[David's POV]
The game wrapped up with the last pins clattering dramatically before the final scores lit up on the screen.
After slipping off our bowling shoes and grabbing what was left of the drinks and snacks, the group slowly began to scatter, gathering coats and stretching out sore shoulders.
Elena and I had drifted to the side near the vending machines, a small quiet corner away from the noise.
I looked at her, lips twitching into a grin. "You weren't too bad yourself, Coach."
"Oh please," she rolled her eyes. "You just needed someone to stop you from flinging the ball like a medieval catapult."
"Hey, I was showing enthusiasm," I said, mock-offended. "And expressing force. With intent."
She laughed, that soft, melodic kind that I was starting to like a little too much.
Everyone was still buzzing around, gathering jackets, shoes, leftover food. It felt like a natural end to the night.
I stood up, grabbed my jacket… and paused.
Then turned to her.
"So… this was fun," I said, quieter now. Just between us.
She tilted her head. "Yeah. It was."
I met her gaze, steady. "Wanna do it again sometime? Just you and me?"
She blinked. Just once. Then smiled she slowly, brightly.
"Are you asking me out on a date, David?"
"Depends," I said. "Are you saying yes?"
She laughed again, and this time there was a faint hint of pink on her cheeks.
"Yes," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Definitely yes."
I nodded, stuffing my hands into my jacket pockets to keep from doing something dumb, like fist-pumping the air. "Cool. I'll text you."
"I'll be waiting."
Just like that, the noise of the others faded into the background. For a moment, it was just her and me standing near the ball return machine, grinning like idiots.
Jayden passed by, giving me a suspicious glance. "What'd I miss?"
"Nothing important," I said, walking past him as Elena fell into step beside me.
---
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[Elena's POV]
As we exited the bowling alley, the crisp night air was a refreshing contrast to the clatter of pins and the scent of fried food that had filled the evening. The neon lights cast shadows on the pavement as our group ambled towards the parking lot, laughter still bubbling from our recent game.
David walked beside me, his presence both comforting and slightly electrifying after our earlier conversation. Before we reached the cars, Sophie turned to him, her expression sincere. "Hey, David," she began, drawing everyone's attention. "We never really got to thank you for what you did at the nightclub a month ago. Stepping in like that... it meant a lot to all of us."
Izzy nodded, her usual playful demeanor momentarily subdued. "Seriously. Things could've gone south fast if you hadn't been there."
David shrugged modestly, a faint smile on his lips. "I'm just glad I was there at the right time."
Nat grinned. "Well, right place, right time or not, you're officially our hero."
David chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll add it to my résumé."
With final waves and exchanged goodbyes, David and Jayden headed towards his car, and we made our way to ours.
With final waves and exchanged goodbyes, David headed towards his car, and we made our way to ours. As we piled in, the atmosphere shifted, the air thick with unspoken curiosity. I could feel the weight of their glances, especially Sophie's, who was practically vibrating with anticipation.
The moment the doors closed, Sophie twisted in her seat to face me directly. "Alright, spill. What were you and David talking about back there?"
I felt my cheeks warm. "Oh, nothing much," I attempted, focusing intently on fastening my seat belt.
Izzy leaned in from the backseat. "Nothing much? That didn't look like 'nothing much.' That looked like 'something something.'"
Nat chimed in. "Come on, Elena. We've seen that look before. Details, please."
Before I could formulate a response, Izzy sighed dramatically, leaning back. "I mean, I get it. Those arms? That chest? The man is a walking thirst trap."
Nat nodded in agreement. "Seriously. Does he have a license for those biceps?"
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Can we not objectify the man?"
Sophie smirked. "Oh, we absolutely can. But fine, we'll focus. Did he ask you out?"
I peeked at them through my fingers, their eager faces leaving no room for evasion. "Yes," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
A collective squeal erupted, causing me to wince and the driver, Ryan, to chuckle from the front seat. "Ladies, my eardrums," he teased, though his amused glance in the rearview mirror showed he was just as interested.
Liam, seated beside him, turned slightly, his expression thoughtful. "I have to say, David is... well, hot."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the comment. "Really?"
Liam nodded, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh, absolutely. If I thought I had a chance, I'd be all over that."
The car filled with laughter, mine included. "Well," Liam continued, "since it's clear he's got eyes only for you, I'll gracefully bow out."
Ethan, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "He's been watching you, Elena. Not in a creepy way, but... attentive. It's obvious he cares."
His words added a layer of depth to the conversation, and I felt a flutter in my chest. "You think so?"
Ethan nodded. "Absolutely."
Izzy sighed dreamily. "This is like something out of a rom-com. Mysterious, handsome guy saves the day and then falls for our leading lady."
Nat grinned. "And now they're going on a date. Classic."
Sophie leaned in closer. "So, when is this date happening?"
I smiled, the excitement infectious. "We haven't set a time yet. He said he'd text me."
Izzy waggled her eyebrows. "Ooh, the anticipation."
Liam placed a hand over his heart, feigning emotion. "Our little Elena, all grown up and dating superheroes."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You all are ridiculous."
Nat nudged me gently. "But you love us."
I sighed, a smile tugging at my lips. "That I do."
---
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[Jayden's POV]
The ride back was filled with that kind of silence that isn't awkward at all—just easy. The kind that comes after a night where everything clicked. For once, I wasn't counting down the minutes until I could go home and retreat into my room. Tonight had been... fun. Like, real fun. The kind I hadn't had in what felt like forever.
David was driving, one hand on the wheel, the other draped casually over the gearshift. The streetlights slid across his face in intervals, soft golden slashes of light that came and went. He wasn't smiling exactly, but he looked lighter. More relaxed. And for David, that was basically the equivalent of someone doing cartwheels in public.
We didn't talk much, but we didn't need to. The air in the car was calm. Comfortable. I liked it.
When we pulled into the lot behind our building and stepped out, he waited for me like he always did. He didn't have to, but he always did.
As we started up the stairs toward our respective apartments—mine on the second floor, his one flight up—he suddenly spoke.
"Happy birthday, Jayden."
I paused on the step, blinked, and turned to look at him.
"What?"
He gave me a small, knowing smile. "You heard me."
"But… how did you—? I didn't tell anyone."
David just shrugged, that smug-but-not-in-a-jerk-way expression tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I have my ways."
Of course he did.
I narrowed my eyes at him like I was annoyed, but I wasn't. Not even a little. "Creepy, but cool," I muttered.
"Sleep tight, birthday boy," he said, tapping the railing once before heading up the next flight.
I shook my head and laughed softly to myself, still smiling as I unlocked my apartment and stepped inside.
The second I closed the door behind me, I noticed something new sitting on my desk.
On the desk sat something wrapped in gift paper, topped with a simple folded sticky note. I walked over, peeled the note off, and read:
"Build your future. And don't let anyone screw with it."–D.
I stared at the note for a second, then carefully unwrapped the paper.
Inside was a laptop.
Not just any laptop.
The laptop.
The top-tier model I'd drooled over, that had always been out of reach. High-spec, maxed-out, sleek as hell.
My fingers hovered over the cool surface of the lid, hesitant to touch it like it was made of glass.
This wasn't just generous.
It was... insane.
And yet, somehow, perfectly David. Understated but thoughtful. No birthday banner. No card with a funny joke or cake with my name on it. Just a perfect machine and a sticky note with four words that said more than most people had ever said to me on my birthday.
And then it hit me—this was my first birthday gift.
Ever.
Not a cake or a card. Not some halfhearted dollar-store gift from a pitying teacher. This was the first time someone went out of their way, thought about what I'd like, and gave me something without expecting anything in return.
My throat tightened a little. I blinked fast and stared at the screen as I booted it up, watching the glow fill the dark room.
He didn't have to do this.
Hell, no one ever had.
But David did.
And the way he did it? Like it was no big deal.
I looked down at the note again.
I didn't know if I could. But I was going to try.
Because someone believed I could.
It was a message.
I sat down slowly, fingertips gliding across the keyboard, and booted it up. It purred to life like a beast ready to take on the world. My world.
I leaned back in my chair, smiling like an idiot again.
"Thanks, man," I whispered, even though he wasn't here to hear it.
---
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[David's POV]
I didn't bother turning on the lights. I could move through this place with my eyes closed.
I tossed my keys onto the counter and headed straight for the laptop.
"Welcome back, sir," Gideon greeted.
"Gideon, how much of the task is done? And just call me David," I said, pulling out the chair and sitting down.
"Understood, David. Most tasks have been completed. The exception is Hammer Industries—progress has been slow due to suboptimal internet speed. I recommend upgrading our hardware and bandwidth to ensure more efficient processing."
"Yeah, I know." I rubbed my face, fatigue starting to creep in. "We really need a proper base of operations… and better gear."
"Alright, lay it on me," I said, leaning back. "What have you processed so far?"
To Be Continued...