed her injury, twisting her ankle slightly to check the movement. She bit down on her lip, trying to suppress the pain, but her grip on Dylan's hand only tightened.

Dylan leaned in, his voice low and soothing. "I'm right here. Just hold on."

Ember nodded, exhaling shakily, grateful for his warmth beside her.

 "It's just a minor ankle twist," the doctor reassured. "There's nothing to be too worried about, but she needs to rest for a day to help it recover. I'll write a prescription for some ointment to apply to the area."

"Thank you, doctor," Ember said with a small smile as the doctor left the room.

Dylan immediately turned to her, his brows furrowed in concern. "Does it still hurt?" he asked softly.

Ember shook her head. "Not as much anymore."

But Dylan's expression suddenly darkened. "Hey... what happened to your lip? It's bleeding."

"Oh," Ember touched her lip, realizing it was sore. "I guess I bit it when the pain got too much."

Dylan frowned, his voice turning impossibly gentle. "Don't say anything." He leaned in closer, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Let me help you."

Before Ember could even react, Dylan closed the distance between them, pressing a soft, delicate kiss against her lips. His warmth melted away the sting, and for that brief moment, all the pain faded into nothing.

As he pulled back, his gaze searched hers, his voice just above a whisper. "If you're feeling better... let's go home."

 Ember nodded, still a little breathless. "Yes," she whispered.

Without hesitation, Dylan lifted her into his arms, carrying her out of the doctor's office and toward the car. His embrace was strong and steady, making her feel safe—protected.

On the way home, he stopped by a pharmacy to pick up the prescribed ointment. He was quick, returning within minutes, and soon, they were back on the road, heading to his place.

When they arrived, Dylan carried her straight into his room. Confused, Ember looked up at him. "Why are you taking me to your room?" she asked.

He met her gaze with a quiet intensity, his voice soft yet firm. "I want you to stay by my side."

Her heart skipped a beat. His words left her speechless, and all she could do was nod.

A little while later, Dylan made a few phone calls. Ember listened carefully, but the language he spoke was Chinese—unfamiliar and difficult to follow. She watched him, curiosity flickering in her eyes, but she didn't ask. She trusted him.

When he finally ended the call, he turned to her with a smile. "I'm going to get us some lunch. I'll be right back."

And with that, he left the room, leaving Ember alone with her thoughts, her heart still fluttering from everything that had happened.