The afternoon felt the same—
but not for Stephan.
His phone screen lit up once.
A new contact.
Pixel.
He looked at it for a few seconds…
then locked his phone again.
For some reason—
that one name stayed longer than it should have.
By evening—
they were all at the beach again.
Stevan ran ahead.
"Pixel!"
She turned slightly.
"You came," he said happily.
"I said I would."
Stephan reached them a moment later.
Pixel's eyes shifted—
not to him…
but behind him.
"Ketty, come here."
Stephan paused.
Ketty walked closer.
Pixel stepped aside—
creating space again.
"You both talk," she said simply.
Then turned to Stevan—
"Come."
And walked away.
Leaving them.
Again.
Ketty smiled, trying to keep it normal.
"So… you've been quiet today."
Stephan nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
She tried again—
"I thought we could spend some time together."
Her voice was soft.
Genuine.
But Stephan's attention—
was somewhere else.
On Pixel.
Walking away.
Like it didn't matter.
"Stephan?"
He looked back.
"You're not even listening, right?"
There was a pause.
He didn't deny it this time.
"I am."
But it didn't sound convincing.
Ketty noticed.
But she didn't react negatively.
Instead—
she smiled slightly.
"You're thinking about something else."
Stephan didn't answer.
Because even he didn't understand it fully.
A few seconds later—
he stood up.
"I'll be back."
And walked away.
Not towards his friends.
But towards her.
Pixel was near the water.
Stevan beside her.
Talking.
Like always.
Stephan stopped at a distance.
Watching.
Because now—
he understood something clearly.
It wasn't just about her.
It was about the distance she kept creating.
And how much that was starting to affect him.
Night Time
The room was quiet.
Ketty: Pixel…
Pixel (without looking up): Hmm?
Ketty: What do you think about Stephan?
Pixel slowly closed her book and looked at her.
Pixel: For you… or in general?
Ketty (confused): What does that mean?
Pixel (calmly): It means you're asking like it matters.
Ketty sat up a little.
Ketty: It does matter.
Pixel raised an eyebrow slightly.
Pixel: Then you like him.
Ketty froze.
Ketty: I didn't say that.
Pixel leaned back, watching her.
Pixel: You didn't have to.
There was a small silence.
Ketty looked away… then smiled a little.
Ketty: Okay… maybe I do.
Pixel didn't react much, but her eyes showed a faint hint of teasing.
Ketty: He's different…
Pixel: How?
Ketty: He doesn't try to impress anyone… he doesn't act fake.
Pixel nodded slightly.
Pixel: And?
Ketty looked at her seriously.
Ketty: I want to try… seriously.
Pixel tilted her head.
Pixel: Serious?
Ketty frowned.
Ketty: Why are you saying it like that?
Pixel (teasing slightly): Because you've never been serious before.
Ketty threw a pillow at her.
Ketty: I am serious this time!
Pixel smiled a little.
Pixel: I can see that.
A pause.
Pixel: Good for him.
Ketty narrowed her eyes.
Ketty: Are you teasing me or supporting me?
Pixel: Both.
Ketty laughed softly and lay back again.
Ketty: Do you think he'll like me?
Pixel didn't answer immediately.
Pixel: If you keep talking like this… maybe.
Ketty rolled her eyes.
Ketty: You're impossible.
Pixel picked up her book again.
Pixel: And you're overthinking.
A small silence.
Then—
Ketty (softly): I really like him.
This time, Pixel didn't tease.
Pixel (calm, gentle): Then don't stop trying.
The room went quiet again.
But not empty.