The meadow had gone quiet in that special way only nighttime knew how to achieve.
Crickets chirped lazily from hidden corners, their rhythm uneven but comforting. The tall grass swayed softly in the breeze, brushing against Kara's calves, whispering against Adam's jacket. Above them, the sky had fully surrendered to night—ink-dark and scattered with stars so sharp they looked painted on.
They hadn't moved in what felt like forever.
Kara sat with her back against the gentle slope of the hill, Adam sprawled half on top of her, his head resting near her waist like he belonged there. Her fingers lazily combed through his hair, twisting soft strands around her knuckles before letting them spring back into place.
How is his hair this soft, she thought mildly offended.
Adam slept peacefully, chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. Tear tracks still marked his cheeks, faint silver lines in the moonlight. His lashes rested dark against his skin, his face finally relaxed—no smirk, no teasing grin. Just tired.
Kara understood that kind of tired.
Her legs, however, were completely dead.
She shifted slightly and winced.
Nothing.
No feeling.
Her lower body had officially disconnected from the rest of her nervous system.
"…Fantastic," she muttered under her breath.
Carefully—very carefully—she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, angling the screen away so the light wouldn't wake him. The time glowed back at her.
8:03 PM.
Her eyes widened.
"…You've got to be kidding me." she snorted.
They had arrived at the meadow around four-thirty.
She stared at the screen again, as if time might apologize and reverse itself.
It did not.
Her jaw dropped.
Without thinking, she smacked Adam square between the shoulder blades.
"OW—!" Adam jerked awake, flailing slightly. "What—what is it? Are we being attacked? Is this the wolf part of the plan?"
"I can't feel my legs," Kara snapped. "You've been using me as a mattress for three and a half hours you rat."
Adam blinked, still half-asleep. "I was having a really good nap…"
"Get off me."
She shoved him weakly. He laughed and rolled onto the grass beside her, stretching dramatically with a groan.
"Wow," he yawned, staring up at the sky. "That was the best cry-sleep I've had in years."
"You're disgusting."
"I'm emotionally vulnerable," he corrected.
Kara pushed herself up with effort, legs trembling like they might betray her at any moment. Adam noticed and snorted.
"Need help, grandma?"
She grumbled and smacked the back of his head.
"Ow! Violence again?" Adam said rubbing the back if his head while looking up at her.
"Yes. And I'm younger than you by 2 months idiot!"
They both stood there for a moment, gazing up at the sky. The stars seemed brighter now, scattered like broken glass across velvet darkness. Kara's eyes reflected them, wide and glossy, her expression unguarded.
"It's really pretty," she murmured. "I couldn't stop staring."
Adam turned to look at her.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It is. Gorgeous, even."
She froze.
Then slowly turned to face him, her
expression morphing into a look of pure disbelief.
She raised her hand and smacked him on the head.
"Who do you think you are?" she snapped. "This isn't a K-drama. Get out of here with that gorgeous bullshit."
Adam recoiled dramatically, clutching his chest. "Wow. Attacked for complimenting you."
"Correct."
"Well, excuse me for noticing."
She crossed her arms. "You're excused."
And with that, she turned on her heel and started walking back toward the trees.
Adam stared after her, stunned.
"…Hey! Wait!"
He scrambled after her, nearly tripping over a root. "You can't just walk away after emotionally destroying me like that!"
"You'll live," she shot back.
They reached the car just as Adam's phone rang. He unlocked it, then paused.
"Hold on," he said, lifting a finger. "Get in."
Kara slid into the passenger seat, sinking into the warm leather with a sigh. Adam answered the call, pacing a little as he spoke.
"Yes—yeah, I can—no, I'm nearby—yes, I'll be there."
He hung up and rushed into the driver's seat.
"What's wrong?" Kara asked, buckling up.
"My parents landed early," he said, already pulling out. "I gotta pick them up."
"Oh." She smiled faintly. "Okay."
They pulled up to her apartment complex faster than she expected. Adam barely stopped before she opened the door.
She stepped out and waved.
"Drive safe."
He nodded, already halfway gone. The car peeled away like he was in a race.
Kara watched him disappear, shaking her head.
"What an idiot," she muttered fondly.
She turned and walked into her building, the echo of crickets still humming in her ears.