The sky had already turned violet when Ash stepped out of his workplace. He let out a breath, loosening his bag strap across his chest, shoulders aching from the long hours.
"Ash!"
He turned toward the familiar voice.
Isadora stood near the curb, her light sundress fluttering as she jogged toward him. Her smile was soft, maybe a little nervous.
"I was waiting for you," she said.
Ash blinked. "You were?"
"Yeah," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair back. "I thought… maybe we could grab dinner tonight? Just us."
Ash hesitated, gaze flickering. "Isadora…"
"I know," she said quickly. "You're tired. And I don't want to pressure you. But…" her voice quieted, "I'm going back abroad in a few days. I just… I wanted this one moment before I leave."
Ash looked down. He hated turning people down—especially when they looked that hopeful.
And honestly?
He wasn't even sure why he wanted to say no.
"…Alright," he said after a long pause. "Just dinner."
Isadora smiled, a little relieved. "Just dinner," she echoed.
——
The restaurant had string lights and open air, the kind of quiet that made conversations feel softer.
They ate slowly. Talked about old memories. Laughed about Rowan's worst kitchen fails.
Ash didn't flirt. Didn't lean close. But he didn't pull away either.
As the evening ended, Isadora held up her phone. "One picture," she said. "I want to remember this."
Before he could object, she leaned in beside him, camera already angled.
Click.
A quiet little moment—her smiling confidently, Ash glancing sideways with a faint, shy smile that made the whole photo feel softer.
Later that night, after they went home separately, Isadora sent that photo to someone else.
Not Ash.
But Rowan.
[Isadora ✨💅]
Look how cute we look 😚💕 just in case I forget to print it later lol
———
The clock read nearly midnight.
Celeste was slumped at her desk, surrounded by highlighted notes and half-drunk iced coffee. Her eyes burned. Her brain was fried.
She stood up with a quiet groan, stretching her arms as she slipped out of her room for a break.
She padded toward the kitchen to get a glass of water—but paused halfway.
Rowan was sitting on the couch, alone. The TV was on low, playing some documentary about cursed artifacts or whatever background noise he liked.
He had just opened a message on his phone.
From Isadora.
And on the screen—bright and clear in the glow of the phone light—was a photo.
Ash and Isadora.
A selfie.
At dinner.
Celeste froze.
Her gaze locked on the image for a moment too long. Her fingers curled around the counter behind her, gripping it like it might ground her.
She didn't say anything.
Rowan didn't even notice her.
He was too busy tapping a reaction to the message, laughing under his breath. "Damn, they look soft. Didn't expect Ash to agree to that."
Celeste turned around silently.
She didn't even get her water.
Back in her room, she sat at her desk again. The notes stared back at her.
But all she could think about was Ash.
Smiling beside someone else.
And even though they weren't dating—even though she had no claim—her chest felt like it had been quietly punched.
Still, she didn't text him.
Not tonight.
Not like this.
——