𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭

fifty three

Delphine

The sun poured through the large windows of the café, illuminating our table in a warm, golden glow.

I sat across from Kaiden, Eliza, and Ethan, trying to focus on the lunch menu in front of me. It was funny how much had changed over the past few weeks. Kaiden had become a part of my life, a constant presence that I found myself looking forward to.

The way our conversations had deepened made my heart race, but now I felt an inexplicable pressure hovering over us as we gathered together for lunch.

I glanced up from the menu to find Kaiden watching me with a thoughtful expression. His eyes seemed to reflect a mix of curiosity and concern. I felt a strange flutter in my stomach at the intensity of his gaze, and I quickly averted my eyes back to the menu, pretending to be engrossed in the options.

"Delphine, are you even listening?" Eliza's voice cut through my thoughts, her teasing tone bringing me back to the moment. I looked up to find her smirking, clearly enjoying my moment of distraction.

"Of course I am," I replied, feigning indignation. "I was just...thinking."

"More like daydreaming," Ethan interjected, leaning back in his chair with a playful smirk. "Must be nice to be lost in thought. What are you dreaming about, Delphine? More skating moves?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break through. "Something like that," I said, my tone light.

Eliza leaned in closer, her excitement bubbling over. "Well, we were just talking about potential plans for a double date. You and Kaiden, me and Ethan. What do you think?"

A slight tension gripped my chest. I hadn't expected this conversation to turn so quickly. "A double date?" I echoed, trying to maintain a calm façade. The idea sounded thrilling, but also intimidating. "What kind of plans are we talking about?"

Ethan chimed in, "Something casual! Maybe a picnic at the park, or going bowling. Something low-key but fun."

"Or maybe we could go to the arcade?" Eliza suggested, her eyes lighting up. "I love the arcade! It's perfect for a double date."

I felt my heart racing at the thought. I had never been on a double date before, and the idea of spending more time with Kaiden in a more relaxed setting excited and terrified me. "I don't know, guys. I'm kind of busy with training right now," I said, hoping to deflect the pressure.

"Busy is just an excuse, Delphine," Eliza said, her tone teasing but persistent. "You need to let loose a little! You can't spend every waking hour at the rink."

Kaiden leaned forward, a supportive smile on his face. "You know, Eliza has a point. It might be good for you to take a break. We're not going to bite," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

I met his gaze, my heart skipping a beat. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel understood. "I get that," I said, trying to weigh my options. "But what if my coach finds out? She's been breathing down my neck lately about my training schedule."

"Forget about your coach for a minute," Ethan chimed in, his expression light-hearted. "This is about you enjoying your life! We all need a break. Plus, it'll be fun. Just think of it as a well-deserved reward."

Eliza nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! You deserve to have fun and hang out with us, Delphine. Life's too short to be stuck inside your head all the time."

I sighed, glancing down at my food, feeling torn. On one hand, the thought of a double date with Kaiden filled me with a sense of excitement. On the other hand, the pressure of my training weighed heavily on my shoulders. "What if I get distracted and don't perform well at the rink?"