Our beloved youth

26 (i) : Realisation

"Do you really love her?" 

Jason thought as he glanced at Kevin, who was washing his hands. Kevin looked back, motioned for Jason to clean his face, and left. Jason splashed water on his face and stared at his reflection, thinking,

"Do I love her?"

Meanwhile,

Sia and Elina were tidying up before heading downstairs, where everyone was waiting. "Sia, why did you take out the instructions?" Elina asked as she put things away.

"Kevin didn't know how to play, so I gave them to him," Sia replied, placing the last pillow back and turning off the light.

Elina frowned, "He didn't know how to play?" she asked.

Sia nodded, "Yeah. Even Beryl and I were surprised, but who cares? He eventually lost," she said, shaking her head and heading to the door.

Elina stood there, thinking,

Did he lie back then?

Sia's voice broke her thoughts, "Aren't you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Elina rushed out, following Sia downstairs. Her eyes landed on Kevin, who was talking to Mrs. Mallie. She remembered what happened earlier.

Elina mouthed Kevin, "You know how to play?" He touched the nape of his neck, nodded, and avoided her gaze. She smiled then. 

But now she frowned at the memory. She continued staring at him until he noticed her. Startled, she missed the last step and fell.

Elina continued to gaze towards Kevin, lost in her thoughts, when suddenly he looked back at her. Startled, she widened her eyes and in her distraction, missed the last stair, stumbling and falling. The sudden noise drew everyone's attention, and Mrs. Charles shook her head in concern.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Elina quickly assured them, slowly looking up with a smile. Mrs. Mallie, worried, asked, "Are you sure you aren't hurt?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Please continue," Elina replied, prompting everyone to resume their activities. Kevin started to move towards her, but Mrs. Charles intercepted, saying, "Kevin dear, have something." Kevin was hesitant but eventually nodded and sat back down.

Elina was about to stand up on her own when she noticed a hand in front of her. She looked up to see Jason offering help. She looked at him for a moment, then reluctantly took his hand and stood up with a small smile of relief.

"Thank you," Elina said softly to Jason. Jason smiled little before changing it into a smirk and continued with his playful banter, "Where's your mind at, Ms. duckling?" he teased, laughing at his own joke. Elina managed a forced smile and retorted, "Shut up, racoon," before walking back to her seat. 

Jason chuckled and walked as he settled down next to Kevin, who just continued to look at him. Jason noticed Kevin's gaze as he looked back at him and raised an eyebrow, silently questioning 'What's with you?' while Kevin sighed and shook his head, as he looked ahead towards Elina and continued eating.

Meanwhile, Sia leaned over and whispered into Elina's ear, "All good?" Elina nodded, and they resumed their meal. Throughout the dinner, Elina couldn't help but steal glances at Kevin, though Jason remained oblivious to her actions. Despite feeling a strange need for her attention, Jason shrugged off his thoughts, deciding not to dwell on them too much.

Time skip

"I had a wonderful time, dear," Mrs. Mallie said, hugging Mrs. Charles as they bid goodbye to Kevin and Mrs. Mallie's family.