Friday came fast.
Earlier that week, during lunch, Kellan had a tense encounter with Molly. She'd clung to him again, as she usually did, just when he was seated with Axel and Jace. Dashley and Celine weren't around—they had other engagements that day.
"Hey, Kellan," Molly chirped, sliding into the seat beside him with a forced cheerfulness. "Hey, Axel. Jace."
"Hey, Molly. Lily's not with you today?" Jace asked in his usual laid-back tone.
"She's busy," Molly replied, then turned to Kellan with all her focus. "So… are you going to the McCarthy's party tomorrow?"
"You should already know," Kellan said evenly, sipping his drink.
"I mean, your family's definitely invited," she smiled sweetly, "but you don't always attend, so…"
"Funny you figured that out, and still went around telling the entire school you're my date," he said, his tone sharper than before.
Molly's face faltered. "You never used to care when I did that. So why now?"
"Because from now on, I won't tolerate it. I've let a lot slide with you, Molly, but that ends here."
"Why now, huh?" Her voice rose, and more people started to turn in their seats. "Is it because of her? Is it because of that new—"
"Molly." Axel's warning was low but sharp.
Molly rolled her eyes and smirked. "The new girl, huh? That's why?"
Kellan didn't respond. His silence said more than words could.
Seeing his expression, Molly leaned in with a snake-like grin and whispered something in his ear that made his face harden instantly. Whatever it was, it clearly struck a nerve.
Then she stood and walked away from the table, leaving behind a tense silence.
Kellan followed moments later, jaw tight, eyes unreadable—but simmering beneath the surface.
"Well… that was intense," Jace finally muttered, giving a nervous laugh.
Axel didn't respond. His eyes were still locked on the doorway Kellan had disappeared through, troubled by his friend's reaction.
Back in the present, Dashley and Celine were walking home after classes.
"Don't forget, no excuses, okay?" Celine said for the tenth time. "You're showing up at that party. I don't care what comes up."
"What if something really does come up?" Dashley teased.
"I'm still dragging you there. If I wasn't so busy tomorrow, I'd pick you up myself."
"You're forgetting I have a date."
"Oh right. Axel." Celine grinned.
She dropped Dashley at home, and Dashley quickly changed into her work clothes for her shift at the restaurant.
After the night Kellan walked her home, Williams had begged her to quit. But Dashley refused—determined to keep her job. Eventually, they compromised: whenever her shift ended, she would text him, and he'd come pick her up.
Though, lately, Kellan had been beating him to it—showing up every night, sitting quietly at the same table until closing, walking her outside… but never mentioning their almost-kiss.
They'd gone back to their usual dynamic at school—awkward silence, unresolved tension, and eyes that said everything their lips wouldn't.
Dashley's shift was halfway through when a familiar figure walked in.
"Celine?" she whispered in surprise.
Celine gave her a wide grin from across the room. Dashley hurried over to her table.
"You didn't say you were coming!"
"That would've ruined the surprise. Besides, I came to support my friend."
"Ma'am," Dashley bowed dramatically. "What will you be having?"
Once her food arrived, Dashley dropped it off and moved to the next table. A few moments later, she saw him walk in.
Kellan.
He took his usual seat—far back, quiet, detached. But she noticed the way his eyes followed her, even if just briefly.
If this continues, she thought, they'll start naming that seat after him.
She didn't need to ask who she'd be serving—somehow, she always ended up as his waitress.
As Dashley walked back to Celine to check on her, Celine leaned over.
"The food's good," she said, "though your chefs need to up their sauce game."
"I'll let them know."
"And Kellan?" she gestured with her chin. "He's here again?"
"He comes in a lot."
"You sure he's not just here for you?"
"Celine!" Dashley hissed, cheeks warming, even though she knew her friend was right.
"I'm just saying—you two? Fire. You'll make a great couple."
"Yeah? Like you and Jace?"
"I don't like Jace!"
"Mmhmm," Dashley smirked.
Celine left smiling, and Dashley returned to her shift, but couldn't help glancing at Kellan every now and then.
By 11:15 p.m., the restaurant was closing. Dashley texted her dad, shoved her phone into her bag, and headed toward Kellan.
"I'm heading out," she said softly.
He nodded and followed her outside.
They stood quietly by the restaurant's wall, the cool night breeze wrapping around them. The street was mostly quiet, save for the hum of distant cars and flickering streetlights.
"You know," she finally said, "you don't have to keep doing this. My dad picks me up. You can stop waiting."
"I told you I'd walk you home," he said without looking at her. "Since your dad insists, the least I can do is wait with you."
"I just mean… you don't have to."
"I'm not going back on my word, Ley."
That made her pause. His voice wasn't defensive—it was sincere. Firm, but gentle. She didn't know what to say, so she looked away.
More silence.
Then, suddenly—
"Molly's not my date for tomorrow."
The words caught her off guard.
"…Okay?" she said, unsure how to respond.
A beat passed.
"I haven't forgotten," he added, quieter now.
"Forgotten what?" she asked.
He turned to face her. "The first night I walked you home…"
Her breath caught.
"…Our almost kiss."
Her heart stuttered. "W-what about it?"
"I think about it. A lot." He took a slow step closer. "If that damn cat hadn't interrupted, we would've gone through with it."
He raised a hand and brushed a stray curl from her face, his touch featherlight. His eyes never left hers.
"I wonder what it would've felt like—what you would've tasted like," he whispered, voice low and deep. "I wonder what would've happened next… after we pulled away to breathe."
Her body stilled under his gaze. The way he looked at her made the air thicken, the world grow smaller.
"Tell me," he said, barely above a whisper. "Am I the only one thinking about it?"
"Kellan…" she breathed, her voice trembling as his fingers gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
Just when their faces were inches apart—
"Dashley!"
Her dad's voice cut through the moment like a blade.
"Dad," she called back, stepping away quickly, her heart still racing.
Kellan stepped back too, jaw tight. The tension between them was undeniable—but broken now by the reality waiting behind her.
Williams walked up, offering a smile to his daughter, then turned a sharp eye to the boy beside her.
Kellan nodded respectfully. "Good night, sir."
Williams simply gave a stiff nod in return, but his gaze lingered.
"See you tomorrow, Ley," Kellan said quietly, and turned to walk away into the night.
Dashley watched him go, her stomach a storm of butterflies.
So much unsaid…
And yet, so much more felt.