The ride back home with Ethan felt quieter than when we were coming.
Not empty.
Just… full in a way I didn't know how to explain.
The city lights passed by in soft streaks outside the window, reflecting faintly against the glass. I leaned my head slightly toward it, watching everything blur and settle at the same time.
I could still feel the river.
The cold wind.
That moment.
Ethan didn't say much while driving.
Neither did I.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was like we both knew there was nothing left to say that wouldn't make things heavier.
So we didn't.
When we pulled into the mansion the lights were still on.
Of course they were.
This house never really slept.
I stepped out of the car, holding my bag, the night air a little colder now.
"…Home," I muttered.
Ethan came around the car, glancing at me briefly.
"Yeah."
And then voices.
Loud.
Familiar.
The front gate opened and the rest of them came in like they had been waiting for a dramatic entrance.
Nena first, still glowing like she owned the night.
Jake behind her, already looking tired but trying not to show it.
Mark calm as always.
Liam and Emma laughing about something I definitely missed.
And Luca—
half asleep.
Actually—
fully asleep.
He was leaning against Jake, who had a hand on his shoulder, guiding him forward like a very unwilling babysitter.
"…Why is he asleep," I asked.
Jake looked at me.
"…He got tired."
"That's it?"
"He danced once and said 'this is too much for my soul' and shut down."
Luca mumbled something incoherent.
Then leaned more into Jake.
Jake sighed.
"I don't get paid enough for this."
"You don't get paid at all," Nena said.
"Exactly my point."
I laughed softly.
Nena looked at me.
Then at Ethan.
Then back at me.
A slow smile forming.
"…So?"
I blinked.
"So what."
Jake immediately cut in.
"No interrogation. It's late."
Nena gasped.
"You're protecting her?"
"I'm protecting my peace."
Mark glanced at Ethan.
"You had fun?"
Ethan nodded once.
"Yeah."
Liam smirked slightly.
"That sounds suspiciously calm."
Emma elbowed him lightly.
"Leave them alone."
I rolled my eyes.
"We had fun."
Nena crossed her arms.
"That's not enough detail."
"That's all you're getting."
She stared at me.
Then sighed dramatically.
"Fine. I'll investigate later."
Jake immediately started guiding Luca toward the door.
"Goodnight. Everyone go inside before she starts taking notes."
Luca mumbled again.
"…Mark…"
Mark stepped closer instantly.
"I'm here."
"…Don't disappear…"
"I won't."
Jake blinked.
"…Why am I even here."
They went inside.
Slowly.
Jake still holding Luca up.
Mark following beside them like it was normal.
Liam and Emma left next, still talking quietly, laughing under their breath like they were in their own world.
Nena gave me one last look.
A knowing one.
Then smirked.
"Goodnight."
And just like that—
it got quiet again.
Just me.
And Ethan.
Standing outside.
The night felt softer now.
Like everything loud had already happened.
He looked at me.
"…I had fun."
I nodded.
"…Me too."
A small pause.
"We should do that again," I said.
"Yeah."
Another pause.
Not awkward.
Just… lingering.
I shifted my bag slightly.
"…Good planning, by the way."
He smiled faintly.
"I try."
Then—
before I could overthink it—
I stepped closer.
And hugged him.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
Just… real.
He paused for half a second.
Then hugged me back.
Carefully.
Like he was aware of it.
Like it mattered.
I rested my head lightly against him.
"…Don't disappear," I murmured.
He didn't hesitate this time.
"I won't."
We stayed like that for a moment longer.
Quiet.
Still.
Then I pulled back slightly.
Looked at him.
"…Goodnight, Ethan."
"Goodnight, Ayana."
I turned.
Walked toward the house.
And just before I stepped inside—
I glanced back.
He was still there.
Watching.
And for some reason—
that made everything feel a little less temporary.
-----
No one came in.
No dramatic entrances.
No doors bursting open.
We were already there.
All of us.
Living room.
Phones in hand.
Waiting.
It was quiet in that very loud way.
Where everyone is pretending not to care—
but checking their screen every three seconds.
Luca was the only one not involved.
Of course.
He was sprawled across the couch, scrolling through something completely unrelated.
"…You're all stressing for nothing," he said lazily.
Jake didn't even look at him.
"Because this does not concern you."
"It concerns my emotional stability."
"It doesn't."
Nena nudged him with her foot.
"You're still in high school. Relax."
"I am emotionally invested in all of you," he replied.
"That's your first mistake," Liam muttered.
Then—
ding.
Everyone froze.
Jake looked at his phone first.
Then—
"…WAIT."
Nena grabbed hers.
Emma too.
Liam.
Mark.
Ethan.
All at once—
notifications.
"…I passed," Jake said.
Like he didn't believe it.
Then louder—
"I PASSED."
Nena looked at hers—
"…I passed."
Then she smiled.
Wide.
Real.
"I passed."
Emma covered her mouth slightly.
"…I passed."
Liam leaned back.
"…Same."
Mark checked quietly.
Then nodded.
"…Yeah."
Ethan didn't say anything at first.
Just looked at his screen.
Then—
"Passed."
All of them.
Passed.
The room shifted instantly.
Tension gone.
Replaced with something lighter.
Jake stood up.
Ran a hand through his hair.
"…Okay."
"…Okay??" Nena repeated.
"That's it??"
"I'm processing."
Liam laughed.
"I'm not processing anything. I'm just happy."
Emma nodded.
"Same."
Then—
scores.
"Two forty," Jake said.
"I wanted higher, but I'm alive."
Nena tilted her head.
"Two seventy."
Jake stared.
"…Excuse me?"
She shrugged.
"I worked."
Emma smiled slightly.
"Two eighty."
Liam nodded.
"Two ninety."
Jake pointed at him.
"Of course you did."
"I'm consistent," Liam replied.
Mark spoke next.
"Three ten."
Silence.
Jake blinked.
"…Of course you did."
Ethan checked his again.
"…Three hundred."
Another pause.
"…You people are annoying," Jake said.
Then—
they all looked at me.
I hadn't opened mine yet.
"…Ayana," Nena said softly.
I nodded.
Slowly.
Opened it.
Read.
…Two fifty-five.
I stared for a second.
Then locked my phone.
"…I passed," I said.
They all waited.
"…Two fifty-five."
A pause.
Jake frowned slightly.
"…That's good."
I nodded.
"…Yeah."
But my chest felt…
off.
Because I knew what I wanted.
Three twenty.
That number had been sitting in my head like a goal I had to reach.
And now—
this.
Not bad.
Not failure.
Just…
not it.
Nena leaned closer.
"…Hey."
I shrugged slightly.
"I'm fine."
I wasn't crying.
Didn't feel like crying.
Just…
that quiet disappointment.
The kind that sits in your chest and doesn't say anything.
"I wanted three twenty," I added.
Jake sighed.
"…Of course you did."
He sat beside me.
"…You passed."
"I know."
"And you're still upset."
"I know."
He looked at me.
"…That's annoying."
I gave him a look.
"…Thanks."
He smirked slightly.
"You're welcome."
Nena nudged my shoulder.
"You did well."
Emma nodded.
"You really did."
Liam added,
"Not hitting your exact goal doesn't erase everything."
Mark spoke quietly.
"You aimed high. That's not a bad thing."
Ethan looked at me.
"…You're allowed to feel bad."
I exhaled slowly.
"…I know."
Silence settled again.
Not heavy.
Just… there.
Then—
Luca sat up suddenly.
"I have an idea."
Everyone turned to him.
"…No," Jake said immediately.
"Yes," Luca replied.
He stood up.
Walked to the center of the room.
"We should dance."
Silence.
"…What," I said.
He nodded seriously.
"Yes. Celebration dance."
Jake blinked.
"…That's your solution?"
"Yes."
Nena tilted her head.
"…I'm listening."
Luca pointed.
"You all passed."
Then pointed at me.
"You passed."
I blinked.
"…Yes?"
"So we dance."
Liam laughed.
"That logic is… something."
Emma smiled.
"I kind of like it."
Jake groaned.
"…I refuse."
Nena grabbed his arm.
"You're dancing."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Mark sighed.
"…This is happening, isn't it."
Luca nodded.
"Yes."
Music started.
No one knows who played it.
Probably Luca.
And then—
somehow—
we were all moving.
Not coordinated.
Not serious.
Just—
messy.
Jake complaining while still dancing.
Nena dragging him anyway.
Liam spinning Emma once just to make her laugh.
Mark standing still until Luca pulled him in.
Ethan watching for a second—
then stepping in too.
And me?
I stood there for a second.
Then—
moved.
Just a little.
Then more.
And somehow—
the feeling in my chest shifted.
Not gone.
Still there.
But lighter.
Because I passed.
Because they were here.
Because nothing ended today.
It just…
changed.
And for now—
that was enough.