The Philadelphia Museum of Art was massive, elegant, and filled with warm golden lighting that bounced off tall marble pillars. Visitors walked quietly, admiring the artwork.
Arin, Gwen, MJ, and Mary entered the main hall with soft echoes of their footsteps.
Gwen held Arin's left arm.
MJ held his right arm
Mary was walking close to him, pretending to look at sculptures.
---
They entered a large gallery filled with portraits, historical paintings, and mythological scenes.
Gwen pointed excitedly.
"Look, Arin! This one is from the Renaissance era."
MJ leaned closer.
"And this one totally looks like MJ's style."
Arin nodded, calm and attentive.
Mary watched him.
His focus look make him look more handsome .
Mary walked to stand beside him.
"Arin," she said softly, "do you like art?"
He looked at a painting, hands in pockets.
"I like stories," he replied.
"Every painting has one."
Mary smiled, touched.
She didn't feel jealous of Gwen or MJ in this moment.
She simply felt… drawn to him.
Looking at beautiful Paintings
One painting caught Maria's attention.
A mythological scene—
a warrior protecting a goddess from a group of monsters.
Mary stared at it intensely.
He looks like Arin
Strong
And Protective.
Without thinking, she whispered:
"Arin… that painting reminds me of you."
Arin blinked at her.
Mary blushed slightly.
"I mean… the warrior. The way he protects her. The way he stands between danger and the people he cares about."
Her eyes softened.
"That's exactly what you did earlier… when you defended us."
Arin stayed silent for a moment.
Then he nodded once.
"I don't like seeing people hurt."
Mary felt something click inside her.
He didn't fight to look cool.
He fought because he cared.
Her heart beating become faster.
---
While Gwen and MJ moved to another exhibit to take photos, Mary and Arin stayed a few steps behind.
The hall was quiet.
Mary looked up at him, voice gentle.
"Arin… can I ask something?"
He turned slightly.
"Sure."
She hesitated—
then took a tiny breath.
"When you fought those men… weren't you afraid?"
Arin shook his head instantly.
"No."
Mary's eyes widened.
Arin turned to look at a sculpture.
"When someone threatens the people I care about…
fear isn't something I feel."
Mary's heart pounded.
"You… care about us that much?" she whispered.
Arin met her gaze with calm black eyes.
"Yes."
Mary felt heat rush into her cheeks.
Suddenly everything inside her felt light—
like she was floating.
She stepped closer.
So close their shoulders almost touched.
"Arin… you're a good person," she whispered.
"A really, really good person."
He didn't respond—
But the soft look in his eyes was enough.
Mary looked away shyly.
Her heart spoke:
I like him.
I really like him.
---
From the next room, Gwen and MJ peeked around the corner.
MJ narrowed her eyes.
"…Why is Mary standing so close to him ?"
Gwen bit her lip, equally tense.
"They look… kind of intimate."
MJ crossed her arms.
"This is dangerous."
Gwen nodded .
" Yes We need to… stay close to him, to not let other girl steal him."
Both girls hurried back toward Arin.
Mary stepped back as they approached—
But her eyes stayed soft.
Her heart stayed warm.
And her feelings towards Arin change from crush to love without her knowing.
....