Chapter 6: Time to Move On

We remain strangers.

We remain strangers.

We remain strangers.

Those words struck a painful chord in Seraphina’s heart. She had always known that she and Jayden were strangers, and her love for him was like a cloud drifting in the sky with no destination. Hearing him say those words left her speechless as Jayden walked away, looking at her without a trace of emotion.

Maybe love is just a feeling I need to let go of.

Is it really time to move on?

Seraphina looked at her luggage — tucked inside were stolen pictures of Jayden and a letter she had written herself. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Just as she was about to rip the letter apart, a voice called from downstairs.

“Sera? I’m coming up now!” came Elizabeth’s cheerful voice, her footsteps drawing closer.

Seraphina quickly composed herself and set aside her things.

“Let me help you get settled in. Is that okay?” Elizabeth said warmly as she stepped inside the room.

Seraphina nodded eagerly. “Of course!”

Even though she was hurting, Seraphina forced a smile. Thankfully, Jayden’s mother was truly kind and caring. That lifted a bit of Seraphina’s heavy heart. Together, the two of them began organizing her things.

By the time they finished, it was already dinner. They went down to the kitchen together. When they arrived, Seraphina’s father, Jayden’s father, and Hermes were already there, busy setting the table with dishes.

Seraphina avoided looking at Jayden. She had decided not to speak with him as much as possible. But remembering the challenge she had made weighed heavily on her again. How on earth was she going to top the exam?

“Oh, Sera, I heard you love tulips! Did you know Jayden loves tulips too? He even has a tulip garden in our backyard. You’re welcome to visit it anytime,” Magnus said casually.

Seraphina was caught off guard and didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t want to involve herself in anything related to Jayden anymore. She needed to start moving on. But learning that Jayden loved tulips made her heart skip. In four years, she never really knew what he liked—he always just studied or played sports. But what did it matter now? She shouldn’t care anymore.

“Ah… Uncle, thank you! But I can’t. I don’t have time,” Seraphina said without even glancing at Jayden, who was busy placing plates on the table.

“Oh! That’s unfortunate. But that’s alright—school comes first,” Magnus replied.

Seraphina was about to respond when Jayden suddenly interjected.

“I don’t think so. I bet she has plenty of time. Right, Seraphina?” he said, smirking at her with a teasing tone.

Seraphina’s face turned red. She didn’t expect Jayden to provoke her like that in front of everyone.

I hate you, Jayden! I’ll forget all about you. Just you wait!

“Ah—no! Not really. I just want to enjoy my life and not stress about academics,” Seraphina stammered, trying to stay composed.

Elizabeth chuckled admiringly. “That’s right, Sera! You should enjoy your life! Unlike these two boring wizards,” she said, clearly referring to her sons.

Seraphina gave an awkward smile.

“Enjoying life and being dumb isn’t my goal,” Jayden said as he ate. Hermes burst out laughing while Magnus and Arthur looked at each other in awkward silence. Elizabeth immediately scolded Hermes.

Having had enough of Jayden’s arrogance, Seraphina marched toward him and pulled his hair. Everyone froze in shock.

“Jayden! You don’t have to be so rude! Sure, you’re handsome and a genius, but you have no manners! How do you even live with yourself?!” Seraphina shouted in frustration, forgetting her father and Jayden’s family were there. At that moment, all she wanted was to scream at him.

Jayden, unfazed even as she tugged at his hair, calmly grabbed her hand and said, “With my brain, I can live a great life. What about you? You don’t have brains or manners. Can you even survive? Grabbing someone’s hair at the dinner table?”

Seraphina gripped his hair even tighter. The pain and humiliation she felt were overwhelming. Never in her life had someone spoken to her that way. She couldn’t believe the boy she had loved for four years could be so cruel.

Everyone else was speechless. It was clear something had happened between the two before today.

“Jayden, if you want to provoke me, let’s take this outside!” Seraphina snapped, realizing the family was still confused and watching.

“Why? Afraid they’ll find out?” Jayden smirked, clearly alluding to her confession.

Panicked, Seraphina grabbed Jayden’s hand and dragged him out the door.

The family stayed silent, letting them be. But Elizabeth’s smile began to grow. She sensed something was going on between them — and she saw it as a good sign.

“Should we just let them go?” Magnus asked.

“Yes! Leave them be! It’s their personal business. Don’t you get it?” Elizabeth said, grinning.

“What don’t we get?” Arthur asked.

“Come, come!” Elizabeth gestured for them to gather around. Magnus, Arthur, and Hermes leaned in closer.

“They’re having a lovers’ quarrel!” she declared.

“Wha—” Hermes gasped, but Elizabeth cut him off.

“Can’t you see? They’re arguing like lovers. I think they’re hiding their relationship. I knew it the first time I saw them together!”

Hermes shook his head in disbelief, unwilling to accept his mother’s speculation.

“But shouldn’t we confirm it first before assuming anything?” Arthur said, with Magnus nodding in agreement.

“There’s no need. It’s as clear as day,” Elizabeth said confidently.

—

Outside, Seraphina and Jayden stood in silence. Seraphina tried to calm herself, while Jayden stayed indifferent.

“Jayden, stop bringing that up. I admit I liked you. But I’ve realized you’re not worth it. So stop being arrogant. I’ve decided not to meddle in your life, so let’s not meddle in each other’s anymore,” she said firmly, letting out what she had kept inside.

Jayden gave a slight nod. “Fine. But why were you so scared of my family finding out you liked me?”

Seraphina looked at him, confused. “What does that even matter? Jayden, I don’t care if you’re good at everything. I see you now for who you are. I was wrong to like you for four years. I’m leaving it all in the past. So let it go.”

“Ohh. I see. Then okay,” Jayden said, turning to walk away. But as he moved, Seraphina’s bracelet got caught on one of his buttons.

In an instant, she slipped and grabbed onto Jayden’s collar — and both of them fell to the ground.

“Ah—!”

When they landed, Seraphina was on top of Jayden. The two froze as they realized…

We kissed?!

Seraphina’s lips had fallen onto Jayden’s.