The morning after the sleepover, everyone was still buzzing from the chaos of Truth or Dare. Treasure had fallen asleep with chips on his face, Jasmine had stayed up talking with Mia, and King had collapsed in his own room after everyone left. But AJ wasn't laughing about the night.
He couldn't stop thinking about how the game cornered him into admitting he "liked someone." His hood stayed pulled low as he walked home, hands deep in his pockets. He hated how exposed he felt… but at the same time, he knew exactly who had been on his mind.
Later that evening, AJ slipped away from the group's usual chatter. He told them he was heading home, but instead he found himself walking toward the quiet park near the tournament grounds. The sunset burned the sky orange, fading into a deep purple.
And she was there.
Kiisi sat on the swing set, legs folded beneath her, scrolling on her phone. She looked up when she heard AJ's footsteps. Her lips curved into the smallest smile."You again."
AJ's chest tightened. "…Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?" Kiisi shot back, standing up slowly. She brushed her hair behind her ear. "Don't tell me you were following me."
He looked away. "Tch. Don't flatter yourself."
But his heart was beating too fast for the lie.
They stood in silence for a moment, the night air cool against their skin. Finally, Kiisi tilted her head. "So… is it true?"
AJ froze. "…What?"
"Last night. The game." She leaned closer, eyes glinting. "Do you like someone?"
His jaw clenched. He wanted to snap back, to push her away with words like he usually did. But the way she was looking at him—soft, curious, but sharp—made it impossible. He let out a breath, low and shaky. "…Maybe."
Kiisi smirked. "Maybe, huh? That's not an answer."
He shot her a look, the kind of glare that should've scared anyone else away. But Kiisi only smiled wider. She took a step closer. "Fine. Don't say it. I already know."
"…What do you know?" AJ's voice came out rougher than he intended.
"That it's me."
The words cut through him like a blade and a balm all at once. His eyes widened beneath the hood, his breath stuck in his throat.
Kiisi leaned back, laughing lightly. "Relax. I'm not asking for a proposal or something. I just… kinda like knowing I get under your skin."
AJ looked down, his hands tightening into fists. For once, he didn't have a comeback. He just muttered, "…You talk too much."
"Maybe," she said, walking past him, brushing his shoulder as she passed. "But you listen."
Something in AJ's chest flipped.
As she started leaving, AJ grabbed her wrist—not hard, just enough to stop her. Kiisi turned, surprised, but didn't pull away.
"…You're right," he muttered, not meeting her eyes. "It's you."
The park went quiet except for the rustle of leaves in the night wind.
Kiisi's smirk softened into something smaller, warmer. "Took you long enough."
For the first time in forever, AJ actually smiled—just a little, barely there, but real.
And in that quiet moment under the moonlight, without anyone else watching, AJ and Kiisi's story truly began.