The day had slipped by quietly at the beach.
At some point, Allan had taken off his shoes as well, rolling up the hem of his trousers slightly as the waves brushed against their feet. The water had been cool, the sand soft beneath them. The weather felt kind against the skin — the wind mild, carrying the scent of salt and something calming.
They had walked across the vast stretch of sand, speaking of insignificant things.
Laughing at insignificant things.
For those hours, the looming dread of what was to come felt distant. Almost nonexistent.
Almost.
But every now and then, that slight pinching pain returned.
A subtle, constant reminder.
Five days.
Later, they sat side by side, watching the waves tumble into each other endlessly before crashing onto the shore in soothing rhythm.
Elaine had asked him about himself again.
As usual, he didn't divulge much.
But this time, his answers weren't as dismissive.
There were pauses. Slight openings. Fragments of information that felt intentional.
It gave her hope.
Maybe one day she would truly know him.
And maybe that day wasn't so far away.
The walk back home was unhurried.
Casual.
Their hands intertwined, Allan swinging their joined hands like a pendulum.
Elaine groaned playfully.
"If you don't stop, my arm is going to fall off," she complained dramatically.
He chuckled softly.
And instead of stopping, he swung their hands higher.
Almost testing it.
She laughed despite herself.
Then—
"Elaine!"
A male voice called out.
They both turned.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Leonard… and Helena beside him.
Right.
They didn't live too far from here.
Had they promised to visit? She couldn't remember.
Her shock quickly melted into a bright smile as she waved enthusiastically.
They had stopped walking, waiting for Leonard and Helena to reach them.
Elaine felt genuinely pleased.
But Allan—
Allan's smile disappeared.
Not gradually.
Instantly.
His hand slipped from hers.
It returned to his hoodie pocket as though it had never belonged in hers to begin with.
His expression turned distant. Guarded.
The Allan at the beach had vanished.
She frowned slightly at the sudden loss of contact.
She didn't like this version.
"I wasn't expecting you both," Elaine said brightly as they approached.
"Neither were we," Leonard replied with a small laugh.
Helena remained silent.
She didn't acknowledge Elaine properly.
Her eyes flickered toward Allan once.
Twice.
He didn't react.
"Where are you heading?" Leonard asked.
"Home," Elaine replied.
His brows furrowed.
"Home?" he repeated, his gaze sliding meaningfully to Allan.
And then realization dawned.
Oh.
"He's j—"
"Let's go," Allan cut in smoothly before she could explain something she didn't owe anyone.
"You heading the same way?" she asked quickly.
Leonard nodded.
So they began walking together.
Allan didn't walk fast, so she stayed beside him.
Leonard and Helena followed behind.
The silence stretched.
But not for long.
Suddenly, someone gripped her hand.
Firm.
Unyielding.
Elaine's steps faltered.
She turned.
Helena.
Her eyes were sharp.
Filled with questions.
Without asking, she slowed their pace, pulling Elaine slightly behind the others.
Allan noticed she wasn't beside him anymore.
But he didn't turn around.
He continued walking.
Now almost side by side with Leonard.
"Are the both of you living together?" Helena asked bluntly.
No hesitation.
No politeness.
Just hostility.
Elaine blinked.
She had almost forgotten Helena's quiet resentment.
The last time she remembered clearly was when Helena had walked into the compound and glared at her while she stood with Allan.
There had been something raw in that look.
"Are you living together?" Hannah repeated.
Elaine hesitated.
What was she supposed to say?
Allan was known at school for being a recluse.
Reserved.
Untouchable.
"Um… he's just staying over," she answered truthfully.
Helena clicked her tongue in obvious disdain.
"But the last I remember," she said sharply, "you said he lived nearby. Now he's staying over?"
Her words were harsh.
Too harsh.
Why did Allan staying at her house matter so much?
"You know you're a cheap liar."
Elaine felt the insult sting.
But she didn't react.
She kept her expression neutral.
Waiting.
"I asked you before if there was anything between you two," Helena continued, her voice trembling now with something deeper than anger. "And you said no."
Her eyes glistened faintly.
"You gave me false hope."
Ah.Understanding settled.
Helena liked Allan.
"Well… there isn't anything going on between us," Elaine said softly.
Her voice was low.
Careful.
"We're just friends."
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if that was entirely true.
Because Allan's emotions were fickle.
One moment they were close.
The next, strangers.
"Friends?" Helena repeated mockingly.
"I'm not joking," Elaine insisted.
"You've ever seen Allan with a girlfriend?" she added gently.
Helena hesitated.
No.
"There's nothing going on," Elaine continued. "We're not even that close. You know how he is. Sometimes it's hard to even put up with him."
She softened her tone deliberately.
Soothing.
Reassuring.
"Really?" Helena asked, doubt clouding her voice.
"Yes."
Silence stretched between them.
"I don't believe you," Helena said finally.
"I'm telling the truth," Elaine pressed quietly.
Helena studied her face.
Then she leaned closer.
"If you're really just his friend… help me."
Elaine blinked.
"What?"
"I really like Allan," Helena whispered. "But I don't know how to approach him."
She glanced ahead to ensure Leonard couldn't hear.
And Allan—
Allan, who seemed engrossed in whatever Leonard was saying.
Or pretending to be.
"Help me," Helena repeated, her tone now almost pleading.
Elaine felt something twist inside her.
She had just insisted they were only friends.
Which was true.
But that didn't mean she didn't feel something.
Didn't mean she didn't hope for something more.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she forced a small smile.
"Sure," she whispered back.
And the word tasted far more bitter than she expected.