Classes ended, and students began to pack up. Dan zipped up his bag slowly, glancing at Skylar, who was stuffing a notebook into his backpack.
"So," Dan said casually, "what are you going to do about Sophie?"
Skylar didn't look up. "If she tries anything else with Kayla, I'll deal with it."
Dan raised a brow. "That day's not too far off."
Skylar finally looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Dan just shook his head. "Nothing."
Skylar narrowed his eyes but didn't press. He shrugged and went back to packing, but then Dan spoke again.
"How was your little 'date' with Kayla?" His tone was teasing, but the question was real. "How is she? After everything that happened?"
Skylar smiled to himself, soft and subtle. "She's fine."
Dan nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. After a moment, Skylar decided to flip it on him.
"Can I ask you something?" he said, zipping his bag shut.
Dan looked at him. "What?"
"Why do you hate Liam so much?"
Dan paused, his hand frozen mid-reach for a pen. He stared at the floor for a second, like he was somewhere else completely. Skylar waited, but Dan didn't say anything.
"Dan?" he asked, tapping his shoulder.
Dan looked up like he'd just been pulled out of a dream. "Sorry—what did you say?"
Skylar repeated the question.
Dan let out a small laugh, clearly forced. "It's just an old thing. Nothing serious."
Skylar didn't push. He just nodded and watched as Dan packed up the last of his stuff.
***
Meanwhile, Kayla had gotten through the rest of her day without any trouble. No stares, no questions.
She was quietly relieved. As she walked out of the building, she happened to see Skylar and Dan heading to the parking garage.
Her eyes lingered on Skylar for a few seconds, a smile creeping onto her lips without her realizing. She stayed like that until they disappeared from view, then turned and walked home, still smiling to herself.
She walked through the front door and was greeted by her dad, who looked up from the living room.
"You seem extra cheerful today," he said, smiling.
"I'm fine," she replied brightly and skipped upstairs.
A moment later, her older brother was coming down the stairs and paused to look at her.
"What's with the smile?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing," she grinned, brushing past him. He watched her go but said nothing, shrugging it off.
In her room, Kayla tossed her bag aside and jumped on her bed, giggling quietly to herself. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this... light.
After resting a bit, she changed into her work clothes and got ready to leave again. On her way out, she passed the living room where her mom was on the phone. She walked past her mum and left the house without saying goodbye.
She left the house and headed to work, still glowing with quiet joy.
At the shop, she helped the others cheerfully, even her colleagues noticed her extra cheerful expression.
***
Back at Skylar's house, things weren't so bright.
He came home and was surprised to find both his parents there. That rarely happened. They were seated on the couch when he walked in.
"You're both home?" he asked, confused.
"We took the day off," his mom said with a smile. "Thought we could spend some time together."
Skylar nodded and went straight to his room. His parents exchanged a look but assumed he was just tired.
At dinner, the three of them sat around the table—his mom across from him, his dad at the head. It was quiet at first, the only sound coming from cutlery and the clinking of plates.
His mom finally broke the silence. "How was school today?"
"Fine," Skylar answered, not looking up.
She gave a small smile and glanced at her husband before turning back to Skylar. "Are you okay? Is there anything you need?"
He paused, then replied flatly, "Even if I told you, it's probably not something you can give me."
The table went quiet again.
His mom forced a chuckle. "How about a trip? Just the three of us. It's been a while since we did something like that."
"I have exams coming up," Skylar said without looking up.
His dad cleared his throat. "We could go after your exams."
Skylar didn't answer. He just kept staring at his plate. His mom leaned forward with a nervous laugh.
"You can pick the place if you want," she offered.
For a brief second, Skylar felt... something, like maybe they actually cared. He gave a small nod and his mum looked pleased.
They went back to eating until his dad spoke again.
"Have you found someone you like?"
Skylar nearly choked. His mom quickly passed him a glass of water. He took it, coughed a little, then looked at both of them.
They were waiting.
He cleared his throat. "Yeah... I guess."
His mom's face lit up. "Who is she??"
"A girl from school." He replied.
"Ooh, that's nice. What's her name?"
"Kayla..."
His mum's eyes lit up. "That's a lovely name. What's her surname?"
Skylar coughed. "I don't... know her surname."
His dad looked at him over his glasses. "What does her father do?"
Skylar blinked. "I... don't know."
"What's her background?"
Skylar hesitated. "She's from a normal family."
His dad sighed but didn't say more. Skylar picked at his food in silence, already regretting that he answered at all.
He kept eating in silence, unsure of what else to say. The awkward clinking of forks filled the room again until his mother gently cleared her throat.
Skylar's mom leaned in a little with a curious look. "So, tell me about Kayla."
Skylar shifted in his seat, picking at his food. "She's... pretty normal. A decent girl. Really nice, too. Not extra or anything."
He paused, then added without thinking, "She's beautiful."
His eyes widened a bit. "I mean—she has a beautiful smile," he corrected quickly, looking down at his plate.
His mom chuckled at the slip, clearly amused. "Mhm."
Trying to move things along, she asked, "Is she in your class?"
Skylar shook his head. "No, she's a year below me.
Lauren gave a small "ohh" in understanding, a knowing smile still on her face.
His dad leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "I'd like to meet Kayla."
Skylar looked up immediately, with panic in his eyes.
Lauren noticed it right away. "What's wrong?"
Skylar hesitated. "It's just... we haven't known each other that long. We barely even talk."
She tilted her head at him. "So what are you waiting for? Make a move already."
He clicked his teeth and muttered, "I'll try."
That made both his parents chuckle a little. The conversation eased up after that. They kept chatting lightly about school, trips, and other small things until eventually it was time for bed.
As Skylar got up to head to his room, his mom followed him, like she used to when he was a kid. She helped him pull the covers over his legs, smoothing out the blankets gently.
"Goodnight, sweetheart," she said with a soft smile.
Skylar turned to her, feeling a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt in a long time. "Goodnight, Mom."
She left his room quietly.
Back in the master bedroom, Lauren sat on the bed beside her husband.
"Well?" she asked. "What do you think?"
Nathan shrugged, smiling faintly. "If he's happy, then i've got no problem with the girl."
"Me neither," she said, reaching for his hand.
They sat in silence for a few seconds, both reflecting on how rare it was for their son to open up like that.
"At least he's talking to us," she said quietly. "Not bottling everything up like he used to."
Nathan nodded. "It's a good sign."
She smiled. "Now we just have to plan this trip. Somewhere peaceful."
They laughed softly, the kind of laugh that came from shared relief and hope. For the first time in a while, it felt like their little family might be getting closer.