After I finished walking Nena home—into her ridiculously fancy mansion that honestly deserved its own zip code—I turned and started heading back down the street.
The same street.
Yeah… that street.
The one where I once met that hilarious guy with the huge belly who laughed like thunder and almost made me drop my sanity right there on the pavement.
Now though?
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
The kind of quiet that makes you feel like something is about to happen.
I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets and walked slowly, enjoying the cool evening breeze brushing against my face. The sky was dimming into soft shades of orange and purple, and for a second, everything felt… calm.
Too calm.
Then—
My heart started pounding.
Fast.
Way too fast.
I frowned, slowing down. "Okay… why am I feeling like I just ran a marathon?" I muttered to myself.
I wasn't running.
I wasn't even late.
So why did it feel like my chest was hosting a drum concert?
Then I heard it.
Footsteps.
Behind me.
Not loud.
Not casual.
But careful.
Measured.
Like someone was trying not to be heard.
I froze.
My brain immediately went: ghost.
Then: thief.
Then: ghost thief.
I slowly turned my head just a little, eyes narrowing.
Nothing.
But the footsteps didn't stop.
They got closer.
Closer.
Okay, no.
Absolutely not.
I spun around quickly, striking what I believed was a powerful karate stance—feet apart, hands up, face serious.
"Show yourself, ghost," I whispered dramatically. "I speak your language."
…Silence.
Then—
Step.
Right behind me.
I didn't think.
I reacted.
"GET AWAY FROM ME—!"
I swung my arm.
And—
THWACK.
"Ow—!"
I froze.
That… did not sound like a ghost.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
And there he was.
Nathan.
Clutching his nose.
Looking both shocked and betrayed.
"Ouch, Ayana!" he groaned. "What was that for?!"
My eyes widened. "Oh my gosh—Nathan?!"
I immediately dropped my stance. "I—I thought you were a ghost! Or like… a ninja! Or a ghost ninja!"
He blinked at me. "…A ghost ninja?"
"I panicked!"
He let out a small laugh despite holding his nose. "Yeah… I can tell."
I covered my face. "I just assaulted my own… friend."
"Friend?" he teased lightly. "That's all?"
My face heated up. "I mean—uh—person I know!"
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I should've said something instead of creeping up like a criminal."
"Yeah," I said quickly. "Please announce yourself next time before I accidentally end your life."
"Noted."
There was a small pause.
Then I smiled, a little shy now. "So… since you survived my attack… want to walk with me?"
Nathan grinned. "Yeah. I'd like that."
We started walking side by side.
This time, my heart was still beating fast—but for a completely different reason.
"So," he said casually, glancing at me, "your mom… what does she do?"
I narrowed my eyes immediately. "That was random."
He raised his hands slightly. "Just curious!"
"…Suspicious."
He laughed. "I promise, no investigation going on."
I studied him for a second… then sighed.
"She's a teacher. Elementary school."
He nodded thoughtfully. "That's nice. She must be really patient."
I snorted. "You have no idea."
We walked a bit more, the silence surprisingly comfortable.
And before I knew it—
We were at my gate.
I turned to him, smiling softly. "Well… this is me."
He nodded. "Yeah. This was nice."
"Yeah," I agreed.
Then, before I could overthink it—I stepped forward and gave him a quick hug.
He froze for half a second… then hugged back.
"Till we meet again," I said, stepping away.
He smiled. "Till then."
I turned around, walking toward the door—
My face probably glowing like I just walked out of a romance movie.
I spun once, smiling to myself—
Then—
"AHH—!"
I jumped back.
Not a ghost.
Not a ninja.
Worse.
Mark.
Standing there calmly.
Hands behind his back.
Glasses perfectly in place like they were glued to his face by divine intervention.
He looked at me like I was… mildly entertaining.
"Who was that?" he asked calmly. "And how are you?"
I blinked. "Mark—?! Why are you just standing there like a statue?!"
"I was waiting."
"For what? Me to have a heart attack?!"
He ignored that. "Who was he?"
I sighed. "I'm fine, thanks for asking. And that was Nathan. I met him on my way home."
Mark's brows lifted slightly. "Which Nathan?"
I hesitated. "…The cute one."
His eyes narrowed just a little. "That doesn't help."
"The librarian guy. Bakery. Big smile."
Recognition hit.
"That Nathan?" he said, tone shifting slightly.
"…Yes?"
He studied me for a second.
Then nodded slowly. "Interesting."
"Why are you saying it like that?" I asked suspiciously.
"Like what?"
"Like you know something I don't."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe I do."
I groaned. "You're so annoying."
"Thank you."
I rolled my eyes and walked toward the door. "So why are you here anyway?"
He followed casually. "Oh, I'm not the only one."
I stopped.
"…What do you mean?"
He gestured lazily. "Liam, Ethan, your brother—they're all inside."
"…Of course they are."
"Probably playing games. Or arguing. Or both."
I sighed deeply. "I just wanted one peaceful day."
Mark smirked. "You don't get those."
Then he added, almost as an afterthought—
"Oh, and Regina and Emma are here too."
I froze.
"…I'm sorry—what?"
He scratched his neck. "Yeah. They said something about practicing."
I stared at the door like it had personally betrayed me.
"Great," I muttered. "Just great."
Before I could mentally prepare—
The door opened.
And there she was.
Regina.
Walking toward me like she owned the ground.
"Hi, Ayana," she said sweetly—too sweetly. "How's your day? I hope you didn't blonde up."
I clenched my jaw.
"I had a pretty bad view today," I replied calmly, glancing at her.
She tilted her head. "Oh? Mirror trouble?"
Emma stepped in quickly, smiling. "Ayana! How are you really?"
I shrugged. "Alive. Barely."
"Good enough," she said lightly.
Then—
Jake appeared.
Looking like he just walked out of a fashion shoot.
He patted my head. "Go freshen up."
"Why?"
"Mom's not coming home today."
I blinked. "What?"
"I texted you."
"…I didn't see it."
He sighed. "Of course you didn't."
I folded my arms. "So why are they here?"
"Practice," he said simply.
Then his lips twitched slightly.
"And honestly? You need it."
I glared. "Excuse me?"
He shrugged. "You heard me."
Regina smirked behind him. "He's right, you know."
I shot her a look. "Did anyone ask you?"
She smiled wider. "No. But I love helping less fortunate cases."
"Wow," I said flatly. "You should get an award."
"I probably will."
Emma laughed softly. "Okay, okay—let's not start a war at the door."
Too late.
Already started.
I stepped inside slowly, looking at all of them.
Liam waved dramatically. "Ayana! Finally! We were getting bored!"
Ethan glanced at me—quiet, observant.
Mark leaned against the wall, watching everything unfold like it was a show.
Jake crossed his arms.
Regina smirked.
Emma smiled.
And me?
I sighed.
"Alright," I said. "Let's get this over with."
Regina clapped lightly. "Good. Because step one is fixing… all of this."
She gestured at me.
I raised an eyebrow. "Careful."
"Oh?" she challenged.
I smirked slightly.
"I bite back now."