The woods were alive with their own language: crickets chirping in the grass, owls hooting somewhere in the distance, and the faint rustle of leaves swaying in the night breeze. The moon sat high above, its pale light spilling like silver paint through the canopy, illuminating their path.
This was one of Jayden's usual haunts, a place where he'd tested himself again and again under the cover of darkness. But tonight was different. Tonight, he wasn't alone.
He and Tasha walked side by side, their boots crunching softly on the undergrowth. For a while, their conversation was light—snippets of laughter, playful nudges—but it didn't take long for Tasha to steer it somewhere heavier.
"I saw you last night," she said suddenly, her tone calm but edged.
Jayden raised a brow. "Saw me?"
"Mhm." She smirked faintly. "You and Jessica... sneaking back home. Spending the night together. Don't worry, I didn't interrupt. It looked like the two of you had fun."
