IDOL

Chapter 5: Secret

A few days had passed, and life around the house was starting to settle into a routine. Jaxon and the members had become busier with their training and schedules, but they still made time to have dinner with Zari. It was a small, comforting ritual that made Zari feel more at home, even with the whirlwind of emotions she was dealing with.

At one of these dinners, Kento brought up his older sister. "You know, my sister is your age, Zari. I think you both will be friend."

Zari smiled, intrigued. "Really? That's cool. What's she like?"

Kento pulled out his phone with a grin. "Why don't I let her tell you herself?" He quickly dialed his sister's number and, within moments, her voice filled the room.

"Kento? What's up?" his sister's voice came through the speaker, warm and lively.

"I want you to meet someone," Kento said, motioning to Zari. "This is Zari, my friend. She's the same age as you."

Zari felt a bit shy, but as soon as Kento's sister spoke, her nervousness melted away. They exchanged introductions, and soon enough, they were chatting like old friends. Though it was just a virtual call, Zari felt an instant connection with Kento's sister. There was something so easygoing and comforting about her. By the end of the conversation, they had exchanged numbers and made plans to keep in touch, even though they hadn't met in person yet.

Later that evening, as the sun set and the house quieted down, Zari's phone buzzed. It was Theo, her friend from Seattle.

"Zari! When are you coming back?" Theo asked, his tone playful but curious.

Zari chuckled softly. "I told you, after my vacation. I'm staying here for a little while longer."

"Well, don't forget about us back here in Seattle. We miss you!" Theo teased, but Zari could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"I won't forget," she promised, feeling a pang of homesickness but also excitement about the new connections she was making here.

After dinner, Zari stepped outside to get some fresh air. The evening air was cool, and the stars were starting to appear in the sky. She hadn't been out for long when she heard footsteps approaching. It was Kael.

"Hey," he greeted her softly, his usual warm smile on his face. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Zari nodded, a bit curious. They hadn't had many one-on-one conversations since the day in the backyard.

Kael shifted slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "I was wondering... would you want to hang out with me? Just the two of us. But, uh, let's keep it a secret from Jaxon. He's... well, you know how he is."

Zari's eyes widened slightly. A secret? Her heart raced at the thought. Jaxon was protective, especially when it came to her, and she knew he wouldn't like the idea of her spending time alone with Kael. But something about Kael's offer intrigued her.

"Why a secret?" she asked softly, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

Kael chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Jaxon's my best friend, and he's always so... overprotective of you. I just thought it'd be nice to hang out, just the two of us, without him hovering."

Zari hesitated for a moment, but the idea of spending time with Kael, even in secret, was too tempting to resist. "Okay," she agreed with a small nod. "Where should we go?"

"There's a park nearby that's full of flowers," Kael said, his eyes lighting up. "It's quiet and beautiful. I think you'd like it."

They made their plans and agreed to meet the next afternoon.

The following day, Zari couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as they walked through the park together. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the vibrant colors around them made the place feel like a hidden paradise.

They strolled in comfortable silence for a while before Kael broke it. "So, tell me more about you, Zari. I feel like we've only scratched the surface."

Zari smiled shyly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "There's not much to tell, really."

"You're wrong if you think there's not much to tell. You're interesting, Zari. I want to know more about you."

Zari blushed at his words, her heart fluttering. As they walked, they talked about their childhoods, their dreams, and the little things that made them who they were. Zari found herself opening up to Kael in ways she hadn't expected, and she could tell that Kael was genuinely interested in getting to know her better.

For the first time in a while, she felt seen—not just as Jaxon's little sister, but as herself.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the park, Zari realized that she was in deeper than she had ever planned to be. Even though she had promised herself not to fall for Kael, moments like these made it harder to keep that promise.

But for now, she would cherish the time they spent together, even if it was a secret.