With the holiday season drawing near, the old main street in their small hometown was filled with a festive atmosphere. Roadside stalls had sprung up selling fireworks, cigarettes, and candles. Many stores had already hung up bright red cheerful decorations and put out signs advertising their hottest seasonal items.
Noah Miller adjusted the scarf covering half his mouth, breathed warm air into his hands, the hem of his black windbreaker hanging down by his legs. His face was clean-cut and fair.
By the utility pole, the girl was already standing there waiting for him. He had arrived earlier than the agreed time, but Lila Vale had come even earlier.
Lila spotted him from a distance and waved. Noah quickened his steps toward her, his gaze instinctively drawn to her outfit.
A light pink knit sweater over a crisp white blouse, a short skirt paired with white thermal tights that showed off her slender, straight legs, and light brown leather shoes below—radiating the pure, lovely charm that was all her own.
"Come on, let's get a hot bubble tea first. My treat," she said, tilting her pretty, delicate face up, her bright doe eyes clear and lively.
"No need, no need. Can't let a girl treat."
"Why not? You've bought for me so many times before."
"Alright then. I'll get in line—you wait back here."
"Mmm, whatever you say." Lila nodded obediently.
Watching Noah join the back of the line, his slim, easygoing figure standing tall, the smile at the corners of her mouth gradually faded until it disappeared completely.
If it had been before, going on a date with him wouldn't have required racking her brain for excuses, or her clutching her pillow at night staring at her phone waiting for replies, or having to… put in so much effort…
"Mom and Dad told me to take you out for a walk tomorrow. It's been way too long since we hung out. I was afraid they'd notice if you didn't come. Can you make it? Just to keep up appearances with them."
"What are you thinking about?" The boy's gentle voice pulled her thoughts back. A warm bubble tea was handed to her—her favorite mango flavor.
"Just thinking about where we should go today. It wasn't easy getting you out."
"The movie theater, the big mall—anything's fine. You pick."
Noah didn't really care what Lila chose. After being stuck inside for so long, every place outside sounded appealing. Besides, with his sister not around, he didn't have to worry so much about keeping his distance from the girl.
Before leaving home, his excuse had been a high-school classmate reunion with some of the guys he knew well. Only then had Evelyn let him go out alone, reminding him to call her if anything came up.
Being with his sister made him happy, but everyone needed some time that was just their own.
"Then… let's watch a movie. The theater's that way." Lila pointed toward the other end of the old street and naturally took hold of Noah's hand.
Her slender fingertips felt slightly cool, carrying the same feminine chill as Evelyn's. What surprised him was how tightly Lila gripped his hand—firm, almost possessive, as if she had learned that too.
Noah wasn't sure if this closeness was too much for their current relationship. His sister definitely wouldn't want to see this. But he couldn't easily pull away, so he let her lead him along.
Their hometown movie theater had been open for more than ten years. The woman selling tickets at the entrance was still the same plump, kind-faced lady, warmly greeting customers.
Many in line were young couples holding hands, all lovey-dovey, so the two of them standing in back were hard not to be mistaken for the same.
Lila had picked a popular animated movie that was currently showing and getting rave reviews online.
They sat in adjacent seats. Once the lights dimmed, it was hard to see each other's faces clearly—only the glow from the big screen lit up their eyes. Lila was absorbed, watching intently.
At times like this, Noah felt even more distracted. A clinging, bone-deep fear wrapped around him like a parasite, crawling up his spine. He couldn't focus on the film the way Lila could, so he lowered his head and lit up his phone screen.
Almost on instinct, he opened his chat with Evelyn, as if to steady himself, and sent a message.
Noah:
Eve, are you home right now?
Evelyn:
Yeah, what's up, Nate? Missing your sister? Not having fun at the get-together?
Noah:
It's pretty good. Just asking. Anything you want to eat? I can bring some back.
Evelyn:
Bring a bottle of soy sauce. We're almost out at home.
Noah:
Okay.
After sending it, a handful of popcorn was suddenly held up to his mouth. Lila was puffing her cheeks, looking at him with clear dissatisfaction.
"Pay attention, okay? This movie's actually really good."
"Yeah, sorry. I just got a message."
"Then as punishment, no phone for the rest of the movie. Watch it properly."
"Got it. I'm watching, I'm watching."
The movie was indeed excellent—the plot tight and full of twists, the animation beautiful. Yet Noah still couldn't concentrate. His mind stayed restless. He forced himself through the whole film, then left the theater feeling dazed.
"What next? Want to grab lunch? We can check out the new food stalls they set up nearby."
"Sure, let's go."
It was approaching noon, the busiest time of day. The street was packed with people, every temporary stall surrounded by customers. The rich aromas of all kinds of snacks filled the air, tempting everyone's appetite.
They bought quite a few things—from corn dogs to grilled sausage skewers to loaded fries. But Lila hardly ate more than a few bites of each before passing them to Noah, so he ended up sampling nearly the entire row and felt completely stuffed.
Finally tired from walking, the two sat down on a bench by the roadside. The winter sun had climbed to its highest point, bright light pouring down. Noah closed his eyes and started to doze off.
"Want to lie down for a bit?" Lila patted her lap. "Sleeping sitting up must be uncomfortable, right?"
Noah had wanted to refuse, but he was too sleepy, so he nodded, lay on his side, and rested his head on her thigh, letting drowsiness pull him into sleep.
The cold winter breeze brushed through Lila's beautiful long hair. People came and went along the street as the sun shifted across the sky. Noah fell asleep quickly. She reached out and gently stroked his head, careful not to wake him.
When he woke up, it was nearly three o'clock. Not too late, and there was still some time. For the last part of their date today, they hadn't picked any fixed spot. They simply walked the length of the long street, passing by one familiar scene after another from their small hometown, revisiting many of the places where they had run around and played as children.
But in all those memory-filled spots and every shared experience from their past, Evelyn's shadow was impossible to escape.
Thinking of her made Noah's heart tighten. In his mind he kept picturing what would happen if his sister ever found out.
Everything he had done today really had been irresponsible toward her.
Yet Noah couldn't ignore the relationship between the Vale family and their own.
He admitted he had gotten carried away. After all, going out with Lila like this used to feel so ordinary. Only after getting caught up in the moment did he realize that things were no longer the same.