When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the silence.
The second thing…
My head felt heavy, like I hadn't slept enough—even though I definitely had.
I blinked slowly, staring at the ceiling.
Then everything from last night came rushing back.
The fair.
The photos.
Austin leaning closer—
Mary.
The ice water.
I groaned and rolled over, burying my face into my pillow.
"Worst timing ever…"
After a few seconds, I sat up and stretched.
My hair was still slightly damp at the ends, and I could still feel a faint chill from the memory alone.
"Okay," I muttered. "Today will be normal."
No chaos.
No drama.
No Ethan.
Just peace.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed loudly on my bedside table.
I didn't even have to check who it was.
I reached for it anyway.
Ethan:
ARE YOU ALIVE
I sighed.
Peace was officially canceled.
Me:
Yes.
My phone buzzed instantly.
Ethan:
Temperature check? Still human? Not a popsicle?
I rolled my eyes.
Me:
I'm fine.
Another message came.
Ethan:
Good. Because Austin was worried.
My heart did a small, annoying flip.
I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary.
Then typed.
Me:
He doesn't need to be.
A few seconds passed.
Then another message appeared.
But this time…
It wasn't from Ethan.
It was from Austin.
My fingers paused before opening it.
Austin:
Hey.
Why did that one word always make me nervous?
Austin:
How are you feeling?
I leaned back against my headboard.
He sounded… serious.
Genuinely concerned.
Me:
I'm okay. Not frozen anymore.
There was a short pause.
Then
Austin:
Good.
Another message followed.
Austin:
I'm really sorry about yesterday.
I frowned slightly.
Why was he apologizing again?
Me:
You already said sorry.
Austin:
Still feels like I should say it again.
I hesitated.
Then typed.
Me:
It wasn't your fault.
The typing bubble appeared… disappeared… then appeared again.
Finally.
Austin:
Still ruined the night.
I thought about that.
Did it ruin the night?
I remembered the Ferris wheel.
The games.
The photo booth.
The way we laughed.
"…Not really," I whispered to myself.
Then I typed.
Me:
The ending was bad. The rest wasn't.
This time, his reply came quicker.
Austin:
So… not a total disaster?
I smiled a little.
Me:
Not a total disaster.
Another pause.
Then.
Austin:
Good. Because I still owe you a proper one.
My heart skipped.
Wait—
A proper one?
I stared at the message.
Was he asking for—
Before I could overthink it, another message popped up.
Austin:
Without interruptions this time.
I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Then typed.
Me:
That depends.
Almost instantly.
Austin:
On?
Me:
No ice water incidents.
A few seconds passed.
Then.
Austin:
Deal.
I smiled again.
This was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Downstairs, I found the house unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
"Hello?, Mum?, Dad?" I called out.
No response.
I walked into the living room.
Empty.
But something caught my attention.
A folded blanket was draped over the couch.
And beside it…
Two empty soda cans.
I blinked.
"They really stayed…"
A small smile tugged at my lips.
They actually waited until I fell asleep.
For some reason, that thought made my chest feel warm.
Even Ethan
I grabbed a quick breakfast and sat down at the table, still thinking about everything.
Mary.
The way she looked at me.
The way I sat there like an idiot,
The way she said "that's what you get."
I frowned.
"What exactly did I get?"
I hadn't done anything wrong.
Right?
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a new name.
Unknown number.
I hesitated before opening the message.
Unknown:
Stay away from Austin.
My heart dropped.
I stared at the screen.
Then another message came.
Unknown:
I mean it.
I didn't need to guess who it was.
Mary
For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the messages.
A mix of emotions twisted in my chest.
Confusion.
Annoyance.
And something else…
Something close to anger.
"Seriously?" I muttered.
I quickly typed back.
Me:
You don't get to tell me what to do.
The reply came almost instantly.
Mary:
Watch me.
I scoffed.
Then my phone buzzed again.
But this time…
It was Austin.
Austin:
Are you busy today?
The tension in my chest eased slightly.
I looked at the message for a second.
Then typed.
Me:
Not really.
A few seconds passed.
Austin:
Can I come over?
My heart skipped again.
Why did everything with him feel like that?
I hesitated.
Then glanced at Mary's messages again.
Stay away from Austin.
I frowned.
"No."
I wasn't going to let her control anything.
I looked back at my phone and typed.
Me:
Yeah. You can.
His reply came quickly.
Austin:
I'll be there in 20.
I put my phone down and leaned back in my chair.
"Okay…"
This was happening.
Exactly twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
Right on time.
I walked over and opened it.
Austin stood there, hands in his pocketsz looking dangerously handsome.
"Hey."
"Hey."
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then he held up a small paper bag.
"I brought snacks."
I smiled.
"Good choice."
He stepped inside, glancing around briefly.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yes," I said. "I'm not made of ice."
"Good."
We walked into the living room and sat down.
There was a small pause.
Then I spoke.
"Mary texted me."
Austin's expression changed instantly.
"What?"
I showed him my phone.
His jaw tightened as he read the messages.
"She sent this?"
"Yeah."
He exhaled slowly.
"I'm sorry."
"Again with the sorry."
"This one's different."
I tilted my head.
"How?"
"Because this time," he said, "it actually involves me."
I watched him for a moment.
"You're not responsible for her actions."
"I know," he said. "But I should've handled things better."
I shrugged.
"Well… she definitely doesn't like me."
"That's obvious."
"Should I be worried?"
Austin looked at me seriously.
"No."
There was something firm in his voice.
Something reassuring.
"She won't bother you again," he added.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
The way he said it made me believe him.
A small silence followed.
Then he leaned back slightly.
"So…"
"So?"
"About what I said earlier."
My heart immediately picked up speed.
"Which part?"
"The 'proper one' part."
I looked down at my hands.
"Oh."
He smiled slightly.
"I still mean it."
I glanced up at him.
"You're really not giving up, are you?"
"No."
"Why?"
He didn't hesitate this time.
"Because I like spending time with you Ann"
My heart did that flip again.
"And," he added, "I want to see how this goes… without chaos."
I laughed softly.
"That would be a first."
"Exactly."
I thought about it for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
His eyes lit up slightly.
"Okay?"
"Okay."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
And just like that…
Despite everything that happened yesterday—
The jealousy.
The drama.
The cold water—
Something new started forming.
Something quieter.
Stronger.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
This time, no one would interrupt.