Yris was already taking selfies when Dorian arrived.

“Wait, don’t move,” she said immediately, holding up a hand before he could even properly greet her. “The lighting here is insane.”

Dorian stopped mid-step obediently.

Yris shifted closer beside him, tilting her phone upward slightly.

“Okay, now try looking less emotionally unavailable.”

“…That’s just my face.”

She burst out laughing instantly.

“See? That. I like when you joke.”

Click.

Click.

Click.

Yris lowered the phone immediately after.

“Oh this one’s cute,” she said. “Wait no—THIS one. Damn, my side profile is actually dangerous tonight.”

“Bao Bei~ which one do I look better in?" she pouts at him, showing several incredibly similar selfies.
*Bao Bei = Baby in Chinese

Dorian tilted his head, carefully observing the difference, if any, on said selfies, then chose one. 

"This." He said.

She grinned before finally looking at him properly.

"You have a good eye. Love that about you. You deserve a kiss!"

She hopped to his side and planted a quick kiss to his cheek, then giggling. He simply chuckled and smiled at Yris then gestured for them to enter the car.

Tapping away on her phone, Dorian couldn't help but look over sneakily at times whilst driving. 

That was until she spoke up first. "I know what that look is about.”

"I said nothing." Dorian replied.

“I know that stare, Bao Bei.”

“Which is?”

"The sunburn on my nose! Ugh! Is it sooo obvious? The girls are gonna make fun of me. I mean, look at me?!" She sulked in her seat, looking defeated as her phone fell to her lap. 

Dorian tried to get a peek of the screen. However, it was dark. Obviously she locked her phone before exposing it openly. He shook his head, getting his focus back.

“Hui Yi...”

"Hmm?"

"You do know you go under the sun every day because of football... It's expected for you to get sunburnt."

Yris narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms, then looks away.

"Hmph! You're supposed to comfort me!" She complained, sulking once again.

He side-eyed her, peeking at the sulking Yris, then back to the road. 

"Hui Yi, you're still beautiful."

"Awww, who taught you to be so-"

"....than most."

She gasped dramatically but laughed, hitting him on side of his arm.

"Than most?? How dare you!"

She pinches him playfully, while he chuckled, trying to avoid her pinches, hands still on the wheel.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After a rather joyful ride to restaurant Dorian booked ahead for their lunch date at an Italian restaurant right in the city centre, the couple got out of the car.

Yris was adjusting her bodycon dress, pulling it down, then checking herself out at the side mirror.

"To hell with this sunburn, this is so NOT cutesy."

She was about to take out her make up powder but stopped when Dorian cleared his throat. She looked up at him, both hands in his pocket.

"Tay Hui Yi."

“Wha- wait, you only use my full name when you think I’m being dramatic.”

“You are being dramatic.”

She gasped loudly.

“Fine~ I'll just ignore it.”

"Thank you."

Dorian sarcastically replied to Yris rolling her eyes in response. He huffed quietly through his nose while opening the restaurant door for her. The pair shared a calm and peaceful late lunch together, eating pizzas and drinking Aperol spritz. Chattered on about random things. Until it was finally sunset, and Yris looked at her phone.

"Dear, I think it's time for us to go to Forever Club at Waterfront. Jessica says she's on the way."

Dorian nods, and pays the bill at the counter. Yris mindlessly walked to his side, typing on her phone.

He peeks at her screen casually, but was stunned to see her chat with a contact saved as only a crown + ball + black heart emoji. The chat was even worse. 

It was Brennen.

"Are u done with your 'date'? miss u x"

Dorian quickly looked away and straight ahead. He could feel his anger rising. 

His breath quickened. 

His face hotter.

'Not now, Dorian. Not now.' He chanted in his head. 

As soon as the receipt was held out to him, he snatched it, startling the receptionist.

"Sorry. Thanks." That was all he managed to say.

Yris, oblivious to what was happening, raised her head and stared confusingly.

"Huh? Oh- are we done here?"

Dorian nodded then led the way, not even opening the door for her this time.

Not after what he just witnessed.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The waterfront was crowded tonight.

Music.

Laughter.

Warm lights reflecting against the sea. Yris seemed energized by it immediately. Dorian , however, felt tired the moment he stepped into it.

But he stayed.

As much as he wanted to leave, he had to stay.

“Okay, so,” Yris began almost immediately, “Jessica’s birthday is this Saturday and apparently the dress code is ‘coastal glam’ which is honestly the dumbest phrase I’ve ever heard—”

“But you’re still going.”

“Duh, obviously.”

“…Naturally.”

“Don’t judge me, Bao Bei.”

“I’m admiring the commitment.”

“That’s better.”

Yris talked.

A lot. Well, mostly about football drama, TikTok trends, football committee gossip, people she currently disliked, Jessica's birthday planning, outfits for said birthday, and back to gossip.

Oh how she loved to gossip.

Dorian listened.

Nodded occasionally.

Responded when needed, but mostly, he watched her.

Trying.

Trying to still be that boyfriend.

Her boyfriend.

“…And then she had the audacity to say I was overreacting,” Yris complained dramatically. “Like hello?? If your boyfriend follows random girls at 2 a.m., that is suspicious behavior.”

Dorian took a sip of water.

“…Mhm.”

Yris narrowed her eyes immediately.

“You’re not listening.”

“I am.”

“No, you’re doing that thing where you stare at me but mentally leave your body.” She explained, waving her hands around.

Dorian blinked once.

“You said Amelia got mad because her boyfriend followed some gym influencer,” he replied calmly. “Then Jessica called her insecure and everyone started fighting in the group chat.”

Silence.

Yris stared at him.

“…Okay, fine. You were listening.”

“Always do.”

“I hate that you actually listen.”

“You should have known me by now, Hui Yi.”

That came out quieter than intended.

Yris paused slightly. Then looked away first.

“…Yeah,” she said lightly. “I know.”

The atmosphere shifted briefly after that. Not enough to ruin the night but just enough to notice.

Later, they saw a small gift shop next door, and decided to stop by just to get out from the club, get some air.

“Okay,” Yris announced. 

“What do we get Jessica?”

Dorian glanced around the shelves.

“Depends. What does she actually like?”

Yris blinked, tapping a finger to her lips.

“…Cute things?”

Dorian raised an eyebrow, “That’s not specific.”

“Why don't you suggest something then?” She said, hands on her hips.

Dorian shrugged. He looked around a bit, and picked up a handcrafted bracelet from one of the shelves. It was beaded with adorable pastel-colored gems and seashells.

“What about this?” he suggested. “You said she likes cute things.”

Yris stared at it briefly.

Then made a face.

“…That’s kind of cheap-looking though.”

Dorian looked down at it again.

“…It’s relatable to her birthday theme though.”

“And?”

A beat.

“Seashells? Please. As if I would be buying that kind of gift.”

She laughed lightly afterward like it was obviously a joke.

But Dorian still went quiet for a second, his jaw tightened. Yris didn’t notice. She was already holding up a luxury-looking pearl jewellry set instead.

“Now THIS is giving Yris Tay. A total class. A luxury-gifting diva.”

“...Sure.”

She squealed in excitement.

“I'm gonna go pay up!”

Dorian nodded once.

“Alright.”

By the time they left the shop later that night, Yris seemed completely energized again. Dorian had helped Yris to store the gift in their car, and he took his sweet time doing so before heading back to the club where Yris was at.

Laughing.

Greeting people.

Taking photos.

Dorian stayed beside her quietly, lost in thought, while Yris enjoys herself, moving to the beat and basking in the nightlife.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The drive back started with Yris rambling again almost immediately.

“I swear if Jessica changes restaurants last minute, I’m actually not going because why are we acting like we’re celebrities planning the Met Gala—”

“Hui Yi.”

She stopped mid-sentence.

Mostly because Dorian rarely interrupted her.

“…Yeah? What is it?”

Dorian kept his eyes on the road.

Then, hesitated.

“Are you…” he started quietly, “happy lately?”

Silence.

Yris blinked.

“…Huh?”

“You just seem…” He frowned slightly, trying to find the words. “Different lately.”

She stared at him strangely now.

“…That’s a weird question.”

Dorian immediately regretted asking.

“Forget it.”

“No, I’m just confused,” Yris laughed lightly. “Since when do you ask deep emotional questions?”

Dorian huffed softly through his nose.

“…It was just a random question. Nevermind.”

“...You okay, dear?” she asked now, tilting her head slightly and placing a hand on his lap. 

“Yeah.” he said.

A pause.

Then Dorian tried again.

“…Do you ever think about us after graduation?”

That made Yris stare at him again.

“What is WITH you tonight? Where is this all coming from?”

Dorian kept quiet and only stared at the road before him as he drove. Restraining himself from blurting out the truth.

About her making out with Brennen.

About that text about missing him just then.

Taking a deep breath, Dorian composed himself. Keeping her from the truth.

For now.

“…Just curious, that's all.”

Yris watched him for another second before shrugging lightly.

“I mean, obviously we’ll still be together?” she answered casually. “Why are you acting like we’re in a breakup scene?”

“…Right.”

“You’re so weird all of a sudden.”

She laughed again before immediately moving on.

“Anyway, as I was saying—if Jessica invites her ex to the birthday thing, I’m literally leaving because I refuse to witness public humiliation voluntarily—”

And just like that, the conversation slipped away from him again.

Dorian stared quietly at the road ahead while Hui Yi continued rambling beside him.

His mind kept going back and forth with the present and how he had seen her cheat not once, but twice. 

Both happened right in front of him.

And somehow, now, he felt lonelier than he had all night.