Meant to Collide

23. Bond Beyond Boundaries

The scene opens with Noah, standing alone on his balcony under a darkened sky, his mind racing. He glances out into the distance, a mixture of worry and anticipation clouding his features. "Is she home yet?" he thinks anxiously, pulling out his phone to dial Jules. He listens to the ringing with a held breath, but the call goes unanswered. At that moment, the phone vibrates beside Jules, who is fast asleep in bed, the gentle buzzing barely stirring her. Nearby, Sky turns over, half-awake, and mutters, "Your phone keeps buzzing. Can you turn it off?" The slight irritation in his sleepy voice makes Jules stir. She blinks her eyes open and fumbles to silence the phone.

Back at Noah's place, worry grows on his face as he paces. "She's not picking up," he whispers, feeling unsettled. This isn't like Jules; something must be wrong.

Meanwhile, at Sky's place, he fully awakens and quietly observes Jules in her peaceful slumber. He approaches her, adjusting the comforter to keep her warm, his gaze soft as he leans close, mouthing, "Slept already?" Seeing no response, he lets out a quiet sigh and returns to his side of the bed, gazing up at the ceiling, unable to find rest himself.

Later in the night, Jules awakens again, finding herself alone in bed. She looks around, realizing Sky isn't there, and her curiosity pulls her out of bed. She finally spots him outside, seated by the pool with his legs dipped in the water, lost in thought.

"What are you doing out here?" she asks, her voice carrying gently in the quiet night.

Sky turns to her with a soft smile, "I couldn't sleep."

Without a second thought, Jules sits beside him, dipping her feet in the cool water as well. "Then I'll stay with you," she says warmly. Sky's eyes soften as he glances at her, intrigued. "You look... different. Are your parents mixed?"

Jules smiles and nods. "Yeah, I'm half Thai and half American."

"So your dad's been here a while? His English was perfect," Sky notes, recalling their conversation.

"He's my stepdad, actually," she explains. "My mom and I moved here from Thailand after she divorced my biological father. She eventually fell in love with my stepdad."

"Are you okay with that?" Sky asks, his voice gentle but genuinely curious.

"More than okay," she replies, smiling fondly. "He's always been there for me, never once raised his voice, and has supported me every step of the way."

Sky's gaze turns distant, reflective. "You're lucky," he murmurs, almost to himself.

She turns to him, eyes curious. "Hm? You're luckier than me. You have a successful business and a stable life."

Sky pauses, as if weighing her words. But to lighten the moment, he quickly shifts topics. "Tell me a story."

Jules laughs at his sudden request, and he tilts his head, confused. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," she assures him with a warm smile. "Okay, I'll tell you a story."

She begins, "Once upon a time, in a vast forest, a lion was searching for food when he stumbled upon an ant colony..." She goes on to describe the scene, how the queen ant boldly challenges the lion, and how her army of ants swarms him, defeating him with sheer unity.

Sky listens intently, then remarks, "So, the more you step on them, the more they'll fight back?" Jules laughs, charmed by his conclusion.

"Not exactly," she says, still chuckling. "The story teaches that unity is strength. When we work together, we can overcome even the greatest challenges."

Sky smirks, looking at her with a glint of playfulness. "So, does that mean you'll stay and help me?"

Jules shakes her head, amused. "Sky, that's the moral of the story, not a personal promise from me!" she teases, giving him a playful nudge.

Sky rolls his eyes, grinning. He gets up and starts to walk away, pretending to be hurt. Jules trails after him, her voice soft, "Please don't be mad at me." Without warning, Sky spins around and tickles her, sending her into fits of laughter. She retaliates, and soon, they're both laughing and playfully pushing each other until Jules slips, plunging into the pool with a splash. Sky laughs, diving in after her.

They float in the calm water, their laughter fading into a sweet silence, with only the soft sound of water and a distant, gentle piano melody filling the air. They drift close to each other, and Sky lifts a hand, brushing a gentle touch along Jules' cheek. Slowly, he leans in, his eyes on hers. Jules closes her eyes, anticipation lingering between them.

Just as their faces are mere inches apart, Sky pauses and leans in close to her ear. "We should go up," he whispers. "We'll catch a cold if we stay out here."

Surprised, Jules opens her eyes as Sky swims away, leaving her with a playful smile. She watches him get out of the pool and reaches for his hand. But as she tries to steady herself, she slips, and Sky catches her, holding her close. She looks up into his eyes, her heart racing as his warmth surrounds her.

"Why is my heart beating so fast when I'm with you?" he murmurs, almost to himself.

In the quiet night, amidst stolen glances and lingering touches, fate seems to draw them closer, like two stars destined to collide.