Yvaine was enjoying the soft panic on Dean’s face.
She couldn’t help smiling, “You gr–…You are so easy going. I don’t think I am gonna forget those expressions too soon.”
Yvaine gently waved both her hands, “Relax.” A soft smile appeared on her face, “I was just kidding.”
Dean finally let out the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.
He had been so dumbfounded that he didn’t even catch what Yvaine meant by ‘gr’.
She pointed toward a car parked on the road, “That’s your car, right?”
Dean nodded, “Yeahh…”
They walked near the car, he unlocked the passenger door for her and then himself sat on the driver’s seat, when something crossed his mind, while he was putting on the seatbelt.
“So, your full name is Yvaine Prescott.”
Yvaine nodded, “Yeah, it is.”
“I never knew you were one of the Prescotts.”
For a brief moment, Yvaine remained silent, but then she looked at him with a faint smile, “Does that change our friendship?”
Dean answered almost immediately, “No, not at all. It is just that I was surprised. I mean you are from Music Department and the Prescotts are—”
“One of the most influential families of lawyers in the country,” Yvaine finished the sentence before he could.
Dean smiled awkwardly, “I guess you’ve heard that line a thousand times.”
“I hear it daily, because of the major I have chosen in college.”
She looked out the window.
Her reaction reeked of family career pressure, “It feels strangely bitter coming out of mouth.” She added a quiet chuckle.
Dean glanced at her.
He figures out that there was a story hidden behind those words.
“I know a place perfect for this right moment.”
Yvaine turned toward him, “Where are we heading to?”
“A place my father used to take me, whenever I felt blue.”
“I’m not feeling blue.”
Dean rested his one hand on the steering wheel, “Who said you were feeling blue.” He smiled faintly, “When I was little, and I felt blue, Dad would take me to that place.”
Yvaine quietly listened.
“He never asked me to explain anything.
He had just stayed with me until I felt better.” Dean chuckled softly, “So…” He glanced sideways at her, “…Would you like to accompany me there, tonight?”
Yvaine’s lips curved into a small, one sided smile, “Yeah.”
He didn’t ask what was troubling her.
He didn’t insist she opened that hidden story he sensed.
Instead, he simply invited to stay with her at that moment.
For some reason, this made her happier than being questioned.
A few minutes later, Dean slowed the car before an old stone building resting on top of a quiet hill.
He pranked the car and turned off the engine.
The two stepped outside.
Yvaine looked up at the dome-shaped building, “An observatory?” She smiled with curiosity, “…A new place to explore?”
Dean looked at the building for a long moment, “It’s been almost a decade since I last came here.”
The two started walking along the stone pathway leading toward the entrance.
Halfway there and Yvaine’s tote bag suddenly slipped from her arm, which landed on the ground with a soft thud.
She bent slightly to pick it up.
Dean reached it first, “I can carry it, if you want.”
Yvaine raised an eyebrow.
A playful smile slowly appeared on her face, “Really?” She held the bag out toward him almost teasingly, “You are gonna carry my bag?”
She expected him to laugh and refuse.
But, Dean simply took it from her hands.
“Sure.”
Then he continued walking as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Yvaine stood frozen.
He actually took it.
She stared at his back for a few seconds before an amused smile escaped her lips.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head.
She hurried after him, matching his pace beneath the quiet midnight sky.
The observatory welcomed them with a soft chime.
Warm golden lights glowed gently along the circular walls, while the enormous glass dome above revealed a sky overflowing with stars.
The moon hung quietly between drifting clouds, bathing the observatory in a silver-blue glow.
Only a handful of visitors remained.
Dean and Yvaine walked in without saying a word.
Yvaine slowly looked upward, “…It’s beautiful.”
Dean followed her gaze.
“My dad always used to tell me that, no matter how complicated life feels, the stars never forget to shine in the sky.”
A gentle silence settled between them.
This wasn’t awkward at all.
It was peacefully comfortable somehow.
As they continued strolling through the observatory, a colorful banner near the exit caught Dean’s attention.
Tonight Only – Midnight Stargazing Boat Experience starts from 10 pm.
Beyond the glass doors, a calm lake reflected countless stars, while a few wooden boats drifted peacefully across the water.
Tiny lanterns floated along the shoreline, their warm glow dancing gently with the ripples.
Dean looked toward Yvaine, “Wanna try it?”
She followed his gaze.
The boats glided quietly beneath the open sky.
A small smile appeared on her lips, “Should we?”
Dean shrugged with a grin, “I mean… we’re already here. Besides, I don’t mind.”
Yvaine nodded, “Okay, let’s try it then.”
A few minutes later, they climbed into a small wooden rowboat, after paying the due rent.
The attendant untied the rope before gently pushing away from the dock.
The rhythmic sound of water brushing against the water filled around them.
The stars seemed even brighter than before.
Dean rested the paddle beside him, “So…” He glanced at Yvaine, “What got you into Cascara?”
She tilted her head, “Cascara?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s so underrated.”
“I think that’s exactly what makes it special.”
Dean listened quietly.
“When I was around ten, there was a friend of mine,” A nostalgic smile slowly appeared on her face.
“Considering his family’s history with Cascara, he said to me back then, that let’s make Cascara our thing too when we grew up, even if we both forget eachother.”
Dean couldn’t help smiling, “Aww, that’s actually really sweet.”
Yvaine’s smile became quieter, “But he is lost.”