Chapter 147 CHAPTER 148

Chapter 147 CHAPTER 148
CHAPTER 148
YAEL
A week later, the group decided it was time to do something normal. We all agreed to go out for a casual dinner at our favorite restaurant near campus. It was nothing fancy, just a cozy Italian place with good pasta and even better dessert. We wanted to feel like regular students again, even if only for one night.

We arrived together and got a big table in the corner. Maya sat next to Aaron, Jordan and Liam sat across from each other, and Knox and I sat side by side. The moment we sat down, Knox reached under the table and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. I smiled at him and squeezed back.

Maya looked at the menu and grinned. “I’m getting the carbonara. And maybe the tiramisu after. We deserve it after everything.”

Jordan nodded. “Same. I need carbs. Lots of carbs. This week has been too long.”

Liam laughed. “You say that every week.”

Aaron scanned the menu quietly, but I could see the small smile on his face. He was trying to relax. We all were.

The waiter came and took our orders. As soon as he left, Knox leaned over and kissed my temple softly. “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered.

I blushed and leaned into him. “You’re sweet.”

Maya noticed and raised an eyebrow. “You two are so cute it’s almost sickening. But in a good way.”

Knox chuckled and kissed my temple again. His hand stayed on my thigh under the table, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb.

Aaron cleared his throat. “Do you two have to be so affectionate in public? We’re trying to eat here.”

Maya burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Aaron. You sound like a grumpy old dad. Let them be cute. It’s not hurting anyone.”

Aaron crossed his arms and tried to look serious. “I’m just saying. There’s a time and place. We don’t need to see all that at the dinner table.”

Jordan grinned. “Aaron, you’re so protective it’s adorable. But seriously, they’re not even doing anything crazy. It’s just a kiss on the temple.”

Liam nodded. “Yeah, man. Relax. They’re happy. Let them be happy.”

Knox smiled and pulled me a little closer. “Sorry, Aaron. I can’t help it. Your sister is too pretty to keep my hands off.”

I laughed and nudged him. “Stop it. You’re going to make it worse.”

Maya turned to Aaron and poked his side. “See? They’re in love. You should be happy for them. Or are you jealous because you don’t have anyone to kiss right now?”

Aaron’s cheeks turned a little pink. “I’m not jealous. I’m just… looking out for my sister.”

Maya leaned in and kissed his cheek loudly. “You’re cute when you’re protective. But you can loosen up a little. We’re all friends here.”

The food arrived and we all dug in. The conversation flowed easily. Jordan told us a funny story about her professor who kept mixing up names in class. Liam teased her about how she always fell asleep during lectures. Maya kept stealing fries from Aaron’s plate even though she had her own.

I turned to Knox and whispered, “This is nice. I needed this.”

He kissed my cheek softly. “Me too. I like seeing you smile like this.”

Aaron glanced at us again and sighed. “Seriously? Right in front of the pasta?”

Maya burst out laughing again. “Aaron! Leave them alone. If you keep complaining, I’m going to start kissing you in public just to see how you like it.”

Aaron’s eyes widened. “Don’t you dare.”

Maya grinned mischievously and leaned in closer to him. “Try me.”

Jordan and Liam were laughing so hard they almost choked on their food. I could not stop smiling. The petty drama was light and harmless, and Maya’s teasing made everything feel normal again.

Knox squeezed my thigh under the table and whispered in my ear, “I don’t care what Aaron says. I’m going to keep kissing you all night.”

I turned my head and kissed him quickly on the lips. “Good. I like when you do that.”

Aaron groaned. “I’m right here, you know.”

Maya patted his arm. “Let them have their moment. You’ll survive.”

We finished dinner and ordered dessert. While we waited, Knox pulled me closer and rested his chin on my shoulder. We talked quietly about nothing important while the others chatted loudly around us.

When the tiramisu arrived, Maya took a big spoonful and held it out to Aaron. “Here. Eat this and stop being grumpy.”

Aaron took the bite and smiled despite himself. “It’s good.”

“See?” Maya said triumphantly. “Food makes everything better.”

Jordan raised her glass of soda. “To the group. To surviving everything and still being able to sit here and eat pasta together.”

We all raised our glasses and clinked them.

“To us,” I said softly.

Knox kissed my cheek again. “To us.”

The rest of the night was filled with laughter and easy conversation. Aaron made a few more small comments about Knox and me being too affectionate, but Maya teased him every time until he gave up and started laughing with the rest of us.

By the time we left the restaurant, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. The dinner had been simple, but it reminded me how strong our group was. Even with Grey still out there, we could still have nights like this.

Knox held my hand the whole walk back to the dorm. “Thank you for tonight,” he said quietly. “I needed this too.”

I squeezed his hand. “Me too. I love our friends. And I love being with you.”

He stopped walking for a second and pulled me into a gentle kiss right there on the side
walk. When he pulled back, his eyes were soft.

“I love being with you too,” he whispered.