Chapter 5 A Night Full of Stars

Phoebe's POV

I stood nervously in front of Supervisor Arthur at the hotel reception. The night outside had turned quiet, but my heart was still stormy.

"Can I really stay here for one more night?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. "Didn't you want to chase me out earlier?"

Arthur looked tired, but there was a strange smile on his face. "What's wrong? Don't want to stay now? It's already dark outside. If you leave, no one's going to stop you."

"It's not that!" I said quickly. "Thank you, Supervisor!" I bowed a little, happy but also confused.

"That's enough," he waved me off. "No need to thank me like that."

He paused for a moment, then said something that surprised me. "Listen... our chairman-he may seem harsh, but he's not a bad person. He just called through his assistant. Said he wanted to cancel your punishment. You can stay in the hotel again. And... you can keep your job too."

I blinked at him, shocked. My throat felt tight. "I'm not doing this because I owe him," I finally said. "We're equals now. And besides, I have to go back to college after tonight anyway."

Arthur nodded, understanding. "You're free to decide."

"By the way," I asked, "have my college friends arrived yet?"

Before he could answer, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Pheebs."

I turned quickly. "Dylan!" I said with a huge smile.

He walked toward me, frowning. "Why do you look like a mess? And you didn't answer my calls. I almost called the police, you know?"

I giggled a little. "It's a long story."

A new voice broke in. "She's the one you're looking for?"

A girl with perfect hair and designer boots stepped forward, standing next to Dylan. She smiled confidently. "I'm Dawn Williams. Dylan and I are classmates at Downtown Layout University."

She held out her hand. I just stared at it and then looked away, not moving.

Dawn frowned, obviously annoyed. "Why does everyone give me the same reaction?"

"She's been like this since we were kids," Dylan said, laughing awkwardly.

"Why are you still standing here?" he added, grabbing my hand and pulling me away.

"Dylan," I said in a babyish voice, pretending to pout.

He didn't fall for it. "It's useless trying to act cute. I'm still going to interrogate you later. Are you hurt?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

Dawn followed us, clearly not happy with the attention I was getting. But I didn't care. Right now, I just wanted to hold onto the peace I felt beside Dylan.

Dylan led me to the open terrace where a group of our classmates was already setting up equipment. They had a telescope, a few beanbags, snacks, and even some music playing softly. The whole vibe was calm and friendly-but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling growing in my chest.

"Come on," Max said, holding up a notepad like a teacher. "Let's see who's been paying attention. Give me another name for the Perseids."

Austin and Dylan looked at each other, unsure. Before either of them could speak, Dawn stepped in confidently. "It's Virgo, right?"

Dylan shook his head. "Incorrect."

Max smirked. "Dylan, your turn."

"Uh..." Dylan scratched his head. "Something about gamma?"

"Give us the answer, then," Max teased.

"It's the Perseids gamma meteor shower," Dylan finally said.

Everyone clapped lightly, even though it wasn't really impressive. I didn't clap. I had slowly drifted to a lonely table on the side. I felt out of place. Everyone was laughing, enjoying themselves. And Dawn... she was doing everything to grab Dylan's attention. It worked too. She was bold and bright and never stopped talking. Meanwhile, I just sat there, invisible.

I stood up and quietly walked to a smaller table where someone had left empty bowls. I picked one up, out of habit. Before I could take it to the counter, Dylan walked over.

"Just leave it there. The roomkeeper will collect it later," he said casually.

"I am the roomkeeper," I said, half-smiling. "I've been working here for a month, remember? I'm used to this. It's easy."

Dylan looked surprised. "You reminded me of something. Why did you book this suite for us? And why are you working in such a remote place?"

I shrugged. "It's not for you guys. I came here because the pay is good. Since I work here, I thought I might as well help you all out with the room."

He looked at me kindly. "You've helped me a lot. I owe you."

"Don't mention it," I said quickly, brushing it off. "You helped me too, in the past."

"I did?" he asked, scratching his hair.

I smiled gently. "You probably forgot."

There was a short silence between us. Then he asked, "Didn't you say you needed to tell me something?"

My chest tightened. "I..." I was just about to speak when I heard a familiar voice.

"The meteor showers are coming again! Let's go!" Dawn ran toward us and grabbed Dylan's arm.

I stepped back slightly. The moment I wanted to say something important... gone.

"Come together with us," Dylan said, glancing at me.

"Faster, let's go!" Dawn pulled at him, trying to drag him away.

The group was already calling Dylan from across the terrace.

"Dylan, you're here? Look at this! Do you know how to adjust it?" someone asked.

Dawn rushed to the telescope. "Are the meteor showers here?"

She peered into the lens, gasping dramatically. "Dylan, you're amazing!"

"We'll wait for the second wave," Max and Austin said from behind, chatting with each other.

I stood behind them, watching quietly. Everyone was excited. Everyone had something to do. Everyone had someone... except me.

I stood alone at the edge of the terrace, pretending to look at the stars, but my eyes weren't focused. I was watching them. Dylan, Dawn, everyone laughing together. A small ache grew in my chest. I wanted to be part of that group so badly, but I also didn't want to force myself in where I clearly wasn't needed.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out, but it was just a low battery warning. I sighed and slipped it back in. The stars looked beautiful above, but I felt far away from everything.

Meanwhile, across town...

At another hotel, Richard stood shirtless in front of the bathroom mirror. He was checking his reflection with a confused look.

"This is impossible," he muttered, touching his chest and arms.

He expected to see red patches, signs of his allergic reaction-but there was nothing. Not even the faintest trace. His expression shifted from confusion to disbelief.

"With this kind of contact... It's impossible for me to be okay."

He stepped closer to the mirror, narrowing his eyes, remembering the night events where I had touched him countless times.

A soft knock came at the door. "Sir," Mason's voice came from outside.

Richard opened the door, and Mason handed him the small fancy bag.

"Here's the stuff you asked for."

"Thanks," Richard said, taking it.

"I'll leave you now," Mason added before walking away.

Richard walked back inside and sat on the bed. He opened the bag and pulled out the contents carefully-an envelope with a sealed letter, a necklace, and a small silver ring. His hands moved slowly as he examined them one by one.

He stared at the necklace for a long time. On the back, there was a tiny engraved symbol. His eyebrows furrowed. Then he opened the envelope and took out the letter.

The ink stamp on the bottom corner had the same symbol.

He picked up the ring. It also had the same mark.

Richard's fingers tightened around the items. "Impossible," he whispered. "Is she the one who saved me by the river...?"

His voice trailed off as he kept looking between the three matching symbols. A memory flashed in his mind-the moment by the river, when he'd collapsed, and someone had pulled him out.

His face darkened.

It can't be her... can it?

He sat still, deep in thought, everything around him suddenly silent.

Back at the hotel terrace

The second wave of the meteor shower had started, and the sky sparkled like glitter. Everyone cheered and pointed at the sky, calling out to each other.

I was still standing at the back, arms crossed, hugging myself against the breeze.

"Phoebe!" Dylan turned and waved at me.

I smiled and took a few steps closer, but Dawn stepped right in front of him again, blocking his view.

"It's so pretty," she said, her voice sweet. "Can you help me get a picture?"

I stopped walking and stayed where I was.

Maybe I wasn't supposed to be part of this moment. Maybe this wasn't for me.

I stared at the sky instead. I made a wish quietly in my heart.

Please... help me find my place. Somewhere I belong. Somewhere I'm not left behind.

The wind blew softly, brushing my hair against my cheeks.

Even though I was surrounded by people, I'd never felt more alone.