Time for another entry

As Cynthia and Tian stood together near the school grounds, their eyes locked in a moment of shared understanding.

The setting sun cast a warm glow on the school grounds, illuminating the vibrant green of the grass and the deep red bricks of Fairview High School along with the pairs of hazel and brown eyes of the two who stood facing each other.

For a brief second, it felt like the world had paused just for them, their surroundings blurring into insignificance.

Tian noticed the hint of sadness in Cynthia's eyes, a shadow that dulled their usual sparkle. He wanted to ask, to say something that would make her feel better—anything that would make her feel better by her guarded stance, he could decipher that she probably wouldn't like it. So, he decided to be there for her in a subtle, supportive way.

"You know," Tian began, his voice soft yet steady, "sometimes it helps to have a friend you can lean on. Just saying."

Cynthia looked up at him, her eyes searching his. She gave a small nod, appreciating his words more than she could express. "Thanks, Tian. I…really appreciate that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"By the way, you are here early?", she asked, now both leaning onto the surface of car as they stood facing their school. "Yeah, I came here to accompany you just in case your work gets done before our time of meeting.", he answered as his eyes searched for hers and when they met, he continued, "and looking at you now, I feel like I did well."

Amidst the words spoken by him, Cynthia felt her heart thundering in her chest as she suddenly felt the urge to cry. In addition to her previous thoughts about her parents, she felt overwhelmed by the warm gesture done by him.

Their moment was interrupted by the arrival of Nia, who bounded up to them with her usual exuberance. Giving a fleeting hug to Tian, she wrapped her arms around Cynthia, gently swaying her body as she whispered, "You okay?"

Cynthia felt her pulling away from the hug as she nodded with a smile, "Yes, I am."

"That's great and yes, you two! Are you ready for some fun today?" Nia's energy was infectious, her bright smile lighting up her face.

Cynthia and Tian exchanged a quick glance, a small hanging on their lips. "Yeah, we are," Tian replied with a grin, his spirits lifting.

As they turned to head towards the parking lot, Cynthia felt the weight on her shoulders lighten just a little. Nia's cheerful chatter filled the air, breaking the somber spell that had momentarily settled over them.

Ryan's car pulled up, the engine purring smoothly. He rolled down the window, his sunglasses reflecting the setting sun's light. "Hop in, everyone!" Ryan called out, his voice laced with playful excitement.

Nia quickly claimed the passenger seat, turning back to Tian and Cynthia with a grin. "Guess that means you two are in the back!"

Tian and Cynthia slid into the backseat, and Ryan drove off. The conversation in the front was lively, but Tian noticed that Cynthia remained quiet, lost in her thoughts. He wanted to say something comforting but was unsure how to begin.

The ride was filled with the couple's chatter in the front where Tian and Cynthia joined in between, yet Cynthia refused to speak more than necessary.

As they drove, the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over everything. The sky was a canvas of orange, pink, and purple, each color blending seamlessly into the next. Nia caught Ryan's eye and gave him a playful wink while pointing at the back with the movement of her eyes. He smirked and after a while, he suddenly took a sharp turn, causing the car to lurch.

Cynthia, caught off guard, fell right against Tian. His instincts kicked in and, his hand gripped her wrist while his other hand supported her back.

Their faces were just inches apart, and for a moment, they were both acutely aware of each other. The air was thick with an unspoken connection, and Tian could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

"You two okay back there?" Nia asked, her tone teasing, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Cynthia quickly straightened up, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. "Yeah, we're fine," she replied, her voice a little breathless.

Tian released her gently, feeling the warmth of her skin lingering on his fingers. "Yeah, all good here," he echoed, trying to steady his own racing heart.

Ryan chuckled. "Good, because we're almost there," he said, his eyes meeting Tian's in the rearview mirror, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

The rest of the drive passed in a blur, and soon they arrived at the arcade. The building was alive with flashing neon lights and the cacophony of various games. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, the clinking of coins, and the electronic beeps and boops of the games.

Nia and Ryan, hand in hand, immediately headed for the racing games, their competitive spirits already ignited, leaving Tian and Cynthia standing by the entrance with a wave.

As they wandered into the arcade, Tian's eyes caught sight of a row of basketball machines, their bright orange hoops and basketballs inviting a challenge. He nudged Cynthia playfully, pointing towards the game. "How about a little one-on-one?" he suggested with a grin, the competitive spark in his eyes hard to miss.

Cynthia glanced at the game, her lips curving into a smile. "You're on," she replied, her voice tinged with excitement, dimming the remnants of her previous sadness. They approached the machines, each grabbing a ball. The overhead lights cast a warm glow on their faces, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Tian inserted a coin into the machine, and the countdown began. The machine whirred to life, the hoops moving side to side in a rhythmic pattern. "Ready, set, go!" Tian announced as the timer started, and they both began shooting.

Cynthia's first shot bounced off the rim, but she quickly adjusted, sinking the next one with ease. She shot Tian a triumphant look as he made his second basket. "Don't get too cocky," he teased, aiming for another shot.

Their competitive spirits were fully ignited, each shot becoming more precise and determined. The sound of basketballs hitting the backboard and swishing through the nets mixed with their laughter and playful banter.

"Nice shot!" Tian complimented as Cynthia made a perfect basket, her form flawless.

"Thanks!" she replied, her cheeks flushed with exertion and joy. She was surprised at how much fun she was having, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten.

As the game progressed, their scores climbed higher. The timer ticked down, adding urgency to their movements. Tian, noticing Cynthia's growing confidence, decided to step up his game. He made a series of quick, accurate shots, pulling ahead slightly.

Cynthia, not to be outdone, focused intensely, her determination evident in every movement. She managed to close the gap, her final shots flying true.

The timer buzzed, signaling the end of the game. They both turned to the scoreboard, breathless and eager to see the results. "And the winner is..." Tian began, pausing for dramatic effect.

"It's a tie!" Cynthia exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise and amusement. They both laughed, the tension of the competition melting away.

"Good game," Tian said, offering his hand for a high-five. Cynthia slapped his hand, the sound echoing in the bustling arcade.

"Yeah, it was," she agreed, her smile wide and genuine. "You're pretty good at this."

"Not too bad yourself," he replied, his eyes twinkling with admiration. "Want to try another round?"

"Absolutely," Cynthia said, her competitive spirit reignited. "This time, I'm definitely winning."

They played another round, their skills improving with each shot. The arcade lights flickered, casting colorful reflections on their faces. Each basket brought a cheer or a playful taunt, their connection deepening with every shared moment.

Eventually, they were joined by Nia and Ryan, who had noticed their intense game. "You two look like you're having fun," Nia said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Just a little friendly competition," Tian replied, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Who won?" Ryan asked, glancing between them.

"We tied," Cynthia said with a laugh. "But I'm ready for a rematch."

"Count us in," Nia said, grabbing a basketball. "Let's make it a team game."

They split into teams, Tian and Cynthia against Nia and Ryan. The game was filled with laughter, playful shouts, and the sound of bouncing basketballs. The competitive energy was contagious, and the arcade seemed to come alive with their enthusiasm.

As the final buzzer sounded, Tian and Cynthia narrowly edged out a victory, their teamwork shining through. Her eyes widened, her lips stretching to wear the widest that she could muster, her arms raised upwards to cheer for their win as she tilted her body towards him and saw Tian in a similar state…so, she let her intrusive thoughts win, her arms wrapping around his neck as she engulfed him into a hug.

She felt his body momentarily freezing against her as her mind started to fill in with thoughts of regret but her worries were subdued when she felt his arms coming around her waist, flushing her body against him.

The hug ended just as fast as it came as they faced the couple who looked at them with teasing smiles.

"Good game, everyone," Tian said, his smile refusing to back down as he looked at the girl beside him. "We should do this more often."

"I agree," Cynthia said, leaning into his side, feeling a warmth spread through her. The day had turned out better than she could have imagined, filled with laughter, and competition, and it appeared to be ending on a wonderful thanks to Tian.

'Dear Diary, It's time for another entry.'