"Slipped Away"

The afternoon air pulsed with lingering excitement as they approached the school gates. the buzz of the afternoon lingered in the air. Students around them chatted animatedly about the games, the victories, and the near-misses. The energy of the day hadn't quite worn off yet, and it showed in the way they all moved—slightly tired but still filled with excitement.

Lydia stretched, sighing in satisfaction. "I think that was the best sports day we've had in a while."

Dalian nodded, taking a sip from her water bottle. "Yeah, it was fun."

Jack walked beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual relaxed posture intact. "I gotta admit, I didn't think you'd be that into it," he said, glancing at her.

Dalian arched an eyebrow. "Why?"

Jack shrugged. "You always seem… I don't know, more reserved."

Dalian smirked. "Well, I guess I can surprise you."

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess so."

Alex, walking beside him, nudged Jack with his elbow. "So, are we heading straight home, or are we stopping somewhere?"

Lydia clapped her hands together. "Food. We need food."

Dalian chuckled. "Didn't you just eat before the games?"

"That was hours ago," Lydia defended. "I burned all that energy."

Jack looked at Dalian. "What about you?"

She hesitated for a moment before glancing at Diane, who had been relatively quiet. Diane met her gaze and gave her a small nod.

"Sure," Dalian said finally. "I could eat."

"Great," Lydia grinned. "Let's go before I collapse."

They walked down the street, the afternoon sun beginning its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the buildings. The air was filled with the comforting chatter of students making their way home, the occasional laughter echoing through the streets.

Dalian felt the lightness of the day settle over her. It had been a long time since she'd allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment. And as she walked beside Jack, their steps falling into an easy rhythm, she couldn't ignore the strange warmth that spread through her chest.

She didn't know what it meant yet. But for now, she was okay with just letting it be.

They arrived at a small, lively restaurant just a few blocks from the school. The scent of freshly cooked meals drifted through the air as they stepped inside, greeted by the hum of casual chatter and the occasional clinking of plates.

Lydia led the way to an empty booth near the window, sliding in beside Diane. Dalian sat next to her, while Jack and Alex took the seats across from them.

A waiter approached with menus, and Lydia barely glanced at hers before saying, "I already know what I want. Extra fries, a milkshake, and—" She turned to Dalian. "What about you?"

Dalian skimmed the menu quickly. "Just a sandwich and iced tea."

Jack leaned back, scanning his options. "Same here."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Copying her order now?"

Jack smirked. "What if I just have good taste?"

Dalian rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the small smile tugging at her lips.

Once everyone placed their orders, they relaxed into casual conversation. The energy from the games still lingered, and Lydia animatedly recounted her near victories, exaggerating just enough to make Diane shake her head in amusement.

"Seriously, if I had just one more second, I would've made that last goal," Lydia insisted.

Jack snorted. "You tripped over your own feet before you even got close."

Lydia gasped. "How dare you? That was a strategic move to throw them off!"

Dalian chuckled, watching as Diane quietly sipped her drink, clearly enjoying their banter without needing to add much.

Dalian glanced up, an instinctive pull—and found Jack already watching her.

The world around them dulled, the chatter, the clinking of dishes—just a distant hum. In his gaze, there was something quiet yet searching, a question she couldn't quite decipher. A slow, unsteady pulse thrummed in her chest.

Jack looked away first, his fingers tightening around his glass as he cleared his throat, the moment slipping between them like sand through her fingers. "So, Dalian, what was your favorite part of today?"

Dalian blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. "Uh… I guess just playing without overthinking everything. It was nice to just have fun."

Jack nodded. "Yeah. You should do that more often."

Dalian tilted her head. "Do what?"

Jack gave a small, lopsided grin. "Relax. Enjoy yourself."

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten. She wasn't sure if he meant anything more by it, but before she could overthink, Lydia spoke up again.

"Alright, alright, enough with the sentimental stuff," Lydia said, waving a hand. "Let's focus on what's really important—dessert."

The moment passed, but the warmth in Dalian's chest lingered.

And as they continued talking and laughing, she knew one thing for sure—this had been one of the best days she'd had in a long time.

As their laughter settled into a comfortable hum, the food arrived, and they all dug in, the table filled with casual conversation and the occasional playful banter.

Lydia happily sipped her milkshake, dipping a fry into it with a satisfied hum, while Diane focused on her plate, eating at a steady pace. Alex and Jack, as usual, argued over their game performances, exchanging playful jabs between bites.

Dalian, meanwhile, quietly unwrapped her sandwich, taking small bites while listening to the back-and-forth chatter around her. The weight of schoolwork and responsibilities felt distant—just for now, she let herself enjoy the moment.

Jack nudged her foot under the table, catching her attention. She glanced up, meeting his amused expression.

"You're too quiet," he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear over the conversation.

"I'm just enjoying the moment," she admitted.

Jack tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Good.

She bit her lip, looking away. There it was again—that way he said things, as if he saw something in her that even she wasn't sure how to put into words.

The evening stretched on, their group lingering at the table even after they had finished eating. None of them seemed in a hurry to leave, caught up in the warmth of companionship.

But eventually, Diane checked her phone, noting the time. "We should probably start heading back."

Lydia groaned dramatically. "Ugh, I hate when fun has to end."

"At least it was a good day," Alex said, stretching his arms.

Dalian nodded, feeling the same. As they stood to leave, Jack naturally fell into step beside her.

"Did today live up to your expectations?" he asked, his tone light but curious.

Dalian thought for a moment before smiling. "Yeah. It really did."

Jack smirked. "Good. We'll have to make sure there are more days like this."

Her heart did that odd little jump again, but she simply nodded, letting the warmth of the day carry her forward.

As they stepped out of the diner, the evening air felt cooler, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass and the distant hum of passing cars. The streetlights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the sidewalk as the group walked together, their footsteps light against the pavement.

Dalian walked beside Diane, her thoughts already drifting to the upcoming meeting with Jack. She wasn't nervous—at least, that's what she kept telling herself—but there was a certain restlessness inside her that she couldn't quite shake.

Lydia, on the other hand, stretched her arms behind her head. "Ahh, that was nice. We should do this more often."

"Agreed," Alex added. "But next time, let's go somewhere with more food options. I swear, I could still eat."

Diane rolled her eyes. "You just ate enough for three people."

Jack chuckled. "He has a point, though. Next time, let's pick a place with a bigger menu."

As the conversation continued, Dalian barely registered it, too aware of the quiet glances Jack kept sending her way. He didn't seem in a rush to leave, and neither was she, but the anticipation lingered between them.

They reached the street where they would all part ways, and one by one, they exchanged their goodbyes. Lydia gave Dalian a knowing look before heading off with Diane, while Alex clapped Jack on the shoulder, mumbling something about tomorrow's game before walking ahead.

And then, it was just the two of them.

Jack didn't say anything right away. Instead, he glanced up at the sky, hands in his pockets, as if waiting for the right moment.

Dalian exhaled, gripping the strap of her bag. "So…"

Jack looked at her then, his gaze steady. "You still up for that talk?"

Her heart thudded against her ribs, but she nodded. "Yeah."

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Good. Let's go, then."

With that, they started walking together, side by side, the evening stretching ahead of them.

Evening Walk

The quiet hum of the evening surrounded them as Dalian and Jack walked side by side, their pace unhurried. The streetlights flickered to life, casting a soft, golden hue over the pavement. The night air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of jasmine from a nearby garden.

Their conversation had started light—about school, the game, meaningless little things that filled the space between them. But underneath it, there was an unspoken anticipation, an awareness that neither of them could ignore.

Dalian glanced at Jack from the corner of her eye. Jack's usual easygoing posture was there—the slouched shoulders, hands tucked into his pockets—but beneath it, something simmered. His weight shifted subtly, fingers twitching inside his jacket as if resisting the urge to reach for something. Every now and then, his jaw tightened, a flicker of something unsaid flashing in his eyes.

As they neared the corner of Dalian's house, Jack suddenly cleared his throat, a little too forcefully, breaking the comfortable silence.

Dalian turned her head, blinking. "Hmm?"

Jack exhaled, tilting his head up as if searching the sky for words before settling his gaze back on her. "You have something to say."

Dalian's grip tightened on her bag strap. "Uh—yeah." Her throat felt dry. "But—you first. You said you had something to say too."

Jack held her gaze for a second too long, as if weighing something. His fingers curled, then unfurled. His lips parted—

"Oh, Dalian! Perfect timing!"

The words shattered between them like glass.

The interruption came from the side, a familiar voice carrying through the night.

Dalian's head snapped in the direction of the voice, her momentary tension dissolving into surprise.

Aunt Beatrice.

She was coming up the sidewalk, arms weighed down with grocery bags, her usual composed expression slightly flustered from carrying so much at once.

Dalian reacted instantly, her feet already moving toward her. "Aunt Beatrice, here—let me help."

Jack took half a step back, watching as Dalian quickly reached for the bags, shifting her focus entirely.

Aunt Beatrice sighed in relief, smiling warmly. "Thank you, dear. I thought I could manage, but I might have overestimated myself this time."

Dalian shook her head. "You should've go. I would call you later."

Jack, now standing a few feet away, ran a hand through his hair, exhaling as he looked toward the ground. Dalian turned back to him, suddenly remembering their conversation.

"I should—" She hesitated, lips pressing together. "We'll talk later, okay?"

Jack lifted his head, meeting her gaze. For a moment, he didn't say anything, then gave a small nod. "Yeah. Later."

Dalian lingered for half a second longer before turning away, focusing on helping Aunt Beatrice with the bags as they walked toward the house.

Jack remained standing there for a moment, watching her disappear inside before finally letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Then, shaking his head slightly, he turned on his heel and walked off into the night.

Jack walked with no real direction, his hands buried deep in his pockets, shoulders tense. The night was cold, but it barely registered—his mind was elsewhere, stuck in an endless replay.

That wasn't how it was supposed to go.

He had been right there. Right at the edge of saying it. But then—Aunt Beatrice. And just like that, the moment had been ripped away, slipping through his fingers before he could grasp it.

He let out a quiet, frustrated scoff, kicking at a loose pebble on the sidewalk. It skidded across the pavement, tumbling into the gutter. Just like that moment. Just like his chance.

Jack exhaled sharply through his nose, his brows drawing together. His usual confident stride had lost its ease; instead, his steps were heavier, lacking their usual rhythm. He kicked a small rock on the sidewalk, watching as it skidded ahead before bouncing into the gutter.

He let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head at himself. Maybe this was stupid. Maybe he was overthinking it. But still… he had wanted to say it tonight.

His fingers twitched inside his pockets, itching to run through his hair, to do something with the frustration that simmered beneath his skin. He had built himself up for it, had told himself it was just words—but now, walking alone under the dim glow of streetlights, it felt like he had let the moment slip right through his fingers.

Jack sighed, tilting his head up to the sky. The stars were faint, barely visible past the glow of the city.

"Later," he muttered under his breath, repeating her words to himself.

"Jack ran a hand down his face, exhaling. The words were still there, lodged in his chest, but now they had nowhere to go."

Maybe later would be better. Maybe he just needed to wait for the right moment.

With a small shake of his head, he pushed forward, his steps picking up pace as he disappeared into the quiet of the night.

As Dalian and Aunt Beatrice stepped into the house, the warmth of home greeted them, contrasting the cool air outside. The faint scent of spices lingered in the air, a reminder of earlier cooking.

"Let's get these put away," Aunt Beatrice said, adjusting the weight of the grocery bags in her hands.

Dalian nodded, setting her bags down on the kitchen counter before carefully unpacking the items. The quiet rustle of plastic and the occasional clink of jars filled the space between them. As she placed a carton of milk in the fridge.

As Dalian finished unpacking the groceries, she made her way to their shared room. The door creaked slightly as she stepped inside, finding Diane at her usual spot—her desk cluttered with books, pen in hand, deep in concentration. The soft glow of the lamp cast shadows over the pages, making the room feel quieter than it was.

Diane didn't look up immediately, flipping through a page before finally speaking. "Huh, I thought you were with him."

Dalian's fingers curled slightly around the edge of her sweater. She hesitated for half a second, then shrugged, keeping her voice neutral. "Yeah… he just left."

Diane hummed in acknowledgment, her pen tapping lightly against the paper. She didn't press further, but Dalian could feel the weight of unspoken words lingering between them.

Not wanting to dwell on it, Dalian grabbed her change of clothes and headed for the shower. The warm water cascaded over her skin, washing away the chill of the evening. Yet, no matter how much she tried, her mind kept circling back to earlier—to the way Jack had hesitated, to the way she'd rushed off before he could say whatever he had on his mind.

By the time she returned, dressed in comfortable clothes, the scent of spices filled the air. Aunt Beatrice was already at the stove, stirring a pot with practiced ease.

Without a word, Dalian stepped beside her, rolling up her sleeves before reaching for the cutting board.

Aunt Beatrice arched an eyebrow but handed her a knife nonetheless.

Dalian focused on the steady rhythm of slicing vegetables, letting the simple motions ground her. The warmth of the kitchen, the soft hum of simmering food, the familiar presence of her aunt—it was enough to keep her thoughts from wandering too much.

At least for now.

As they finished cooking, the rich aroma of spices filled the air. Aunt Beatrice wiped her hands on a kitchen towel while Dalian set the plates on the dining table.

"Diane!" Dalian called, her voice carrying through the house.

A few seconds later, Diane emerged from their room, stretching her arms as she made her way to the table. She sat down across from Dalian, barely glancing up as she reached for her fork.

Dinner passed in a quiet but comfortable rhythm. Diane focused on eating, occasionally responding to Aunt Beatrice's small talk, while Dalian picked at her food, her mind half-distracted.

Once they finished, Diane pushed her chair back, gathering her plate. "I'm going to study," she announced, heading toward their room without waiting for a response.

Dalian watched her go before turning back to Aunt Beatrice, who had already settled onto the couch in the parlor, her baby nestled against her. The faint sound of a TV drama played in the background, filling the space with soft dialogue and music.

Dalian sat beside her, leaning back with a quiet sigh, letting herself relax for the first time that evening.

Then, her phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen. A message from Jack.

Jack: Hey, just checking in. You good?

Dalian's lips pressed together for a brief second before she typed back.

Dalian: Yeah, I'm good. You?

The reply came almost instantly.

Jack: Same. Just thought I'd say hi.

A small smile tugged at her lips. Without realizing it, her fingers hovered over the keyboard a second longer than necessary.

After a few more exchanged messages, she stood up, stretching. "I'll be in my room," she murmured to Aunt Beatrice.

Her aunt only hummed in acknowledgment, too engrossed in her show to pay much attention.

Dalian slipped away, heading to her room, her phone still in hand, their conversation continuing as she closed the door behind her.

As soon as Dalian closed the door behind her, her phone rang. Without thinking, she picked up instantly, expecting it to be Jack.

"Hey—"

"Ohh, someone's eager," Lydia's teasing voice came through the line.

Dalian blinked, momentarily thrown off. A flicker of disappointment crossed her face before she shook it off. "Oh, it's you."

"Wow. That's rude." Lydia snickered. "Were you expecting someone else, hmm?"

Dalian rolled her eyes, walking over to sit on her bed. "What do you want, Lydia?"

"I can't wait for tomorrow, but I'm too impatient, so you better start telling me now."

"Telling you what?"

"Oh, don't play dumb," Lydia huffed. "Did you confess? What did Jack say? Did he confess too?!"

Dalian groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Lydia—"

"I knew it! He did, didn't he? Oh my God, I can't believe I missed it. You have no idea how—"

"Lydia," Dalian cut in firmly. "Nothing happened."

Silence.

Then Lydia gasped dramatically. "Wait. You chickened out?"

"I didn't—" Dalian paused, sighing. "We didn't get the chance to talk. Aunt Beatrice showed up, and I had to help her, so…"

Lydia groaned loudly. "Ugh, Dalian! You had one job!"

Dalian flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah, well, not everything goes as planned."

"Okay, okay, it's fine. Tomorrow. No distractions. No interruptions. You're going to talk to him," Lydia insisted. "Got it?"

Dalian exhaled. "We'll see."

"No. Not 'we'll see.' You will."

Dalian bit back a small smile at her friend's determination. "Goodnight, Lydia."

"I'm not done—"

Dalian hung up, shaking her head.

Her gaze flickered back to her phone for a second. No new messages.

With a quiet sigh, she placed it on her nightstand and rolled onto her side, staring at the wall, lost in thought.

Dalian lay there for a while, her thoughts drifting as she absentmindedly traced patterns on her pillow. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the night outside. Even Diane, who usually stayed up late with her books, had already settled into silence.

She reached for her phone again, hesitating for a second before unlocking it. No new messages.

Not that she was waiting for one.

With a small shake of her head, she placed it back on the nightstand and pulled the blanket over her. Tomorrow. Lydia was right—she couldn't keep putting this off.

The thought made her stomach twist slightly, but she pushed it aside. It wasn't that serious… right?

Letting out a deep breath, she shut her eyes. Tomorrow.