As the evening settled in, Lydia finally stood to leave, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh. "Alright, I better head home before it gets too late."
Dalian followed her to the door. "You sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"
"Nah, I've already used up my daily quota of annoying you. Wouldn't want to overdo it," Lydia teased, flashing a grin.
Dalian rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Get home safe."
Lydia winked. And don't overthink things too much, alright?"
Before Dalian could respond, Lydia was already jogging off into the dimming street, leaving behind the faint echo of her laughter.
Dalian exhaled and turned back inside. The house was warm with the scent of spices and simmering broth. Aunt Beatrice was already in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up as she sorted through vegetables on the counter.
"Come on, Dalian," she called over her shoulder. "Let's get started before it gets too late."
Dalian quickly washed her hands and joined her. The familiar routine of chopping, stirring, and seasoning filled the space with an easy rhythm. The clatter of pots and the sizzle of oil were oddly comforting, grounding her in the present.
From the living room, the quiet rustling of pages reminded her that Diane was still buried in her studies, completely absorbed. Unlike Dalian, who often let her thoughts wander, Diane always seemed so focused, so sure of what she was doing.
Aunt Beatrice glanced at her as she diced the onions. "You seem distracted tonight."
Dalian paused for a second before shaking her head. "Just tired, that's all."
Aunt Beatrice hummed knowingly but didn't press further. "Well, try not to fall asleep while stirring the pot. I don't want to have to start over."
Dalian smirked. "No promises."
As the soup simmered and the rice cooked, the house settled into a comfortable quiet, broken only by the occasional clinking of utensils and the faint murmurs of Diane flipping through her notes.
It was just another evening, another routine. But even as she busied herself in the kitchen, Dalian couldn't shake the lingering warmth in her chest—the echo of Jack's voice, the way he had walked beside her, and the way she had felt when he looked at her.
Maybe Lydia was right.
Maybe she was overthinking things.
The night stretched on, quiet except for the faint rustling of pages. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room, flickering as Diane flipped through her notes with unwavering focus.
Dalian lay on her bed, curled beneath the blanket, but sleep refused to come. Instead, she found herself staring at the ceiling, listening to the rhythmic scratch of Diane's pen against paper.
She shifted onto her side, watching her sister with a small frown. "Diane, it's getting late."
"Mhm." Diane didn't look up, eyes scanning the lines of text as she jotted something down in the margins.
Dalian sighed. "You've been at this all evening. Aren't you tired?"
"I'll sleep soon," Diane said, her voice calm but firm.
Dalian sat up, running a hand through her hair. "You said that an hour ago."
Diane finally looked at her, arching a brow. "You're still awake too."
"That's different."
"Is it?"
Dalian hesitated. She wasn't about to admit she was restless for an entirely different reason—one that had nothing to do with school.
Diane glanced at the clock, then back at her notes. "I just want to be fully prepared. The presentation is important."
"I know," Dalian muttered, pulling her blanket closer. "I just think you should rest. What's the point of being prepared if you're too exhausted to think straight?"
Diane's expression softened for a moment before she sighed and set her pen down. "Alright. I'll stop soon."
Dalian gave her a pointed look.
"I mean it this time," Diane added, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
Dalian rolled her eyes but felt relieved as Diane finally started closing her books, stacking them neatly on the desk.
As Diane switched off the lamp, the room was enveloped in darkness, save for the moonlight seeping through the curtains. A comfortable silence settled between them.
"…Thanks for worrying," Diane murmured after a moment.
Dalian, already sinking into sleep, barely managed a tired hum in response.
And with that, the house fell into quiet slumber.
The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of dew as Diane and Dalian stepped out of the house, their bags slung over their shoulders. The street was already buzzing with early commuters, and the occasional honk of a distant car filled the quiet gaps between their footsteps.
Dalian stretched her arms above her head, stifling a yawn. "I can't believe it's already Friday."
Diane adjusted the strap of her bag. "One more day, and we can finally rest."
As they approached the bus stop, the familiar sound of an engine humming in the distance signaled their ride's arrival. The moment the bus pulled up, they spotted Lydia through the window, her face lighting up as she waved enthusiastically.
"Hurry up!" she called, grinning as she leaned slightly out of her seat.
Dalian and Diane quickened their pace, stepping onto the bus just as the doors hissed shut behind them. The warmth inside was a welcome contrast to the cool morning air.
Lydia had saved them a spot, scooting over to make room. "You two take forever," she teased as they sat down.
Dalian nudged her playfully. "Not all of us wake up looking ready for the day."
Lydia flipped her hair dramatically. "Effortless beauty, my dear."
Diane shook her head with a small smile, while Dalian laughed. The bus rumbled forward, carrying them toward another day of school, their chatter blending into the morning hum of students preparing for the day ahead.
The bus rolled to a stop in front of the school gates, releasing a steady stream of students onto the sidewalk. The usual morning energy buzzed through the air—groups chatting, some rushing to finish homework, and others simply strolling toward the entrance, savoring the last moments before class began.
Diane, Dalian, and Lydia stepped off the bus together, falling into step as they made their way inside.
"Ugh, I already feel tired," Dalian muttered, stretching her arms dramatically.
Lydia chuckled. "It's Friday. You should be excited. One more day, and then we're free."
Diane, walking slightly ahead, glanced over her shoulder. "Free? We still have to prepare for the presentation next week."
Lydia groaned. "Why must you ruin my joy this early?"
Dalian laughed as they entered the main hallway, weaving through the crowd of students making their way to their lockers. The familiar scent of books, polished floors, and faint traces of cologne filled the air, a daily reminder of school life.
Diane stopped by her locker, swiftly unlocking it with practiced ease. Dalian and Lydia did the same, the metallic clangs of doors opening and shutting blending with the morning chatter.
"So, what's our first class again?" Dalian asked, shoving her bag inside and pulling out her notebook.
"Math," Diane replied without hesitation.
Lydia sighed dramatically. "Great. Just what I need first thing in the morning."
Dalian smirked. "At least it's not history."
"True," Lydia admitted. "Alright, let's get this over with."
With that, the three of them made their way to class, ready to face the day ahead.
The math classroom was already half-filled with students by the time Diane, Dalian, and Lydia arrived. The usual morning energy lingered in the air—some students chatting in low voices, others flipping through their notes, and a few already looking half-asleep at their desks.
Diane led the way, settling into her usual seat near the front. Dalian and Lydia followed, taking their spots beside her.
Mr. Johnson, their math teacher, stood at his desk, flipping through some papers, occasionally adjusting his glasses as he prepared for the lesson. The moment the bell rang, he looked up and clapped his hands once, immediately quieting the room.
"Good morning, class." His voice was firm but not harsh. "Let's get started. Open your books to page 142."
A quiet shuffle of pages followed as the students complied.
"Today, we'll be working on advanced algebraic functions," Mr. Johnson continued, writing a set of equations on the board. "We've already covered the basics, but now we'll move on to application. Can anyone tell me the importance of understanding functions in real-world scenarios?"
A few hands went up, including Diane's.
Mr. Johnson nodded at her. "Diane?"
She sat up a little straighter. "Functions help model real-world situations, like predicting trends in business or understanding patterns in science and engineering."
"Exactly," Mr. Johnson said approvingly. "Mathematics isn't just about numbers—it's about problem-solving and recognizing patterns in everyday life."
As the lesson continued, the class fell into a focused rhythm. Equations filled the board, and students worked through problems, some with furrowed brows, others quickly scribbling down their solutions.
Dalian found herself staring at the problem in front of her, chewing the end of her pen. Math wasn't her worst subject, but days like this made her feel like the numbers were mocking her.
Lydia nudged her, whispering, "You okay?"
Dalian sighed. "I think this equation is personally attacking me."
Lydia suppressed a laugh. "Same."
Mr. Johnson glanced in their direction, and they immediately straightened up, pretending to focus. Diane, of course, had already solved three problems ahead of the lesson, her pencil gliding effortlessly over the page.
By the time the class ended, the board was filled with notes, and their notebooks were covered in equations. Mr. Johnson set his marker down.
"Alright, that's all for today. Make sure to complete the practice problems over the weekend."
A collective groan filled the room, but the sound of the bell was a welcome distraction. Students packed up their things, stretching as they prepared for the next class.
Lydia slung her bag over her shoulder. "Well, that was fun," she said sarcastically.
Dalian groaned. "My brain hurts."
Diane, already flipping through her next book, barely acknowledged them. "Come on, we have our next class to get to."
And just like that, the day continued.
As the classroom emptied, Diane remained seated, neatly organizing her notes for the next class. Lydia and Dalian exchanged a quick glance before making their way to her table.
Dalian set her book down with a sigh. "Okay, I give up. You need to teach us."
Diane finally looked up, her brows raising slightly. "Teach you what?"
Lydia dropped into the chair beside her. "Math, obviously. Some of those equations made sense at first, but then they started looking like ancient runes halfway through the lesson."
Dalian nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I got lost somewhere between 'functions' and 'real-world applications.'"
Diane sighed but didn't protest. Instead, she flipped back a few pages in her notebook. "Alright, show me where you got confused."
Lydia and Dalian pulled out their notebooks, pointing to various problems they had struggled with. Diane scanned them quickly, tapping a finger on one of the equations.
"This one is actually simpler than it looks," she said, turning her notebook so they could see. "You're overcomplicating it. Look—when you break it down like this…"
She began explaining, her voice steady and patient as she worked through the problem step by step. Lydia leaned in, nodding along, while Dalian scribbled notes furiously, trying to keep up.
"Wait," Lydia said suddenly. "So when you move this here, that cancels out?"
Diane nodded. "Exactly. You just have to recognize the pattern."
Dalian let out a groan. "Why does it make sense when you explain it but look impossible when Mr. Johnson does?"
Diane smirked. "Maybe because I'm not trying to intimidate you with real-world applications."
Lydia laughed. "True. Alright, let's try another one."
They spent a few more minutes going through the problems, with Diane patiently guiding them through each mistake until they finally started to grasp the concepts.
When they finished, Lydia stretched her arms above her head. "Whew. That was actually helpful. Thanks, Diane."
Dalian smiled. "Yeah, seriously. You're way better at teaching than you think."
Diane merely shrugged, already flipping through her book again. "Well, don't forget to practice, or you'll just forget it all by tomorrow."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Now, can we go before the next class starts?"
Dalian nodded, tucking her notebook into her bag. "Let's go."
With that, they gathered their things and left the classroom, ready to face the rest of the school day.
Dalian and Lydia stepped out of the classroom, blending into the flow of students moving through the hallway. The air buzzed with chatter, lockers slamming, and the occasional laughter echoing through the corridors. Lydia stretched her arms above her head, letting out a small sigh.
"Finally," she muttered. "I thought that math session was going to melt my brain."
Dalian chuckled, hugging her notebook against her chest. "You and me both. Diane makes it look easy, though."
"Yeah, but she's still inside, probably double-checking her notes or something," Lydia said, glancing back toward the classroom.
As they continued walking, a familiar figure leaning casually against the wall caught Dalian's eye. Jack stood there, hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze flicking toward them as they approached.
Lydia noticed him too and nudged Dalian with her elbow. "Well, look who's here. Think he's waiting for someone?"
Dalian swallowed, keeping her expression neutral. "Probably for Diane. They still have presentation stuff to discuss."
Jack straightened up as they neared, his sharp eyes settling on Dalian first before shifting to Lydia. "Where's Diane?"
Lydia smirked. "Still inside, probably rewriting equations for fun."
Jack exhaled through his nose, amused. "Figures." His attention drifted back to Dalian. "And you? Running away from another math lesson?"
Dalian narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"
Jack shrugged. "You looked like you were suffering back there."
Lydia laughed. "She wasn't suffering. She just needed Diane to save her."
Dalian shot Lydia a glare before turning back to Jack. "For your information, I actually understood most of it."
Jack lifted a brow, clearly unconvinced but not pressing further. "Good for you."
Before Dalian could respond, Diane finally emerged from the classroom, adjusting her bag over her shoulder. She barely glanced at Jack as she walked past. "If you're here about the presentation, we can talk after lunch."
Jack pushed off the wall, falling into step beside her. "That's the plan."
Dalian and Lydia exchanged a look before following behind.
As they made their way toward the cafeteria, Dalian couldn't shake the odd feeling bubbling in her chest. It wasn't jealousy—not exactly. But something about seeing Jack and Diane walk ahead together made her feel… off.
She shook the thought away.
It didn't matter. It shouldn't matter.
And yet, for some reason, it did.
As they settled into their usual seats in the cafeteria, the hum of student chatter and the clinking of trays filled the air. Dalian sat beside Lydia, while Diane and Jack took the seats across from them.
Dalian was just about to take a sip of her juice when Lydia suddenly perked up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, well, look who finally decided to show up."
Dalian turned her head just in time to see Anna and Alex making their way toward their table, trays in hand. Anna rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"Lydia, do you ever get tired of teasing?" Anna asked, setting her tray down before sliding into the seat beside Diane. Alex took the seat next to her, casually draping an arm over the back of her chair.
"Never," Lydia said, grinning. "Especially when you two make it so easy. I mean, look at you—walking in together like the definition of a high school romance."
Alex chuckled. "We were just in the library finishing up an assignment."
"Yeah, sure," Lydia smirked, winking at Dalian, who merely shook her head, amused.
Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression before shifting the conversation. "So, about the presentation."
Anna straightened, nodding. "Right. We should meet up one last time before Monday. Just to make sure everything's solid."
"Saturday works," Diane said without hesitation, already pulling out her notebook.
"Saturday, then," Jack agreed.
Anna turned to Dalian and Lydia. "You guys are free to come too. The more, the merrier."
Lydia leaned forward, chin resting on her hand. "Are you bribing us with snacks? Because that would increase our chances of showing up."
Anna laughed. "I'll see what I can do."
Dalian, who had been quietly listening, nodded along. She wasn't part of the presentation, but the idea of watching Jack and Diane work together again sent an odd flutter through her chest.
Lydia nudged her under the table, smirking knowingly.
Dalian ignored it.
"Alright," Anna said, glancing around the table. "Saturday it is."
Jack turned slightly toward Dalian, his expression shifting into one of playful curiosity. He rested an elbow on the table, tilting his head. "Why are you so quiet today?" His voice carried a teasing lilt, his lips curving into a smirk.
Dalian, caught off guard, blinked. "Huh?"
Lydia, sensing an opportunity, leaned in. "Good question, Jack. Dalian's usually the first one throwing sarcastic remarks." She nudged Dalian with her elbow, grinning. "What's up? Cat got your tongue?"
Dalian cleared her throat, quickly looking down at her tray as if her half-eaten meal suddenly required intense focus. "Nothing. Just listening."
Jack chuckled, tapping his fingers against the table. "Really? That's not like you."
Dalian glanced at him from the corner of her eye, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Maybe I just don't have anything to say."
Jack narrowed his eyes slightly, as if studying her, before leaning in just a little. "Or maybe you're just distracted." His voice was light, teasing, but something about the way he said it sent a strange flutter through Dalian's stomach.
Lydia, of course, was loving every second of it. "Ooooh," she hummed, wiggling her brows. "Dalian, distracted? Now, what could possibly be on her mind?"
Dalian groaned, grabbing her drink and taking a sip just to avoid responding.
Jack chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright. I won't pry… for now."
Dalian shot him a glare, but the warmth creeping up her neck betrayed her. Lydia, meanwhile, was practically beaming with amusement.
Anna, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "You guys are impossible," she muttered, shaking her head.
Jack only grinned. "And yet, you still sit with us."
Dalian exhaled, willing her heart to stop its ridiculous fluttering.
She really needed to get a grip.
As they finished their lunch, the group gathered their trays, tossing away any leftovers before heading out of the cafeteria. The halls buzzed with students moving between classes, conversations overlapping in a steady hum of school life.
Dalian walked beside Lydia, her fingers tightening slightly around the strap of her bag. She could still feel the lingering warmth of Jack's teasing words in her mind, though she willed herself to push them aside.
Jack, walking just a step ahead, glanced back at them. "Try not to fall asleep in this one," he teased, flashing a knowing smirk in Dalian's direction.
Dalian rolled her eyes, but Lydia nudged her with an amused grin. "Yeah, Dalian, don't get too distracted."
Dalian sighed. "I hate both of you."
Jack chuckled, while Lydia simply linked her arm with Dalian's. "Sure you do," she chirped.
As they reached the classroom, students were already filing in. Diane was already seated, her focus on the textbook in front of her. Anna and Alex made their way to their seats as well, while Jack slid into his usual spot, stretching out as if getting comfortable for the long lecture ahead.
Dalian settled into her chair, pulling out her notebook just as the door opened and their teacher walked in. The murmurs in the room quieted as the lesson began, the steady rhythm of learning taking over once again.
As the lecture began, the classroom settled into a hushed focus—well, most of it did.
Dalian leaned slightly toward Lydia, whispering under her breath. "I swear, if I have to sit through another one of these equations, I'm going to lose my mind."
Lydia stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. "You and me both. I don't know why they expect us to actually understand all this nonsense."
Jack, sitting a row behind them, overheard their quiet exchange. He smirked, tilting his chair slightly to lean toward them. "You two are the worst at being discreet," he murmured.
Dalian shot him a playful glare. "And you are supposed to be paying attention."
Jack shrugged lazily. "I was—until you two started whispering like a pair of conspirators."
Lydia snickered. "Well, since you're already here, might as well make yourself useful. What's the answer to number three?"
Jack glanced at the open textbook on Lydia's desk, barely sparing it a second before shaking his head. "No clue. But I'm pretty sure it's something with numbers."
Dalian rolled her eyes. "Wow. Very insightful."
Their hushed laughter blended into the classroom's murmurs, but as they continued whispering, they failed to notice the sharp gaze now fixed on them.
A pointed ahem cut through their quiet chatter like a blade.
Mr. Collins stood at the front of the classroom, arms crossed, his expression unimpressed. "Since the three of you seem to have so much to talk about," he said, voice calm but firm, "perhaps you'd like to share your discussion with the entire class?"
The room fell silent.
Dalian felt her stomach drop, while Lydia quickly straightened in her seat, her lips pressing together. Jack, ever unbothered, leaned back with an easygoing shrug. "We were just… exchanging ideas," he said smoothly.
Mr. Collins raised a brow. "How generous of you. Then you won't mind answering the next question on the board?"
Dalian's face burned as she exchanged a quick glance with Lydia—neither of them had been paying attention. Jack, however, barely blinked before giving a half-hearted response.
It was wrong.
The class snickered, and Mr. Collins sighed. "Perhaps next time, you three will focus on the lesson instead of playing commentator in the back of the class."
Dalian sank lower in her chair, Lydia covered her face with her notebook, and Jack? He just smirked, like he found the entire thing amusing.
"Noted," he said casually.
As Mr. Collins turned back to the board, Dalian nudged Jack under the desk, whispering, "I hate you."
Jack grinned. "You're welcome."
As the final bell rang, the class emptied out into the hall, students filtering through the corridors in small groups. Anna and Alex left together, their hands brushing as they exchanged quiet laughter. Diane, as usual, took her own path home, slipping away in her usual composed manner.
Dalian, however, had other plans. She was heading to Lydia's house, and somehow, Jack ended up tagging along.
Lydia walked a few steps ahead, her phone in hand, texting as she hummed to herself. That left Dalian and Jack trailing slightly behind, their conversation flowing as naturally as the breeze outside.
Jack stuffed his hands into his pockets, tilting his head toward her. "So, what do you and Lydia even do when you hang out? Talk about me?" He smirked, clearly teasing.
Dalian scoffed, rolling her eyes. "As if. You're that interesting."
Jack feigned offense, placing a hand over his chest. "Wow. That hurts."
She couldn't help but laugh at his exaggerated expression. "You'll survive."
Jack nudged her shoulder lightly with his own. "Yeah, but barely."
The simple touch sent an unexpected jolt through Dalian, her heart skipping a beat before racing just a little faster. She hoped he didn't notice how she suddenly had to focus on keeping her breathing steady.
Jack glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You always get this quiet when you're flustered?"
Dalian's head snapped toward him, heat rushing to her face. "I—I'm not flustered."
Jack leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make it feel more personal, more intimate. "You sure about that?"
Her throat went dry.
Before she could come up with a proper comeback, Lydia suddenly turned around, eyes flickering between them. A knowing smirk stretched across her lips as she slowed her pace, falling into step beside Dalian.
"Oh, don't mind me," she said, feigning innocence. "You two were just so engrossed in your little moment, I didn't want to interrupt."
Dalian shot her a glare. "Lydia—"
But Lydia was already grinning, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jack, on the other hand, just laughed, unbothered. "What can I say? I'm just that charming."
Lydia leaned in, whispering just low enough for only Dalian to hear. "We are talking about this later."
Dalian didn't respond. She was too busy pretending she wasn't still feeling the ghost of Jack's touch against her shoulder.
As they walked, Jack kept sneaking glances at Dalian. He wasn't sure why, but something about the way she got flustered earlier stuck with him. It was rare to see her like that—usually, she was sharp with her comebacks, quick to roll her eyes at him. But just now, for a split second, she had looked… different.
More vulnerable.
And he noticed.
Maybe it was the way she kept looking away, avoiding his gaze, or the way she fidgeted slightly as if trying to keep herself in check.
Dalian, on the other hand, was painfully aware of his presence beside her. Lydia was a few steps ahead, scrolling through her phone, but Dalian felt like the air between her and Jack was getting heavier by the second.
"Hey," Jack spoke up suddenly, making her jump slightly. "Are you always this quiet?"
Dalian frowned, trying to play it off. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Jack tilted his head slightly. "You've been different since lunch."
Her breath hitched for a moment. Had he really noticed? She forced a shrug. "You're imagining things."
Jack studied her for a moment, as if trying to read between the lines. Then, before she could react, he leaned in slightly, just enough to make her aware of how close he was. "Am I?"
Dalian stiffened. Her heartbeat was suddenly too loud in her ears. She turned her head away quickly, as if the pavement had become the most interesting thing in the world.
Jack smirked at her reaction but didn't push further. Instead, he slowed his pace, walking beside her in comfortable silence.
Lydia, catching the tension from ahead, glanced back and grinned. Oh, she was definitely going to tease Dalian about this later.
As they reached the familiar street corner, the natural parting point in their route home, Jack slowed his steps. He shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing between them.
"Well, this is where I head off," he said casually, his gaze lingering on Dalian for just a second longer than usual.
Dalian nodded, trying to act normal despite the lingering warmth in her chest. "See you Monday."
Jack's lips quirked slightly. "Yeah… see you."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Dalian standing still for a moment, staring at his retreating figure. It was only when Lydia loudly cleared her throat that she snapped back to reality.
"Oh, you are so doomed," Lydia sang, barely able to contain her grin.
Dalian blinked. "What?"
Lydia grabbed her arm and practically dragged her toward the house. "Don't 'what' me! Did you see the way he looked at you?"
Dalian rolled her eyes, trying (and failing) to suppress the heat creeping up her neck. "You're overreacting."
Lydia scoffed. "Oh, please. If I'm overreacting, then why are you blushing?"
"I'm not—"
Lydia pushed the door open and pulled her inside before Dalian could finish her weak protest. The moment they were in, Lydia spun around, her eyes shining with mischief.
"Alright, spill. What was that back there?"
Dalian groaned, already regretting her life choices. "Nothing happened."
Lydia gasped dramatically. "Lies! I saw it! The tension! The stolen glances! The way you practically melted when he leaned in."
Dalian groaned louder, covering her face. "You're impossible."
Lydia plopped onto the couch, grinning. "And you are in denial."
Dalian exhaled, defeated, and dropped beside her. Maybe she was in denial. But even if she didn't want to admit it out loud, she couldn't deny the way her heart had raced when Jack got close.
And that was the real problem.
Lydia leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm as she studied Dalian with an expectant look. "So… are you ready to make a move after the presentation?"
Dalian, who had been pretending to focus on a loose thread on her sleeve, froze for a brief moment before letting out a small sigh. "I'm not sure… I don't think it's a good idea, Lydia."
Lydia's brows knitted together in frustration. "Why not? You like him, don't you?"
Dalian shifted uncomfortably. "Liking someone isn't enough."
Lydia scoffed. "Says who?"
Dalian hesitated before finally voicing what had been bothering her. "I don't even know if he sees me that way. What if he doesn't? What if I make things awkward?"
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. You seriously think he's been acting this way for no reason? The teasing, the way he always finds a way to talk to you, the way he looks at you? Dalian, wake up."
Dalian bit her lip, still unconvinced. "Even if that's true… what if I mess it up? What if I ruin everything?"
Lydia sighed, leaning back against the couch. "You're overthinking this. Look, I'm not saying you have to confess your undying love or anything. Just… give him a sign. See how he reacts. If he's into you, he'll make a move."
Dalian remained quiet, her thoughts tangled in uncertainty.
Lydia nudged her with her foot. "At least promise me you'll think about it."
Dalian exhaled, finally nodding. "Fine. I'll think about it."
Lydia grinned. "That's all I needed to hear."
But as Dalian lay in bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, she wasn't sure thinking about it would make things any easier.