The space between (chapter 5)

When the final class of the day ended, Cindy deliberately took her time packing her books. She secretly hoped Sir Jade would offer her another ride home.

After saying goodbye to Lenny and Ella, she walked to the roadside and waited.

Minutes passed.

Just as she was beginning to think he wasn’t coming, a familiar black SUV slowed to a stop beside her.

The passenger window rolled down.

“Waiting for someone?” Jade asked with a teasing smile.

Cindy laughed softly.

“Maybe.”

“Hop in.”

She smiled and got into the car.

As Jade pulled away from the campus, the silence between them quickly turned into an easy conversation.

“What a day,” he sighed. “Teaching is more exhausting than I expected.”

Cindy chuckled.

“I’m sorry to hear that… Sir.”

Jade glanced at her and smiled.

“You don’t have to call me ‘Sir’ when it’s just the two of us.”

She looked at him in surprise.

“What should I call you then?”

“Jade is fine.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Okay… Jade.”

Hearing his name on her lips made him smile.

“I like that better.”

They continued chatting until Jade parked outside Cindy’s house.

Neither of them seemed eager for the conversation to end.

“You know,” Cindy said with a grin, “you’re the hottest topic on campus.”

Jade laughed.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Every girl is talking about you.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

She nodded dramatically.

“They think you’re ridiculously handsome. Some of them are already planning how to get your attention.”

Jade laughed and shook his head.

“I think they’re exaggerating.”

“I’m serious.”

“Well, I’m choosing not to believe it.”

The two of them burst into laughter.

At that moment, Lenny and Ella happened to walk past.

They froze the instant they saw Cindy sitting comfortably inside Jade’s car.

“Oho!” Lenny shouted with a mischievous grin.

“So this is why you’ve been smiling all afternoon!”

Ella laughed.

“We knew something was going on.”

Cindy covered her face in embarrassment.

“Would you two stop?”

Jade couldn’t help but laugh at the playful teasing.

After the girls finally left, Jade looked at Cindy.

“I was actually heading home. Would you like to come over for a while? We can continue our conversation if you’re comfortable.”

Cindy hesitated.

It wasn’t something she had expected.

After a brief pause, she nodded.

“I’d like that.”

The drive to Jade’s house was much quieter than before.

Cindy kept staring out of the window, too shy to look at him.

Jade noticed but didn’t tease her.

When they arrived, he led her inside.

His home was simple, tidy, and surprisingly cozy.

“Make yourself comfortable,” he said.

Cindy sat carefully on the sofa while he disappeared into the kitchen.

A moment later, he returned with two glasses of chilled juice.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

They continued talking, laughing about school and sharing little stories about themselves.

Halfway through the conversation, an unexpected sound interrupted them.

Cindy’s stomach growled.

She immediately covered her face in embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry.”

Jade laughed warmly.

“I guess someone’s hungry.”

She smiled awkwardly.

“A little.”

“Then let’s fix that.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I insist.”

He walked into the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Cindy offered, following him.

Side by side, they prepared dinner together.

They joked over whose chopping skills were better, laughed when Cindy nearly dropped a bowl, and teased each other over the seasoning.

By the time the meal was ready, the atmosphere between them felt much more relaxed.

They sat at the dining table and enjoyed the food together.

After taking her first bite, Cindy’s eyes widened.

“Wow…”

Jade looked at her expectantly.

“What?”

“You’re an amazing cook.”

He laughed.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. This is delicious.”

They both laughed before finishing their meal.

Afterward, Cindy insisted on washing the dishes despite Jade’s protests.

Once everything was cleaned up, they returned to the living room.

“What do you want to do now?” Jade asked.

Cindy smiled.

“How about we watch a movie?”

“Sounds good.”

He picked a movie, and they settled onto the couch.

As the film played, neither of them paid much attention to the screen.

The silence between them became heavier with every passing minute.

Cindy eventually noticed Jade looking at her.

Not just a passing glance.

He was staring at her with an intensity that made her heart race.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away.

Without thinking, Cindy slowly leaned closer.

She gently pressed her lips against his.

For a brief moment, Jade returned the kiss before suddenly pulling away.

His expression changed instantly.

Shock.

Confusion.

Concern.

He stood up and ran a hand through his hair, struggling to gather his thoughts.

“Cindy…” he said quietly.

She looked at him, unsure of what she had done wrong.

He took a deep breath.

“I think it’s best if I take you home.”

She stared at him in silence.

“Please gather your things,” he said gently. “I’ll drive you back.”

Though disappointed and confused, Cindy quietly nodded.

She picked up her bag while Jade grabbed his car keys, both of them leaving the house in complete silence, each lost in thoughts they couldn’t bring themselves to say aloud.