Timeless Regrets.

A Girl's Intuition(Chapter - 17)

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

As we splash around the ocean I spotted a familiar face walking towards us,

"Jonah!" I called out, waving as he made his way over. He seemed to have recovered from his bruise, looking more like himself again.

"Samantha, Jonah's coming to join us!" I nudged her gently, but she'd already noticed. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before drifting away.

"Mom, can we go get some ice cream?" she asked, already heading toward the shore but purposely steering away from Jonah's path.

"Of course, Sam, let me grab some money first," her mom replied, following close behind.

Samantha didn't seem like herself after everything that had happened.

"Want me to come with you?" I offered, glancing at her for reassurance.

Samantha hesitated, her smile barely concealing something deeper. "I think Jonah could use some company. Ella, could you stay? We won't be gone long."

"Okay..." I replied, though a quiet unease settled in.

Did something happen between them? I wondered, watching as Samantha walked toward the shore with her mom trailing behind.

When I turned back, Jonah had stopped in his tracks, eyes cast down at the water. There was a flicker of disappointment in his face, as if he'd been hoping to speak with Samantha.

He seemed reluctant to come closer, maybe because now it was just the two of us. So I walked towards him. 

The water pushed back against each step I took, making every movement feel heavier, almost as if even the sea wanted to slow me down. When I looked up, Jonah was watching me approach, his expression confused but intent.

Though he was usually so quiet, I'd gotten used to reading the subtle shifts in his face.

"I—is your cheek okay now?" I asked, stopping close enough that I didn't have to raise my voice. My gaze lingered on the faint bruise.

He lifted his hand to his cheek and nodded. "Yeah. Just a bruise and a small cut. Didn't take much to heal." His voice was low and steady, almost static, like always. He didn't waste words when he spoke, just got right to the point. I've gotten used to it.

When I first met him, I was intimidated. He always seemed so distant, like he'd rather be anywhere but around people.

In class, he was always by himself, barely speaking to anyone, even during group activities. He only said what was necessary, leaving no room for conversation or connection.

But when Samantha came along, there was a subtle shift in him. He still didn't talk to our other classmates and kept his words to a minimum, but the air around him seemed lighter—less guarded, somehow. It was as if she'd managed to crack open a door he'd kept tightly shut.

I'd always kept an eye on their relationship, right from when Samantha first introduced herself to the class. Jonah seemed to know her already, which surprised me—I'd never seen him talk to anyone, much less someone as vibrant as her. But the more I watched them, the more I found myself wanting to be a part of their world.

Samantha had this warmth, a friendliness that put everyone at ease. She was the spark that made our classroom feel alive, turning it from a simple room of desks into a place that felt welcoming.

No wonder she'd managed to break through Jonah's shell.

Seeing them like this reminded me to where I first truly met them.