Saturday – Morning
Aqua Glide Marine Conservatory, Capital District
I didn't expect it to feel this light.
The moment I stepped into the glass-domed entrance with Emma beside me, a subtle warmth spread across my chest. Maybe it was the salty humidity in the air, or maybe it was the reflection of bright sunlight bouncing through the tanks above.
Either way, I was smiling before I even realized it.
And so was she.
Kind of.
The Early Walk
Emma was dressed casually today—white top under a white jacket, slim jeans, hair tied in a low ponytail, she is exactly the same when I met her first.
"Don't stare," she muttered, noticing me glancing as we passed the jellyfish exhibit.
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"Okay, I was. But in my Défense, I'm admiring the scenery."
She rolled her eyes—but didn't stop walking next to me.
For the first few minutes, we wandered quietly.
Then we hit the penguin tunnel.
And I lost it.
Joy in Motion
I pressed my face way too close to the glass.
"Ow! Look at that one! He just body-checked the other penguin!"
Emma raised a brow. "You're six."
"That's a power play, Emma. Penguin politics are brutal."
She laughed under her breath.
But then—I saw her watching me.
Not judging. Not teasing.
Just… watching.
Eyes a little softer.
Smile a little unsure.
Like she couldn't figure out what exactly she was seeing.
And honestly?
I didn't blame her.
Emma's Thoughts – Inside Her Mind
He was… glowing.
Not with the usual Jay confidence.
Not the flirty chaos or charismatic charm.
This was different.
He looked at sea turtles like they were old friends.
Read the signs out loud. Took photos of clownfish. Pressed his palm to the glass with quiet awe like he was trying to remember how to be a kid again.
And when we sat on the bench near the dolphin pool and he handed me a ridiculous fish-shaped keychain?
He was beaming.
Not just happy.
Free.
And it scared me.
Because it didn't feel like a beginning.
It felt like a goodbye.
------------------------------------------
We stood among a crowd of families during the stingray feeding demo. Kids clapped. A seal honked.
Jay pointed out the scientific names of half the fish with annoying accuracy.
"Are you showing off?" I asked.
"Always," he grinned.
We laughed. A lot.
And then we didn't talk.
We just stood there in front of the big ocean tunnel, water rippling blue and green above us.
Saying Goodbye
At the gates, we lingered.
Neither of us in a rush to be the first to leave.
I shifted the plastic bag in my hand—the one with the dolphin plush I had secretly bought for her when she wasn't looking.
I'd leave it in her desk later.
She didn't need to know it was me.
"Thanks for coming," I said.
Emma gave me a small smile. "You really needed this, didn't you?"
"…Yeah."
She stepped back, adjusting the strap on her bag.
Then I said it.
"I hope I fulfilled my responsibility."
She turned. "What?"
"As your class rep," I said. "And as your friend."
She blinked, confusion already surfacing.
"…What's that supposed to mean?"
I smiled.
Softly. Too softly.
"Nothing."
And before she could say anything else, I gave a mock bow and turned.
"Don't be late Monday," I called. "I expect full academic excellence."
She didn't answer at first.
But when I looked over my shoulder, she was still standing there.
Watching me walk away.
Emma's Mind – Later That Evening (First Person)
I sat in my room, notes scattered all over my desk like a mini storm had passed through.
I'd already rewritten my math formulas—twice—and gone through half the science module.
But it didn't matter.
Because one line kept looping in my head, over and over again:
"I hope I fulfilled my responsibility."
What did he mean by that?
Why did he sound so serious?
And the way he looked at me—
Not exactly sad, but… certain. Like he'd already decided something. Like a quiet farewell hidden inside a smile.
I picked up my pen.
Then let it fall.
"…After the exams," I whispered to myself. "Then I'll ask."
Because if I asked now, I don't think I'd be able to focus.
And knowing Jay… he wouldn't tell me right away anyway.
But I will ask.
Right after the exams.
Night – Jay's Walk
The city lights were bright.
Tyler, Noah, and Miles were already gathered at the empty soccer field behind school.
I waved as I walked up.
Tyler grinned. "He returns from the deep sea."
Noah: "Did you find Nemo?"
Miles: "Or get dumped by him?"
We laughed, kicked a ball around, and talked about everything except school and girls.
For a few hours…
It felt good to be normal.
I needed that.