Aria's POV 

Going back to school the next morning feels like I'm walking through a fog. The hallway looks the same, but everything feels different. Yesterday, I couldn't bring myself to face anyone. Not Jack, not Eli, not Brent. Knowing they all know about the moon pool—my secret place—left me feeling more exposed than I ever expected. And Jack... I'm still not sure how to feel about him. He walked away from me once. What's stopping him from doing it again?

As I weave through the crowd, trying to stay unnoticed, I feel Brooke's eyes on me. It doesn't take long for her to make her move. Her shoulder slams into mine, hard, sending a jolt through me.

"Watch it, freak," she snaps, her voice cold and sharp.

I don't say anything. I just keep walking, pretending her words don't sting as much as they do. I head straight to my locker, trying to shake off the tightness in my chest. I've got bigger things to worry about today—like the fact that Jack and I are supposed to present our Getting to Know Your Classmate project in front of everyone.

My stomach twists at the thought. Jack knows more about me than anyone else in this class, and yet, I'm still not sure what he's going to say.

The time comes, and I stand at the front of the classroom, doing my best to keep my voice steady as I talk about Jack. It's easy to stick to the surface stuff—his football achievements, his perfect family, the things everyone already knows about him. I keep it light, simple. But when Jack steps up to present about me, I feel every nerve in my body go on high alert.

He starts speaking, his voice calm and confident, but as he goes on, I realize he's saying something more. He talks about me without giving anything away, but there's a depth to his words that only I can feel. He mentions how I'm quieter than most, how I see things others don't, and how sometimes, the people who say the least have the most to offer.

His words hit me hard, but not in the way I expected. He's careful—protective, even—saying just enough without revealing anything too personal. It's like he's figured out how to describe me without letting anyone else in on my secrets.

I stare at him, my breath catching in my throat. How did he do that? How did he manage to talk about me like he knows more than I've ever told him, while still keeping my walls intact?

Ms. Daniels gives us an A, but I barely hear her. All I can think about is how Jack pulled that off.

He turns to me, mouthing, Good job. I nod, my mind still spinning from what just happened. Somehow, Jack found a way to talk about me that felt deeper than I was ready for—yet he didn't betray me. He didn't reveal anything I wasn't ready to share.

After class, I head to the library, needing space to process everything. But Jack catches up with me, walking beside me like it's the most natural thing in the world. We're friends now, I guess. At least, that's what it feels like. He knows my secret. He knows more about me than anyone else. But I'm still not sure what to do with that.

We find a quiet corner, sitting across from each other. I try to focus on my book, but I can feel Jack's presence across from me, the space between us filled with unspoken words. I fidget with my moon ring, twisting it around my finger, trying to keep my nerves under control.

Jack notices, of course. He always does.

"Babygirl," he says, his voice low and teasing, "stop playing with your ring. I can tell you're nervous."

The word babygirl hits me like a shock, and I freeze. My fingers stop moving, and I glance up at him, confused. Babygirl? Did he just call me that? Why?

I narrow my eyes at him, but Jack just sits there, leaning back with a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. He definitely did that on purpose.

My cheeks heat up, and I know he's waiting for me to react, but I force myself to stay calm. He wants me to question it, wants me to overthink it. And maybe I am. But I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

Jack just smiles to himself, clearly enjoying my confusion. He's testing me—pushing the boundaries of whatever this is between us. And I hate how easily he gets under my skin.

The silence stretches between us, but it's not uncomfortable. It's charged. It's like we're both waiting for something, even if we don't know what that something is.

I fidget with my ring again, more out of habit than nerves now, but Jack's eyes don't leave me. There's something in the way he looks at me, something that feels different. It's like he's seeing more than just the quiet girl sitting across from him—like he's starting to see all the pieces of me, even the ones I'm not ready to show.

And that scares me. But at the same time... it doesn't.

<>

Jack's POV 

The second Aria walks into class, I can tell she's not herself. She's moving like she's trying to disappear—head down, quiet, like she wants to blend into the walls. After everything that happened yesterday, I don't blame her. I can still feel the weirdness of yesterday too—being in her secret place, the moon pool, knowing something about her that most people never will.

I know she's still guarded with me. And why wouldn't she be? I walked away from her once before, left her standing there when she trusted me. I didn't mean to, but I did, and now there's this distance between us that I'm trying to figure out how to close.

I catch a glimpse of Brooke shooting Aria one of her classic glares. And just like clockwork, Brooke bumps her shoulder hard into Aria's as she walks by, muttering something I can't hear, but I know it's not good.

Aria keeps her head down, just like she always does. She doesn't say anything, doesn't react. But I see the way her posture tightens, like she's used to taking hits like that. It pisses me off, but I know now isn't the time to step in. I'll deal with Brooke later if I have to.

Class starts, and it's time for us to present our Getting to Know Your Classmate projects. Aria goes first. She talks about me like you'd expect—keeping it to football and surface-level stuff. I can tell she's nervous, though. I wonder if she thinks I'm going to spill her secrets when it's my turn. The thought of that hits me harder than I expect. I don't want her to think I'd do that.

When it's my turn to present, I make sure to tread carefully. I talk about Aria, but I'm careful with my words, making sure I don't reveal anything she's not ready to share. I mention how she's quieter than most, but how that makes her notice things others don't. I talk about how sometimes people who keep to themselves have the most to offer when you really pay attention. It's subtle, but I know she understands what I'm saying.

I glance over at her as I talk, and there's a look in her eyes that tells me I'm getting it right. She's surprised, maybe a little caught off guard, but not in a bad way. I keep going, making sure to balance it—just enough to show I've been paying attention to her without giving away what she doesn't want people to know.

When I'm done, Ms. Daniels gives us both an A, and I turn to Aria, mouthing, Good job. She nods, but there's something different in the way she looks at me now. It's like she's seeing me differently, too. Maybe, just maybe, she's starting to trust me again.

After class, I catch up to her as she heads to the library. She's quiet, but she doesn't push me away when I fall into step next to her. We walk in silence, but it's not uncomfortable. It feels like we're both figuring out how to navigate this new thing between us—whatever it is.

We sit across from each other at one of the library's small tables, and I can't help but notice how tense she still seems. Her fingers are twisting that moon ring around and around, and I know she's nervous, even though she's trying to act like she's fine.

I lean forward, letting my voice drop lower. "Babygirl, stop playing with your ring. I can tell you're nervous."

She freezes, and I can see her mind racing, trying to figure out if I really just called her that. Her fingers stop moving, and she looks up at me with those wide, confused eyes. I can't help but smirk. Yeah, I did that on purpose.

She narrows her eyes at me, but I don't back down. I just lean back in my chair, enjoying the reaction. She's flustered, and I can tell she's trying to brush it off, but I got under her skin. That's exactly what I wanted.

I can feel the heat between us, that unspoken tension that's been there for a while now, but it's different today. I think she's starting to realize that I'm not just going to walk away this time. And yeah, I called her "babygirl" because I knew it'd get a reaction, but also because I wanted to see how she'd handle it. She's still trying to keep me at arm's length, but I'm pushing back, bit by bit.

She goes back to fidgeting with her ring, probably trying to distract herself, but I keep watching her. There's something about the way she's acting, the way she's letting me in, even if she doesn't realize it. It's like she's giving me a little more of herself, piece by piece, without meaning to. And I don't mind waiting for the rest.

I lean forward again, letting my gaze settle on her. She hasn't looked up from her ring, but I know she can feel the weight of my stare.

"Aria," I say softly, making her pause for just a second. "You don't have to be nervous around me."

Her fingers slow down, and she finally looks up at me, her eyes narrowing slightly, like she's trying to figure me out. But she doesn't say anything, just studies me in that way she does when she's trying to decide if she can trust someone. I can feel the shift between us. It's slow, but it's happening. She's letting me in.

I smile to myself, but I don't push her any further. Not yet.

For now, I'm just going to sit here and let her come to terms with the fact that maybe, just maybe, I'm not going anywhere.

The hallway buzzes with its usual chaos—lockers slamming, people shouting, voices overlapping into one loud mess. It's the same scene, but today, something's different. Aria's walking toward us, slower than usual, like she's hesitating. That's not like her. Normally, she just slips by, head down, staying in the background.

Eli spots her first. "Hey, Aria," he calls out, his tone easy-going as usual. "What's up?"

She fidgets with the strap of her bag, her eyes flicking between the three of us. There's something nervous in the way she's moving, like she's not sure she should be talking to us. It's weird seeing her like this—uncertain, almost vulnerable.

"I... wanted to ask you guys something," she finally says, her voice soft, almost too quiet.

I stop messing with my locker and turn fully toward her. Whatever this is, it's serious. Then I feel it—her hand brushing against mine, just for a second. It's light, probably an accident, but it sends a spark through me. She doesn't seem to notice, but I sure as hell do.

"I was scrolling through TikTok a few weeks ago," she begins, her eyes flicking between us, lingering on me a little longer. "I came across this video. Someone posted about seeing a girl with... water powers. At first, I thought it was just some viral prank, but something about it felt off."

Her hand brushes mine again, and I tense, trying to keep my cool. Eli and Brent don't seem to notice, but I'm hyper-aware of every small movement she makes. Her voice is shaky, and I can tell she's uncomfortable sharing this.

"I tried to find it again," she continues, her words picking up speed like she's rushing to get them out before she changes her mind. "After school, I searched for it, but it was gone. Completely fucking deleted."

That catches me off guard. It's rare for Aria to swear, and it shows just how much this is getting to her. Her voice drops, and the weight of her words sinks in. She's not just talking about some random video—this is something personal.

"So, I started doing research," she says, her fingers brushing mine again. "That's when I found Waves and Whispers."

Brent tilts his head, looking curious but casual. "The creepy shop by the coast? What about it?"

Aria nods, her hand still barely brushing against mine. "They had these old books on mermaids. I found stuff about moon rings."

"Moon rings?" Brent raises an eyebrow. "You mean, like magic rings?"

Aria lets out a breath, her nerves showing through. "Yeah... something like that. They were these ancient rings that stored moonlight. They could help mermaids manipulate water, cast spells, even give them legs. But they've been extinct for over 5,000 years."

"Extinct?" Eli's interest is clearly piqued.

Aria's voice steadies, but I can still hear the tension in it. "Yeah, they disappeared along with the mermaids. The rings only worked in places that could receive full moonlight. And once they ran out of power, they had to be recharged by the full moon or other objects that stored moonlight, like a trident."

Her hand brushes mine again, and it's driving me crazy, but I'm focused on what she's saying. This isn't just random trivia—it's important to her. I can hear it in her voice, see it in the way she's gripping her bag.

"I didn't think much of it at first," she continues, "but the more I looked into it, the more connections I found. The TikTok video, the moon rings, the mermaid history... it's all tied together somehow. But no matter how hard I've looked, I keep hitting dead ends."

Brent nods, clearly intrigued now. "So what's the deal with Waves and Whispers? Think the shop's got more?"

Aria pulls her hand away from mine, and I feel the absence immediately. Her hand tightens around her bag strap, her nerves starting to get the better of her again. "I don't know. Maybe. The shop had books about everything—mermaid lore, magic, and... this thing called the Enchantment Song."

"The Enchantment Song?" Eli echoes.

Aria hesitates, glancing between us before speaking. "It's a song mermaids used to sing. It doesn't control people, but it makes them follow you. Sirens used it to lure sailors to crash onto rocks. It's... dangerous. Forbidden."

There's a heaviness in the air now, like the weight of her words just sank in. I glance at her, feeling that protective instinct flare up inside me. She's sharing a lot, more than I think she'd normally tell anyone. And it's making me realize just how much deeper this goes than I thought.

Eli lets out a low whistle. "That's some dark shit. So, what now? What's your next move?"

"I don't know," Aria says, her voice soft. "I guess I thought maybe you guys could help. I've hit so many dead ends."

Brent shrugs. "We could check out Waves and Whispers again. That woman who runs the place probably knows some weird shit. Worth a shot."

I shoot Brent a look, trying to keep my voice calm but firm. "Brent, this isn't just some casual shop trip."

He raises his hands in mock surrender. "Chill, man. I get it. I'm just saying—if Aria's looking for answers, that place is a good start."

I glance at Aria. She's quiet now, probably second-guessing whether she should've told us all this. I want to tell her she doesn't have to handle it alone, but I hold back. This is her call, not mine.

"I'll think about it," she says after a long pause. Her voice is quieter now, and she looks at me for a moment, like she's searching for reassurance. I give her a nod, hoping she knows I'm here if she needs me.

As she turns to leave, I feel the weight of everything she just told us hanging in the air. There's more going on than some deleted TikTok and old books. And whatever it is, it's just the beginning.

<>

Aria's POV

I slam my locker shut, the metallic clang echoing louder than I intended. I've been on edge all day, desperate for some alone time. I already decided I'd head to The Cozy Corner—just me, my coffee, and some much-needed space to clear my head. It's my sanctuary when everything feels too loud, too close.

But before I can even start walking away, I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Hey."

I nearly jump, spinning around to see Jack standing there, leaning casually against the lockers. He's got that easy smile on his face, like he didn't just completely catch me off guard. My heart picks up a little, but I try to keep my expression neutral.

"Where you headed?" he asks, like it's the most normal thing in the world for him to be here, talking to me.

"I, uh... I'm going home. Maybe to The Cozy Corner afterward," I say, trying to sound casual. I grip the strap of my bag tighter, feeling the sudden weight of the conversation pressing down on me.

He raises an eyebrow. "Maybe?"

I shrug, avoiding his eyes. "Yeah, it's been a long day. I could use some time alone."

Jack doesn't move, his eyes studying me for a second longer than I'm comfortable with. "What if we made plans this weekend? Go back to Waves and Whispers? We could look into more of that moon ring stuff."

The idea of returning to Waves and Whispers makes my stomach twist in knots. There's too much I don't understand yet, too much that could go wrong. But today, I just want to get coffee, no deep dives into ancient mermaid lore. I force a smile.

"I just... want to get coffee today," I say, trying to keep it light. "Nothing complicated."

Jack's grin widens. "I'll come with you."

My heart skips a beat. "You don't have to," I reply quickly, fumbling for an excuse. "Don't you have football practice or something?"

He shakes his head, still looking too relaxed for my liking. "No practice today."

I press my lips together, trying to come up with something, anything, to push him away. "But... you should be practicing anyway, right? I mean, next year is senior year. You've got scouts watching, and colleges—"

"Aria," Jack interrupts gently, his voice steady, but firm. "I know what you're trying to do. But I want to hang out with you." He straightens up from the lockers, his gaze locked on mine. "So, coffee sounds good."

Something in his tone makes my breath catch. He knows. He sees through my excuses, through all the walls I've been trying to keep up, and yet... he's still here. It's like he's decided he's not going anywhere, no matter how many times I try to push him away. My mind scrambles for a response, but nothing comes.

Jack's already walking off toward the parking lot, throwing a casual, "I'll drive," over his shoulder like it's no big deal. Like we've done this a million times before.

I stand there for a second, staring after him, feeling like I'm caught in a whirlwind. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm not supposed to be... spending time with him. Not like this. My plan was simple—stay invisible, stay safe. But Jack? He's not making it easy. He never does.

I hesitate, my feet rooted to the floor. Everything in me screams to turn around, go the other way, keep my distance. That's what I do—I keep people at arm's length because trusting them? Letting them in? That only leads to getting hurt.

But then, there's Jack. He's different. He doesn't take no for an answer, not when it comes to me. And it scares me. More than I want to admit.

I should say no, I think, but even as the thought crosses my mind, my feet are moving toward him. There's something about the way he said, "I want to hang out with you," that I can't shake. Like he's not just saying it to be nice. Like he actually means it.

"Come on, Aria," Jack calls, his grin widening as I catch up. "You're not backing out now, are you?"

I roll my eyes, more out of habit than actual annoyance. "You're persistent, you know that?"

He shrugs, not even trying to hide the satisfaction in his voice. "What can I say? I don't give up easily."

There's a tension between us now, unspoken but undeniable. The more time I spend with him, the harder it gets to keep my walls up. I don't know why he cares so much or why he's bothering to stick around, but every time he looks at me like that—like I'm more than the girl hiding behind the books and vlogs—it messes with my head.

I shouldn't let him in.

But when he opens the passenger door to his car and gestures for me to get in, I find myself slipping inside without a word. My heart's still pounding, and I can't tell if it's from nerves or something else entirely.

As he climbs into the driver's seat and starts the engine, I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. There's something about the way he looks at me, like he sees more than I'm ready for him to see. Like he's waiting for me to figure it out.

We drive in silence for a while, the air between us thick with everything left unsaid. I can feel my hands tightening on my bag, my pulse quickening every time I glance his way. This is new territory—uncharted and unpredictable.

And yet... I don't hate it.

When we finally pull into the parking lot of The Cozy Corner, I feel that familiar sense of comfort washing over me. But it's different this time. Jack's here. And as much as I want to hold onto the walls I've built, I can feel them cracking just a little bit.

I get out of the car, my breath catching as Jack walks beside me, close but not too close. There's something between us, something I can't quite name. I'm still scared. I'm still unsure if I can trust him, but... maybe I'm willing to try.

Just this once.

"Hey, can we stop by my house real quick?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. The knot in my stomach tightens, but I brush it off. I don't know why asking Jack to come by feels like such a big deal, but it does.

He looks at me, eyebrows raised in surprise for a second before he nods. "Sure, no problem."

As we pull up to my house, I feel the familiar weight pressing down on my chest. The house is silent—too silent. I know it's empty before I even walk in. It always is. It's easier that way, I guess, but it doesn't stop that tiny pang of loneliness from creeping in.

"I'll be back in a minute," I say, stepping out of the car before Jack has a chance to respond. I don't want him asking questions, don't want him to see too much of my world. It's easier to keep those lines drawn.

The silence inside is almost suffocating as I head to my room, my steps soft, like I'm tiptoeing through my own life. I grab a white sweater dress, camel coat, and over-the-knee suede boots from my closet. Something about dressing up in my "outside self" helps me feel like I'm putting on armor. It's a version of me I've created, one that feels confident, even if I'm not always sure of it.

I grab my Ray-Bans and slip them into my shoulder bag before heading to the mirror. My reflection stares back, familiar but somehow distant. This version of me, the one that puts on contact lenses and carefully applies makeup, feels like someone else sometimes. It's a look I've crafted—a shield. But the fact that Jack is going to see this side of me? That makes me feel... exposed.

I quickly do my makeup—just enough to feel put together. Concealer, a touch of mascara, and a nude lip. Nothing too bold. I top it off with a beanie hat, adjusting it until it feels just right.

Why do I care so much what he thinks? I sigh, grabbing my phone. It's just Jack. But the flutter in my chest as I think about him waiting outside tells me it's not just Jack anymore. I want to brush that thought away, but it sticks like a thorn in my side.

As I step outside and walk toward the car, I can already feel his eyes on me. Jack is leaning casually against the driver's side door, that easygoing smile playing on his lips. But it's different this time—there's something in his gaze, like he's noticing something new. I can feel the tension between us before I even reach him.

"What?" I ask, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrays me, a little too sharp, a little too defensive.

Jack just shakes his head, his smile widening as he watches me. "Nothing," he says, but the look in his eyes says otherwise. There's a softness in his expression, like he's seeing more of me than I'm ready for him to see.

I narrow my eyes at him, suddenly self-conscious. "What?" I repeat, my hands gripping my bag tighter. His silence is making me nervous.

He chuckles softly, pushing off the car and opening the passenger door for me. "I just didn't expect this," he says, his voice lower now. He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. "You look... different. In a good way."

My heart skips a beat at the way he says it, and I feel my face heat up. Different. I don't know why that single word feels so heavy, but it does. It's like he's seeing right through me, seeing past the layers I've built around myself. I hate how much that unnerves me.

I slide into the passenger seat, my pulse racing. I try to shake off the weird mix of emotions swirling inside me, but they cling stubbornly. Jack gets in next to me, and as he starts the engine, I can feel him glancing at me, that same small smile on his lips.

He's noticed. He knows I'm letting him in, even if it's just a crack. And that scares me more than I want to admit.

We drive in silence for a few minutes, but it's not the usual comfortable silence. This one feels heavier, filled with things left unsaid. Every time I glance over at him, I catch him looking at me like he's trying to figure me out, like he's piecing together parts of me I didn't even know were showing.

"What?" I finally ask, breaking the silence.

Jack glances at me, that knowing smile still lingering. "You're different outside of school," he says, his voice soft. "I like it."

His words send a strange warmth through me, and I don't know how to respond. Why does he always have to say things like that? My instinct is to brush it off, to deflect, but something in his tone makes it hard to do that this time.

"You don't know me that well," I say, my voice quieter than I expected.

He doesn't miss a beat. "I'm getting there," he replies, his eyes still focused on the road, but I can hear the certainty in his voice. Like he's already made up his mind. Like he's not backing down, even when I try to push him away.

I turn to the window, my fingers fiddling with the strap of my bag as I try to process the flood of emotions. Jack's persistence is starting to get to me, and I'm not sure if I like it. No, that's a lie. I do like it. And that terrifies me.

As we pull into The Cozy Corner parking lot, I can't help but glance at Jack again. There's something in his gaze that feels different—like he's really seeing me for the first time. And for a second, I wonder what it would be like to let him in, to let him see all the parts of me I keep hidden. But then, just as quickly, I shut the thought down.

I'm not ready for that. Not yet.

We step out of the car, and I feel a strange pull between us. It's subtle, but it's there. Jack's closer than before, his shoulder brushing against mine as we walk toward the door. I glance at him, and for a split second, our eyes meet. The warmth in his gaze makes my heart race.

And for the first time, I wonder if maybe, just maybe, letting someone in isn't as terrifying as I thought.

The moment we step into The Cozy Corner, the familiar warmth and smell of freshly brewed coffee wrap around me, offering a temporary sense of comfort. I glance around, finding my usual sense of calm slightly rattled by Jack's presence. This is my sanctuary, a place where I come to disappear into myself. But with Jack here, it feels different—like I'm not so invisible anymore.

We find a small table by the window, sunlight casting soft patterns across the wooden surface. Jack stands, ready to order drinks. "I'll get them," he says, already reaching for his wallet.

Instinctively, I pull out my own money. "Let me pay you back. I owe you."

Jack shakes his head, giving me that easy smile of his. "You don't owe me anything. I got it."

I insist, pushing the money toward him. "No, really—"

He cuts me off, his voice dropping to a playful whisper, leaning in closer than I expected. "Babygirl, let me handle it."

My heart stutters, and I blink, completely caught off guard. The air between us feels charged, like he knows exactly what he's doing. Before I can respond, he winks and walks off toward the counter, leaving me flustered and speechless.

Did he just call me babygirl? I sit down, my mind racing. The nickname lingers in the air, throwing me off balance. I've been so careful around Jack, trying to keep my distance, but now? Now I don't know what to think. There's a warmth spreading through my chest, something unfamiliar and... terrifying. My heart beats faster, my thoughts swirling as I try to figure out what just happened. Was he flirting? Testing me?

I force myself to take a deep breath, leaning back in my chair as I reach for my laptop. Focus, Aria. You're here to work. I open up my editing software, but the flustered feeling doesn't leave. It's still there, simmering beneath the surface.

As the screen lights up, I click through my vlogs, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. These videos—they're personal, private. No one else has seen them. They're a part of me I don't share with anyone, not even Jack. Showing them to him... it feels like opening a door I'm not ready to open.

But then I glance up, seeing him standing at the counter, casually waiting for our drinks, and something inside me shifts. Jack has been patient, steady—always there when I least expect it. Maybe... just maybe, I can let him see a little more of me. Maybe it's time to trust someone.

What if he doesn't get it? What if he thinks it's stupid? My heart pounds as doubt creeps in. But then again, Jack isn't like everyone else. He's different. And for some reason, that thought makes me want to take the risk.

Jack returns, sliding an iced pumpkin chai latte in front of me. I smile, despite myself. "You remembered," I say softly, feeling a little warmth rise in my chest. It's my favorite, and the fact that he knew... it means more than I want to admit.

"Of course," Jack says with a grin, sitting across from me. His eyes fall on my laptop, and curiosity flickers in them. "So, what are you working on?"

I hesitate, my fingers twitching against the trackpad. Do I show him? I chew my lip, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. My vlogs are personal—pieces of me that no one else gets to see. Letting Jack in... it feels like too much. But as I meet his gaze, there's something about the way he looks at me—steady, patient—that makes me feel like it's okay. Like maybe he won't judge me. Maybe he'll get it.

"Just... editing," I say quietly, my voice softer than usual. There's a pause, a beat of hesitation, before I add, "Do you want to see?"

Jack's eyebrows lift in surprise. "Yeah. I'd love to."

My heart races as I close the editing window and navigate to my saved videos. My hand trembles slightly as I click on one of the files and hand him the laptop. The screen lights up with one of my vlogs—me, talking to the camera about my day, about my thoughts. The part of me I never show anyone.

Jack watches, his eyes focused, his expression unreadable at first. I shift in my seat, nervous, wondering what he'll think. What if he hates it? What if he doesn't understand? The fear of vulnerability tightens in my chest, but I force myself to stay still, waiting for his reaction.

When the video ends, Jack looks up at me, something soft and almost... awed in his gaze. "You're amazing," he says, his voice sincere. "Why don't you ever upload these?"

I exhale, the tension slowly releasing from my body. "They're personal," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "These are for me, not anyone else."

Jack nods, understanding in his eyes. "I get it," he says softly. "But for what it's worth, I think they're incredible."

His words settle over me like a warm blanket, and for a moment, I feel lighter. Maybe sharing this with him wasn't as terrifying as I thought.

His attention shifts to the notebook next to my laptop—The Mermaid's Guide—and I can see the curiosity spark in his eyes again. "What's this?" he asks, reaching for the book.

I pull it back, handing him my notes instead. "Research," I say, my tone more guarded. "I'm trying to figure out more about moon rings, but... I still don't know much. All I know is that it calms me down when I have it."

Jack glances through my notes, nodding as he reads. "You've been busy," he says with a small smile. "Anything you've figured out so far?"

I shake my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Not really. There's so much history, but it's like the details about moon rings are always just out of reach."

Jack looks up, his gaze steady. "We'll figure it out," he says, his voice filled with certainty. "You're not alone in this, Aria. I'm here. Whatever you need."

His words land heavier than I expected. There's a sincerity in them that makes my chest tighten, and for the first time, I realize just how much I've let him in. It scares me. But at the same time, it feels... good. Like maybe I don't have to carry this weight alone.

I nod, not trusting my voice, and Jack gives me a small, reassuring smile. The café around us feels warmer now, more intimate, like the space between us has somehow grown smaller.

As I sit there, sipping my drink, I can't help but think about how much has changed. Jack is here—really here—and he's not going anywhere. And maybe, just maybe, I'm okay with that.

As the conversation winds down and Jack stands up, offering his hand to help me out of my seat, my heart skips a beat. For a second, I hesitate, staring at his outstretched hand. I've imagined moments like this before, back when I was a freshman, quietly crushing on him from afar. Back then, it was harmless—a fantasy I could escape into without any real consequences. But now? Now it's real, and the weight of that reality presses down on me.

I reach out and take his hand, my pulse quickening at the warmth of his touch. It feels different now, knowing what I know about him, and more importantly, what he knows about me. I used to dream about moments like this, but I never thought they'd actually happen. And yet, here we are. As my fingers curl around his, it's all too easy to get lost in the moment, but the fear lingers—what if he lets go again?

Just as I'm about to pull my hand away, Jack tightens his grip. His touch is gentle, but there's something firm, almost deliberate in the way he holds on a second longer. It sends a wave of warmth through me, making my breath catch.

"Don't push me away," he says, his voice low but steady. "We've already finished the project. No need to be guarded around me anymore. We're friends, right?"

Friends. The word hangs in the air between us, so simple, yet so loaded. I try to smile, but the tension inside me pulls in two different directions—part of me wants to believe him, to trust that he really means it. But the other part? The part that remembers the look on his face when he walked away after I revealed everything? That part is still scared. Scared that if I let him in, if I let myself get too close, it'll all fall apart again.

I nod, trying to mask the uncertainty creeping into my thoughts. "Yeah, friends."

He lets go of my hand, and the warmth of his touch fades, leaving me with a strange sense of loss. We head toward the door, and I try to shake the feeling that's been building up inside me—the feeling that this moment is more than just a casual exchange between friends.

As we step outside, the cool air hits my face, grounding me for a moment. Jack walks beside me, and I can't help but glance down at our hands. We're walking so close now. It wasn't like this before. There used to be space between us—literal distance that felt safer, more manageable. But now? Now there's barely any space at all, and it makes my heart race in a way I'm not prepared for.

Why does this feel so different? I wonder, my eyes flicking from his hand to his face. He seems calm, like none of this is affecting him the way it is me. But maybe he's just better at hiding it. Or maybe... he's not feeling the same thing I am.

The thought sends a pang through my chest, but I try to push it aside. This is what I wanted, right? To be close to him. To be friends. But now that it's happening, I can't ignore the fear creeping in—the fear that being this close, letting him in, will end in disaster.

I look up at Jack, my mind flashing back to that moment after the reveal, when he walked away, leaving me feeling more exposed than ever. He's back now, and he's saying all the right things, but that doesn't erase what happened. It doesn't erase the doubt gnawing at the edges of my mind.

What if he walks away again?

I try to tell myself that we're just friends, that I don't need to be scared. But the truth is, I am scared. Scared that if I let myself trust him, if I let myself get too close, he'll disappear again—and this time, I won't be able to handle it.

As we continue walking, side by side, I can feel the weight of everything I'm not saying hanging between us. I glance at Jack, and for a split second, I see something in his eyes—something soft, something... more. But before I can figure out what it is, he gives me that easy smile, the one that always makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.

But then there's the other part of me, the part that's still terrified. The part that knows how much I've kept from him—about who I am, about what I am. There's so much he doesn't know, and I wonder if he'd still be here if he knew all of it. The thought of him finding out... of him leaving because of it... it's enough to make me want to pull away again. To retreat back into the safety of distance.

How long can I keep this up? How long can I keep pretending that I'm not afraid of what happens next?

And yet, as I glance down at our hands again, noticing just how close we are, there's a small part of me that dares to hope. That maybe this time will be different. That maybe, just maybe, Jack won't walk away. That I won't have to guard myself forever.

But that hope is dangerous. Because if I fall for him, if I let myself believe in this... what happens if he leaves again?

I tell myself we're just friends, that there's no need to be scared. But as we walk side by side, the fear of losing him again gnaws at me. And even more terrifying is the possibility that I'm falling for him. And I don't know which scares me more—falling, or letting him walk away again.

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A/N: Phew, long chapter!