Chapter 20: Lines in the Sand

The next few days felt like they stretched on forever, even though nothing really changed. Iris went about her usual routine: working on her personal projects, hanging out with Luke when he wasn't busy with Apollo's rehearsals, and catching up on her favorite TV shows. The rhythm of her life felt familiar, comfortable, but something in her still lingered, waiting for something she couldn't quite put into words.

She spent most of her time at Luke's, her favorite place to be. There was something about the way he made everything feel effortless—like nothing needed to be forced. His casual attitude, the way he was always ready with a joke or a random adventure, made her feel alive in ways she hadn't expected.

But then, as she lay in bed one night, staring at the ceiling, she realized how much of herself she had been hiding. Not just from Luke, but from everyone. She had always been good at masking her true feelings—always careful, always polite. But with him, it felt like the line between comfort and something more was getting blurrier every day.

That night, she couldn't stop thinking about him. His smile. His laugh. His casual touches—his hand brushing hers when they walked side by side, or when he would squeeze her shoulder in a playful gesture. All of it seemed so… normal. But was it?

Iris was at Luke's place again the next day. He was finishing up some work at his desk, his focus intense as he tapped away on his laptop. She was sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone, half-paying attention to him. A comfortable silence filled the room.

"Hey," she said, glancing up at him with a grin. "You look way too serious. What's up?"

Luke didn't look up immediately. He kept typing, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Just some stuff with Apollo. You know, scheduling, practice times, that kind of thing."

"Mm," Iris hummed, "I don't know how you do it. Balancing everything. I would go crazy if I had to deal with all of that."

He chuckled, finally pushing his chair back and glancing at her. "It's all part of the job. You get used to it."

"I guess so," she said, tapping her phone screen absently. "You know, it's crazy to think that I'm here, living in South Korea, hanging out with you. I mean, it feels like it's been months since I first arrived, and I've already done so many things I never thought I would. Ride motorcycles, go on random adventures, meet your family, and now… just spending time with you."

Luke raised an eyebrow, his gaze softer than usual. "What's so crazy about that?"

"I don't know," she replied with a laugh, though it was tinged with a hint of something else. "It just feels like so much has happened in such a short time. Like, I've had more fun these past few months than I've had in... well, ever."

Luke leaned back in his chair, resting his arms behind his head as he studied her with a faint smile. "I'm glad to hear that. It's been a blast having you around."

His words were simple, but something in them made Iris pause. Her heart gave a little flutter, and she couldn't quite place why. Was it the way he said it, like it meant something more than just a casual compliment? Or was it just that she was starting to feel more for him than she cared to admit?

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from one of the members of Apollo, asking Luke to meet them for a quick meeting. She groaned, tossing her phone aside.

"That sounds like fun," Iris said, sitting up. "I guess I'll be the third wheel again."

Luke laughed and stood up, stretching his long limbs. "You're never a third wheel. You're like the unofficial eighth member of Apollo. They love you."

Iris smiled, though her mind couldn't stop replaying their last conversation. You're like the unofficial eighth member of Apollo. It had been a joke, but she wondered if there was more truth to it than he let on.

"Alright, alright, I'm heading out," Luke said, grabbing his jacket. "But I'll be back later. We can grab dinner or something if you're free."

"Sounds good," Iris said, trying to keep her tone light. "I'll be here."

Luke flashed her one last grin before heading out the door, leaving Iris alone with her thoughts. She leaned back into the couch, closing her eyes for a moment, but the silence felt heavier now. She tried to tell herself it was nothing. That he was just a friend. But somehow, it felt like more. And she didn't know what to do with that feeling.

Later that night, Luke returned as promised. He was in a lighter mood, teasing her about the ridiculous movie choices she'd been making on Netflix.

"I swear, you've watched this one already," he said, pointing at the screen. "How many times do you need to watch the same rom-com?"

"I like it, alright?" Iris retorted, sticking her tongue out at him. "It's comforting."

"Comforting?" Luke laughed, settling down beside her on the couch. "If I watched this kind of stuff, I'd need to go into therapy afterward."

"Hey!" Iris gave him a playful shove. "Some of us like a little lighthearted fluff."

Luke raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. You're right. I'll keep my judgment to myself."

They settled in for the movie, but Iris couldn't stop the constant buzzing in her chest. The laughter, the teasing, the easy conversation—they all felt like more than just friendship. It was the way he looked at her sometimes, the warmth in his smile, the way he would accidentally brush her hand or shoulder in the middle of a conversation. She tried to ignore it, to chalk it up to her overactive imagination, but it wasn't easy.

After the movie ended, they sat in silence for a moment, both of them lost in their own thoughts.

Iris was the first to speak, her voice soft. "Do you ever think about... what happens next?"

Luke glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Iris said, shrugging lightly. "Like, where do we go from here? We're just... hanging out, right?"

Luke didn't answer immediately. He was quiet for a moment, looking at her in a way that made her heart skip. "Yeah," he said finally. "We're just hanging out."

But even as he said it, there was something in his eyes that made Iris wonder. Was that all they were? Was that all he saw her as?

She shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss the thoughts. "I'm probably just overthinking things," she muttered, standing up to grab her bag. "I'll see you later, Luke. Thanks for tonight."

He stood up too, walking her to the door. "Anytime, sunshine," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper.

And as she walked out the door, Iris couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. But what, exactly, she couldn't say.