A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Six

The soft hum of the studio lights had long faded into the background, and the tension between them, while still present, had settled into something quieter, more comfortable. But as the night grew later, Lauren knew it was time to go. The alcohol buzz had worn down, leaving her feeling more aware of everything—the silence, the closeness of Chan, the strange new reality that had developed between them tonight.

With a small, reluctant smile, Lauren glanced at her phone. "I should probably head home. It's getting late."

Chan, who had been sitting beside her at the desk, nodded, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—disappointment, maybe?—that he quickly masked. "Yeah, you're right. Don't want to keep you out too late."

They both stood, the air shifting slightly as the reality of the night set in. Lauren grabbed her bag, glancing around the studio one last time, feeling the weight of the night's events hanging in the air. Part of her didn't want to leave—there was still so much unsaid between them—but she knew it was time. Better to end the night now, before anything got too complicated.

Chan followed her to the door, his movements slow and deliberate. As they stepped out into the quiet hallway, the sound of the city outside felt distant, almost muted. The elevator ride down was quiet but not uncomfortable, and when they stepped out onto the street, the cool night air hit her skin, refreshing after the warmth of the studio.

Lauren glanced over at Chan, feeling that familiar flutter in her chest. The streets were nearly empty, and the soft glow of the streetlights made everything feel a little more intimate, as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

"Do you mind if I walk you home?" Chan asked suddenly, his voice soft but steady.

Lauren hesitated for a moment, not because she didn't want him to, but because the offer felt more personal than she expected. But then she nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah, I'd like that."

They fell into step beside each other, the sound of their footsteps the only thing breaking the silence. The city felt peaceful at this hour, the buzz of nightlife fading away, leaving only the distant hum of cars and the occasional flicker of neon lights. As they walked, Lauren felt a strange sense of calm settle over her, as if the tension that had been building between them all night had finally reached a point where it didn't need to be addressed—not right now, at least.

For a while, they didn't speak, both of them lost in their own thoughts. But there was something nice about the silence, about the simple act of walking together. Lauren felt the cool breeze brush against her skin, the warmth of Chan's presence beside her grounding her as they made their way through the quiet streets.

Eventually, they reached her apartment building. Lauren stopped in front of the entrance, turning to face Chan. There was a quiet weight between them, something that had been building all night but was still unspoken.

"Well," she said softly, glancing up at him, "this is me."

Chan smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. There was something in his expression that made her heart skip a beat—like he didn't want the night to end just yet. But he nodded, stepping back slightly as if to give her space. "Yeah... here we are."

The air between them crackled with that same unspoken tension from earlier, but neither of them made a move to bridge the gap. Lauren could feel her pulse quicken, her mind racing with a dozen thoughts she wasn't quite ready to say out loud.

"Thanks for walking me home," she said quietly, her voice softer now, more vulnerable than she intended.

Chan nodded, his gaze lingering on her face. "Anytime."