• This is surprisingly long, but totally worth it!

Aiden noticed Ashlyn's outstretched hand, signaling a truce. His face, already smiling, lit up even more at the sight. He reached out his hand and they shook on it. His eyes shifted to Y/N, who was lost in thought. A smile spread across his face as he reached out his hand towards her. He extended his hand with his palm facing outward. Y/N was taken aback by this unexpected gesture, feeling like her presence didn't matter much. She hesitated when he motioned for her hand, but eventually gave in and reached out to meet his, not wanting to prolong the moment any further.



When they held hands, the girl's eyes widened briefly at his touch, feeling it was odd. She was surprised by the gentle way he held her hand, wondering if this was a common feeling. Even though this was the second time they had touched hands, it felt like there was a deeper meaning that she couldn't quite understand. When she gazed into his red eyes, she thought about how he saw her when they first met and how that perception had changed over time.

Did he see her as confident and outgoing, or shy and reserved? She may never know for sure, but the thought of how he sees her will always linger in the back of her mind. He was a complete mystery to her, even without him smiling.

The gentle touch of his thumb brushing against her finger made her shudder slightly. Just the light touch of his fingers brushing against hers would have been enough for her to pull away and end it, but she didn't. She didn't know why, or what had come over her in that moment, but she was truly captivated.

As they locked eyes, she continued to gaze into his eyes as he stood by the window, illuminated by light. A small ray of light hit the side of his face, causing his mesmerizing red eyes to sparkle. She couldn't determine if his eye color was real, but the sight before her was truly stunning.

However, she wasn't going to admit it out loud, especially to him. She wasn't sure if he would tease her or if it would boost his ego, but she also didn't want to admit it for her own sake.

Aiden noticed how her body responded when he did that. He didn't expect her to react like that, or for himself to act in that way. Even though he noticed this, he didn't mention it. Y/N didn't expect him to be gentle, considering how extroverted and active he was in dangerous situations.

But here he was, showing a side of himself she had never seen before. It made her question everything she thought she knew about him. Maybe there was more to him than met the eye. Maybe he was capable of tenderness and care, even in the midst of chaos. And maybe, just maybe, she was starting to see him in a different light. The realization both surprised and intrigued her, leaving her with a newfound curiosity about the complexities of his character.

After everything was resolved, Y/N turned their gaze to the side and shook hands with Aiden.

"Wow, that was cringe." a voice said. One of the boys spoke, and since it was silent, they knew it was Tyler. He was heard on the other side of the stairway. Ashlyn's face showed annoyance upon hearing this.

Taylor lightly nudged his stomach, indicating that he was not alone, but rather the rest of the group was also standing by the stairway, listening in.



"I can hear you guys." Ashlyn said, feeling annoyed.

Y/N felt a bit embarrassed. 'Were they seriously there the whole time? Oh my gosh...' She let out a deep sigh as the two finally let go of each other's hands. "Well, now that we've solved the problem, I'm going..."

Y/N headed towards the stairs to leave, but as she descended, something unexpected occurred. Suddenly, her entire life flashed before her eyes in a matter of minutes. She felt confused as she found herself falling headfirst down the stairs.

What made it even more bizarre was that her shoelaces were tied in double knots and tucked inside her shoes, causing her to trip over nothing and tumble down the flight of stairs.

It felt like a scene from a dramatic Korean drama, but this was real life and she was truly terrified. The familiar feeling reminded her of when she fought the phantom, except this time there was no phantom, just a flight of stairs she was about to encounter. Regardless, she knew she was going to meet her demise in some way, whether she escaped unhurt or not. The thought of the fall filled her with fear of the pain it would bring. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, bracing for the impact of the fall.

Aiden and Ashlyn shouted, "Y/N!" as they watched her slip. Ashlyn attempted to grab her, but missed, only touching a small part of her shirt.

Just in time, someone with unexpectedly strong yet gentle arms caught her as she spun briefly while falling, and then everything went silent. She felt herself suspended in mid-air, with someone holding her tightly to keep her from falling to the ground. She sensed that they were close, right in front of her, possibly looking at her.

Sensing the stillness and realizing nothing was happening to her, she decided to open her eyes to see who had saved her.

Y/N was certain it was a boy, not a girl, based on clear signs she couldn't explain. She initially thought it might be Ben because of his strength, but the embrace didn't feel like his usual one. The person holding her felt like they were the same size, or at least she thought so.

They felt warm, possibly because their bodies being pressed together created that sensation, causing the hairs on her neck to stand up. She could almost hear their chest inhaling the air around them, and she was certain their heart was racing just like hers.

Feeling their shadow looming over her as they embraced her, she opened her eyes and saw him. Y/N slowly blinked and saw a tan body, brown hair, and a bewildered yet worried expression on the boy's face. She tried to make sense of her surroundings as Tyler, the hero of the day, held her with a firm yet gentle grip around her waist.

The closeness between them was surprising. He held her close to ensure her safety. She looked at him in shock, meeting his brown eyes. Tyler appeared to be surprised by his own actions.

As Tyler held her tightly in his arms, she felt a strong sense of security. She could feel his brown eyes on her as he studied her facial expression, his gaze locked onto her as they stared at each other in silence. Compared to Aiden, Tyler's eyes had a stern and commanding look, almost intimidating. She wasn't sure if that was his natural expression, but it seemed that way, as he often had a cold glare. However, she didn't see that same look this time. His eyes had a hint of a spark as he stood over her, almost appearing glossy.

He held her close to prevent her from falling, not wanting to remind her of the near fall she had experienced. By now, she had thought he might drop her or let her go after a few seconds, but his embrace lasted longer than expected. She couldn't tell if he was speechless or confused, but he appeared to be experiencing the same whirlwind of emotions as she was.

As the two of them locked eyes, the rest of the group watched in concern but stayed silent, unsure if they should intervene. Y/N felt her body heat up from his intense gaze and the firm grip he had on her, causing her to blush. She could hear him breathing heavily, almost panting. This made her even more embarrassed. Her entire face started to turn red with embarrassment.



The embarrassment was overwhelming, and she wished she could just disappear. She tried to compose herself, but the more she tried to control it, the redder her face became. She felt a mix of confusion, embarrassment, and other emotions she couldn't quite put into words.

Y/N couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was grateful for his quick reflexes that had prevented her from getting hurt, but at the same time, she was confused by the intensity of his gaze and the way he was holding onto her. It was as if there was something more than just concern for her well-being in his actions.

Tyler was clearly caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, and she felt the same way. He also acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation, with a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks. However, he cleared his throat slightly to break the tension between them.

"If you're fine, you can get up now. I'm not strong arms over there." He whispered softly, only audible to her. She blushed in embarrassment, widened her eyes as she realized their position, and noticed the attention they were getting. She quickly moved out of his embrace as Tyler let go and helped her stand up securely. They both took a step back to create some distance between themselves.

The tension between them was palpable, and she wondered what would come next.

Ashlyn and Aiden, who were at the top of the stairs, rushed down with shock and concern. They now stood at the last step, close to the scene. The others who had been standing behind Tyler on the other side of the stairway were surprised as they moved up a few steps and paused. The group stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the situation. Despite this, they all felt a mix of emotions and had various thoughts running through their minds.

The tan boy thought, 'That was... really close.' Tyler thought back to when he saw Y/N falling. When he heard the shock and concern in Ashlyn's and Aiden's voices, he quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw what was happening. He happened to be nearby and reacted quickly. '-But why is my heart beating so fast?'

Was it out of fear or concern?

He wasn't sure. Maybe.

He still vividly remembered the shocked expression in her eyes and the way she looked at him, which felt strangely unfamiliar. He couldn't tell if she was looking at him with gratitude or confusion - it seemed like a mix of both. However, for some reason, he felt embarrassed.

"Are you both alright?" Logan, the boy with brown hair, asked with concern about their well-being as he continued up a few more steps, breaking the long silence.

Y/N stammered, "Um, yeah... I'm fine." The blush on her cheeks began to fade, but her heart was still pounding from the intense moment that had just happened.

Tyler reassured, "Yeah, we're okay," as he fixed his jacket. He then excused himself and suggested, "We should head to class." Tyler was the first to start walking down the remaining stairs. His usual stern expression returned as he passed by the others, not bothering to look at them.

"Ty is right. We should start moving because class will be starting soon," Taylor said with a small smile, agreeing with her brother as she followed behind him.

After she spoke, everyone else followed suit. The rest of the walk to class was silent, with no one daring to mention the moment the two had just shared.



After a long and dreadful day of taking the midterm, it was finally over. She felt like she barely passed the test, not even sure what it was about - math, science, social studies, English, or all of the above. She remembers that Ashlyn, the group, and herself had a study session at Ashlyn's house a couple of days ago. However, she honestly forgot what she learned during that time.

With so many thoughts in her head, she felt distracted and didn't even feel like studying. Even though she did study, she instantly forgot everything when midnight came. Concentrating was difficult for her, but she prayed for the best outcome.

After school, the group planned to go to Ashlyn's house. Unfortunately, Y/N couldn't make it because she had some things to take care of at home. However, she still wanted to join in the celebration. They had all worked hard and come a long way, so they deserved to celebrate their achievements from the night before.

Y/N was at home washing the few dishes in the kitchen, now dressed in different clothes. Her grandparents and dad were somewhere in the house, but she was too focused on the dishes to pay much attention to her surroundings. Her phone was nearby on the counter for the group to text her updates, as they had promised to keep her posted. As she washed the dishes, her mind wandered back to an incident with Tyler. She couldn't shake the memory of the way he looked at her and how they were caught in an intense moment. It felt like a cliché romance scenario, with their breathing in sync and staring into each other's eyes. Just thinking about it made her blush, causing her to squeeze one of the white plates she was washing, soap still on her hands.

'Why am I even thinking about that?'

Y/N closed her eyes and took a deep breath to clear her mind. She didn't have time to be thinking about romance right now. It's not that she's against it, but at the moment, it's not her main focus.

Love... What is love?

Love is often described as a wonderful emotion, similar to a beautiful sensation. It involves cherishing and valuing someone as unique and special.

That question may have been a silly to ask.

But when has she ever experienced a relationship?

She has been so isolated in her room, dealing with her mother's death, depression, and school work that the idea of being in a relationship hasn't even crossed her mind. She doesn't think it would be a good idea for her to have one anyway. But she can't help but wonder what it's like, especially since she has seen her parents love each other. She is young and should be enjoying her youth, finding love, and living happily. However, she knows that these things aren't easy to come by. While love may not be a necessity, she can't help but ponder about it.

After finishing washing the dishes, Y/N turned off the faucet and was lost in thought. Suddenly, a voice from the side startled her, making her jump a little.

"What's got you so in thought, dear?" asked her father, D/N, as he stood in the wide corridor with his arms crossed. He leaned against the wall, his rolled-up sleeves revealing his arm muscles. He was wearing a dark blue half-sleeve shirt and joggers.

After recovering from her surprise, she turned her head and saw a gentle, warm smile directed towards her as he slowly approached. "Ah, nothing important."

"It looks like you're lost in thought. I've never seen you so spaced out before. You must be really deep in your thoughts."

Y/N hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to bring it up to him. However, she remembered her desire to be more open, so she eventually decided to go ahead and tell him.

"Um, well... how can I explain this without giving you the wrong idea? It's just that-" She seemed to be having a hard time. "Okay... um, how can you tell when you truly care about someone?"

D/N appeared surprised by the question, his eyes widening slightly. He needed a moment to think before responding. He couldn't help but smile and chuckle, then playfully ruffled her head.

"When you care about someone, you want to make sure they are okay by checking up on them, providing help and support, and feeling a connection by wanting to know more about the person." He leaned back on the counter next to Y/N, crossing his arms as he looked at her.

"Does it happen to, I don't know... have anything to do with a spark?"

"Hmm, a spark? What type of spark are you talking about?" He gazed at her for a moment before a playful smile spread across his face. "Could it be that you're in love?"

If Y/N were to take a sip of any drink, she would definitely choke or spit it out in shock. Her cheeks turned slightly red without her noticing. She looked at her dad with a mix of surprise and annoyance at his assumption.

"What? Me? In love? Yeah, as if anyone would fall in love with someone like me. People don't know me... and I highly doubt anyone would like me. I barely know anyone." She glanced at the ground.

"What about that friend group of yours."

"We are just... classmates who help each other in class..."

"Hmm, doesn't seem that way."

"Then what does it seem to you.

"I think you love them."

Y/N would definitely spit out her drink if she was drinking something right now.

She was shocked and her cheeks turned even redder. 'What is he talking about?!' Y/N glanced at her dad, who was chuckling at the girl's reaction.

"Haha...I'm sorry, but you misunderstood me. What I meant was that you care for them. There are two different types of love: one based on care and the other on passion." He gestured with two fingers to emphasize his point as he explained.

Y/N was unsure how to feel when she heard this. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate his advice, but it made her start thinking. She was lost in her thoughts and feeling a bit spaced out. D/N, noticing her state, placed a hand on her head to comfort her. She looked to her side and saw his smile.

D/N thought for a moment. "A spark is like a connection that goes both ways, depending on how you perceive it."

Y/N sighed, appearing slightly frustrated or confused. "You see, that's the thing... The thing is, it's been a long time since I've had to think about how I feel about someone and I can't seem to find the right words to describe my emotions. Maybe I do care for them, but I'm in denial or something. I'm not sure..."

"Starting fresh, caring for someone means forming a bond by going through experiences together. However, caring for someone doesn't always require shared experiences; it is a natural feeling that can be expressed in various ways. Unexpected things can happen, but to truly care for someone, you must recognize it within yourself." He asked with a smile, "So, do you care for them?"

Y/N was frozen, unsure of how to respond. She felt like avoiding answering such a question. Maybe she knew the answer but didn't want to face it, or maybe she didn't want to admit the truth, or perhaps she wasn't ready to admit it. However, deep down, isn't that what she wanted - confirmation?

She had been so lost trying to figure out her own feelings that she seemed to want to avoid it altogether.

Was she scared to admit the truth and be more open?

Her words were stuck, unable to properly express her thoughts, adding to her confusion. Being asked this question made her feel like she was put on the spot, which she was, but she knew she had to answer. After a period of silence, she was finally prepared to answer her own question.

"I'm not quite, yet..."

D/N was clearly confused and not expecting this type of response, but he understood instantly.

"I'm not sure about the answer right now, but I'm not going to give up on finding it. I think I need some time to fully understand and figure it out. For now, I'll set it aside and come back to it when I have the answer."

"It's okay, take your time. I know it will take time for you to understand your own thoughts and feelings. My best advice is that if you're struggling to express yourself, try to share even a small thought so that others can better understand you." He gently placed a hand on her cheek, showing his affection. "Alright, I'll be upstairs. Call me when you're ready to go, okay." He said as he gently pulled away his hand from the girls cheek.

And just like that, she found herself alone in the kitchen, reflecting deeply on his words and choices. With a sigh, she moved to the living room, settling on the couch with her phone. As she lay back, staring at the ceiling, she felt uncertain about her actions. She struggled to articulate her feelings of vulnerability and fear of being judged if she expressed her true thoughts and emotions. Despite putting on a facade of strength, she had moments of weakness that she tried to hide.

The past month had been filled with unexplainable events and danger, leaving her feeling like she was losing her mind. She knew it was okay to be weak, but she feared the reactions of others if she showed her vulnerabilities. She kept her past hidden, not wanting to confront it or feel anything.

In her heart, she knew that being weak wasn't a bad thing because everyone experiences weakness. However, she was hesitant to have her weaknesses exposed and was unsure of how others would react - whether with pity or understanding. She didn't want her past to be brought up, as it was like an unspoken part of her life that she preferred to keep buried. This reluctance to address her past made her appear nonchalant at times. She considered the group more as acquaintances initially, but over time, she realized they were more than that. She didn't want to admit it out loud, as she needed time to process the idea of having true friends after so many years.

Checking her phone, she expected a message, which turned out to be from the group chat, not surprising her at all.



★_

AIDEN CLARK - I'm already feeling excited already!!

TYLER HERNANDEZ - It's clear already.

BEN CLARK - I thought you were going to inform Y/N about the news privately.

AIDEN CLARK - Ehhh, why not here?

TAYLOR HERNANDEZ - It's not that it's a problem, it's just that we're all here with you. Literally.

AIDEN CLARK - Ah, yeah, but what's the fun in that? 😃😉

TYLER HERNANDEZ - It's really not.

YOU - Umm, what's going on?

LOGAN FIELDS - We're having a barbecue in a week at Ashlyn house.

YOU - Why?

TAYLOR HERNANDEZ - It's to celebrate Ben's sister birthday. He wants to invite us.

AIDEN CLARK - It'll be fun!

YOU - Ah... My congratulations.

LOGAN FIELDS - Are you not coming?

YOU - I don't know.

AIDEN CLARK - You should totally come!

ASHLYN BANNER - Aiden... Boundaries.

TAYLOR HERNANDEZ - It's all right if you can't come.

YOU - No, umm sorry...

I didn't mean to make the mood gloomy.

I just have a lot on my mind and I'm not sure if I can possibly make it.

AIDEN CLARK - Awwww 🥲🥲🥲

ASHLYN BANNER - Well it's in a week, so take your time.

YOU - Alright, thanks for the heads up.

TAYLOR HERNANDEZ - Absolutely!

LOGAN FIELDS - No problem Y/N.

BEN CLARK - ☺️☺️

TYLER HERNANDEZ - Sure ...

ASHLYN BANNER - Np

AIDEN CLARK - ^^^^

ASHLYN BANNER - Also, I'll send you the coordinates to where we'll meet.

★_

After receiving the location for the celebration, she realized it was going to be at an arcade. She hadn't realized there was a full arcade here before, likely because she hadn't explored much of the area. She lazily flopped her hand on the couch, holding her phone, and let out a sigh.

'Something to drink would be nice.' Y/N got up from the couch and brought her phone with her. She looked in the cabinet and picked out a glass cup.

It was a bit lazy to search for a non-glass cup, but she made do with what she had. She poured herself a drink, whether it was tea, water, juice, or soda - she didn't really care. She just felt like having a drink.

As she returned to the living room with a glass and phone in each hand, taking a light sip of her drink, the doorbell rang, causing a small hum to escape her lips. She wondered if it was mail or a guest, feeling curious. Slowly walking to the door while sipping her drink, she glanced up the stairs but didn't see or hear anyone coming down.

The doorbell rang again, making her gaze turn towards the door. Despite not thinking much of it, she decided to answer the door, assuming it was probably mail or a guest.

However, as soon as she opened the door, the glass in her hand suddenly fell in slow motion, crashing loudly. She seemed to have lost control of her senses, causing her drink to fall as she looked at the person without caring about the mess she made. Her eyes widened in shock as she backed away from the unexpected sight in front of her.

"Hello... Y/N."

Y/N immediately recognized the person standing in front of her. He was a tan-skinned male with a soft voice. He seemed to be looking at something precious in front of him, a smile appearing on his face. However, he looked a bit surprised to see the glass on the floor. As he looked up, his gaze softened, almost appearing sad. Footsteps from upstairs quickly made their way downstairs to investigate the crashing sound. It was D/N.

"Y/N, what's wrong?!" The frightened man looked slightly panicked and worried by the sudden glass breaking.

He glanced at Y/N and saw that she wasn't hurt, which relieved him. However, he couldn't help but notice how his daughter's gaze was fixated on the door. As he looked at the open door, he immediately recognized the person standing there and they made eye contact.

Y/N glanced at her father in shock, wondering if he was aware of the situation. "Dad... What's going on?"

"Drake...?" D/N softly mumbled, "You're here." He slowly descended the steps, keeping his eyes locked on the male with hazel eyes. "I don't understand, I thought you were coming in a few more weeks?" He asked with a slightly happy smile, his cheeks blushing lightly.

'What...'

"Well, I wanted to come here as soon as possible. I couldn't wait."

As the two men locked eyes, Y/N focused her gaze on Drake, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite explain. Her heart was racing, not out of fear, but from adrenaline - a familiar sensation. She had felt this before, back when Barron was hurting Logan. The tightness in her chest was the same. Unconsciously, she was gripping her phone so tightly to control her emotions that she risked breaking it. The overwhelming anger and frustration she felt in that moment was indescribable. Drake Lincoln, the man who had disappeared from her life years ago, was suddenly standing on her grandparents' doorstep.

He was...

.

.



.

Her father.



More Y/N lore...

I have never felt so terrifyingly excited to post this, why? Y'all gonna judge me for sure, and the questions? Yep... done know it ... 😭😭

Drama...

Hope you liked it. The moments too. I had to get some in here somehow.

Lol... I'm sorry, Lmao. 🤣🤣🤣

Also, here's how Drake looks [Yes... He's an OC.]



*NOT MY ART*