After I finished walking Nena home and she went inside her fancy mansion—which honestly looked like a palace— I started heading back down the road.
Remember? The same street where I once met that hilarious guy with the huge belly? Yeah, that one.
It was pretty quiet now, and I was walking peacefully, enjoying the fresh air.
But suddenly, I started to feel my heart pounding faster than usual. It was like my heartbeat was trying to compete in a race.
I didn't know why—I was just walking, not running from anything. Still, my heartbeat was loud in my ears, making me feel a little nervous.
Then, I started to hear footsteps behind me.
Not just random footsteps, but deliberate, sneaky ones. Like someone was trying to follow me without me noticing. I froze in place.
My mind instantly jumped to "ghost" or "thief," and I got a little scared but also ready to defend myself.
In a low, dramatic voice, I whispered, "Show yourself, ghost… I speak your language," and I struck a karate pose to look tough.
I figured if a ghost or ninja was lurking, I might scare it away with my serious stance.
The footsteps got closer and closer. I paused, listening carefully to see if the noise was right behind me.
When I was sure whoever or whatever was near enough, I suddenly swung my arm and shouted, "Get away from me!"
But instead of some scary ghost or villain, I saw Nathan—my friend (Or my current crush whatever you put it as)—standing there clutching his nose.
The moment I swung, I must've accidentally hit him.
"Ouch, Ayana! What was that for?" Nathan groaned, clutching his nose and looking surprised and a little hurt.
I blinked in surprise, realizing what I'd just done. "Oh my gosh, Nathan! I didn't see you there. Sorry! I thought you were a ghost or maybe a ninja sneaking up on me," I explained, feeling a little embarrassed.
Nathan nodded, still holding his nose, and ran a hand through his hair to look more relaxed.
"Yeah, I should've made it clearer I was coming. Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you," he said with a sheepish smile.
I giggled, feeling a bit guilty but also amused. "Well, do you want to take a walk? It's a nice evening," I asked.
He smiled back and agreed, "Yeah, I'd like that."
We started walking together. As we got closer to my house, Nathan suddenly asked out of the blue, "So… your mom. What does she do?"
I raised an eyebrow, a little suspicious. "Suddenly? Out of nowhere?"
He shrugged innocently. "I mean, no, I was just curious. Nothing else."
I hesitated for a moment but decided to answer honestly. "She's a teacher. She teaches kids at the local elementary school," I said.
We continued walking until we reached my gate. I turned to him with a smile. "Well, till we meet again," I said, giving him a quick hug.
He grinned and nodded. "Till then," he replied, giving me a little wave.
As I spun around, my face practically glowing with that lovesick look—probably dreaming about some romantic fairy tale—I suddenly shouted again, terrified.
But wait… nope. It wasn't a ghost. Even if it had been, honestly, I'd have to admit… it was kind of cute.
Yeah, I know, I'm weird.
Standing right there was Mark, looking as calm as ever, with his hands behind his back like he was about to give a lecture or solve a mystery.
His glasses sat perfectly on his nose, not slipping down at all—seriously, how does he do that? It's like they're glued to his face or something.
He looked at me with that calm, almost bored expression, like I was a slightly annoying but amusing insect.
"Who was with you? and how are you?" he asked, voice even, like he wasn't surprised at all.
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. " I'm fine thanks and it was Nathan. I met him on my way home," I said casually, though inside I was feeling a little nervous.
Honestly, I wasn't used to having all these people suddenly pop up on me like surprise guests at a party I didn't plan.
Mark's eyebrows shot up. "What? which Nathan are you talking about?"
I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Nathan—the super cute librarian dude," I added, trying to sound like it was no big deal but secretly hoping Mark wouldn't ask too much.
Mark's eyes widened just a tiny bit.
"Nathan, the librarian? The one With the bakery and a big smile?" he asked, raising an eyebrow like he was surprised but also amused.
I nodded again, feeling confused and a little overwhelmed.
"Yeah… I guess so," I mumbled, sighing loudly because honestly, my brain was running in circles trying to remember why everyone was suddenly invading my day.
"So… why are you here? Anything special happening?" I asked, starting to walk toward my front door.
Mark followed, still with that gentle, knowing smile that made me feel like he was about to drop a hilarious secret.
"Oh, I'm not the only one," Mark said casually, flicking his hand as if he was dismissing a minor inconvenience.
"Liam, Ethan, and your brother—yeah, they're all hanging out here too. Probably playing video games or plotting something crazy."
He rolled his eyes so dramatically I almost thought he'd sprain something. Clearly, he thought this was all pretty obvious.
Just then, I looked up and froze in place.
"Oh! And I almost forgot—Regina and Emma are here too," Mark said scratching the back of his neck. "They're here to practice… um, something."
Mark flashed me a charming smile that made my knees wobble a little.
I stood there like a statue, frozen and probably looking like I was about to faint. Somebody—I hoped—should catch me if I collapsed.
Suddenly, Regina strutted over with that exaggerated, "I'm-so-sweet-but-I'm-actually-trying-to-bug-you" look.
Her voice was fake friendly but totally obvious. "Hi, Ayana. How's your day? I hope you didn't blonde up."
I hate her words, and how she talks.
I blinked wildly, trying to hold it together.
"Ayana, how've you been?" Emma asked, giving me a sweet but mischievous smile like she knew something I didn't.
I nodded, forcing myself to sound normal.
"Not so good… I've seen a pretty bad view," I muttered, glancing sharply at Regina, hoping she'd realize I was talking about her.
But nope, she just kept grinning and acting like she was innocent.
Meanwhile, Jack—who looked like he just walked out of a fashion magazine—sauntered over with a smirk that screamed, I know something you don't.
He was wearing a translucent shirt that was basically see-through and black shorts that looked comfy but stylish.
He patted my head like I was a cute puppy.
"Go freshen up," he ordered casually, like he was telling me to grab a snack. '' Mom's Not coming home today too."
"What?" I asked, blinking like a confused owl.
"Yep. I told you that I texted you, you know that, right? You're supposed to know that… I mean, I've told you a million times," Jack said with a sigh, like it was obvious.
"And Regina and Emma wanted to show some basic steps... You need to learn I also recommend it you need some style'' Jake said the corner of his mouth twitching I rolled my eyes fed up.