CHAPTER NINE

As they walked down the dimly lit road, the streetlights casting inky shadows around them, silence lingered between Dashley and Kellan.

"So, you stayed to walk me home?" Dashley asked finally, her voice light but curious.

"It'd be bad if something happened to you. Axel wouldn't let me off the hook," Kellan replied.

"Really?" she said, clearly skeptical. "So if Axel was available, you wouldn't mind him walking me home instead? You're just covering for him since he's busy today, right?"

"I already said I'd be walking you home from now on," he said firmly. "So, no—Axel won't be doing that. And I'm not covering for anyone."

"If you say so."

Kellan gave her a brief side glance, then looked ahead again, his mind slipping into thought.

"So… you're going as Axel's date to the McCarthy party, huh?" he asked.

"Yeah. I didn't think he'd actually ask me though," she answered casually, not noticing how Kellan's expression darkened.

"If someone else had asked, would you have said yes too?"

"I don't think so. I'm not that close to anyone else for them to even ask." She shrugged. "I'm just glad it's someone familiar. Otherwise, it'd be super awkward." She gave a small laugh, which earned only a low hum from Kellan.

"So… who are you going with?" she asked, turning the question on him.

"Huh?" He blinked, caught off guard.

"To the party. Who's your date?"

"Uh, no one. I'm not going with anyone."

"Really? But that girl who always trails behind you kept saying she was your tag-along."

"Molly?"

"Yeah. Her."

Earlier that day at school, Molly had made it painfully clear—loud enough for Dashley to hear—that she was going as Kellan's date. She made sure to mention it anytime Dashley was nearby. That was how Dashley had found out in the first place.

So why is he denying it now? she wondered.

Meanwhile, Kellan's jaw tightened at the mention of Molly.

"I'm not going with her," he said, this time with more force.

"Okay? But why are you getting so worked up? She's your friend, isn't she? It wouldn't be that bad to go with her. Just like me and Axel," she added, though a part of her didn't like the idea one bit.

"You want me to?" He stopped walking and turned to face her, eyes narrowing slightly.

Dashley flinched under his sudden gaze. "It's your choice," she said quickly. "I can't stop you if that's what you want." She turned to keep walking.

Kellan stood still for a moment, then called out, "So… you do want to stop me?"

She froze but didn't turn around.

"What if I wanted you to decide for me?" he asked, stepping closer.

Dashley stood rooted as he approached. He turned to face her, eyes locking onto hers. "Do you really want me to go with her, Ley?"

Her breath hitched. She stared into his stormy grey eyes, losing herself in them. They were striking in the low light, almost glowing. Kellan had intended to catch her emotions—to trap her in the moment. What he didn't expect was to get trapped himself.

Neither of them looked away. Without realizing it, they were both leaning in—slowly, hesitantly. Kellan's eyes flickered down to her lips, then back to her eyes. Then again.

Their lips brushed—soft, featherlight, and fleeting.

Dashley's eyes flew open as she felt it. Kellan was just about to deepen the kiss, his eyes falling shut when—

Meow.

A stray cat darted out from the side of the road, meowing loudly.

Dashley jerked back, blinking rapidly, heart racing. She turned quickly and began walking away, her pace brisk.

Kellan muttered under his breath, glaring at the cat.

"Damn cat."

The rest of the walk was quiet. Neither of them dared bring up what had just happened—or almost happened.

They arrived at her house a few minutes past eleven. Her father, Williams, was waiting outside, arms crossed and visibly upset. His expression hardened the moment he saw her approaching with Kellan beside her.

"Where were you?" he snapped. "Why are you just getting back with some boy? Do you know how worried I was?"

"I told you, Dad," Dashley said as she neared. "I mentioned I was starting my new job today. And I even wrote a note because I knew you'd forget."

"What note?" he asked, clearly confused.

"Seriously? I left it on the table. I should've known you wouldn't see it," she sighed.

"Well, you can't blame me. You just disappeared. I got scared." His voice softened, though he didn't say what was really on his mind: I thought they had taken you away.

"I'm fine, Dad. Nothing happened."

"Are you going to be this late every night?"

"Unfortunately, yes," she said, exhaling tiredly.

Williams then looked at Kellan, who stood quietly nearby.

"And who's this?" he asked.

Dashley hesitated. "This is Kellan. He's… a friend from school. And Kellan, this is my dad."

"What's your classmate doing with you this late?"

"He was at the restaurant and offered to walk me home," she explained.

Kellan stepped forward slightly. "Hello, sir. I'm Kellan—Dashley's friend."

Williams stared at him, his expression unreadable. Something about the boy didn't sit right with him. There was a tension—a strange energy. He couldn't explain it, but he didn't like it. Still, he kept his suspicion to himself.

"Well… thanks for walking her home," he said curtly. Then turning to Dashley, "We'll talk more about your job tomorrow."

"Okay, Dad. Just not tonight—I'm exhausted."

"Fair enough." He gave a tight smile before glancing back at Kellan. "You can go now. And again, thanks."

"It wasn't a big deal," Kellan replied. Then, turning to Dashley, "See you tomorrow, Ley."

She gave him a faint nod, watching him walk away. Her heart was still fluttering, her mind spinning with thoughts of what almost happened.

Williams, standing beside her, was thinking too—but of something entirely different.

There's something off about that boy, he thought grimly. He's not just some ordinary friend.