Chapter 17: Chapter 15

Confronting the Escape

The group’s schedules had grown even busier with work and training, but they always managed to carve out time for each other. Tonight, they gathered at a cozy bowling alley, ready for a night of laughter and chaos. Y/N felt a knot of tension in her chest when she noticed Kenan looking her way, but she plastered on her usual smile, determined to keep things light.

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Avoidance Tactics

As the group divided into teams, Y/N strategically positioned herself on the opposite side of the lane from Kenan, sticking close to Rosé and Duru.

Rosé: teasing "You’re really bad at hiding, you know."

Y/N: pretending not to hear "What? I’m just staying where the snacks are."

Duru: smirking "Sure, because it has nothing to do with Kenan."

Y/N: glaring playfully "Can you not?"

Rosé: whispering "You know you’re going to have to talk to him eventually, right?"

Y/N: sighing "Not tonight."

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Bowling Chaos

The group’s game quickly devolved into a mix of friendly competition and outright mayhem. Barış celebrated every strike like he’d won a championship, while Arda dramatically lamented his gutter balls.

Barış: flexing "That’s three strikes in a row. I’m unstoppable!"

Arda: "Yeah, yeah. Let me know when you figure out how to aim."

Duru: nudging Arda "You’ve got no room to talk, Mr. Zero Points."

Rosé, meanwhile, tried to give Y/N pointers, but they spent more time laughing at her failed attempts than actually improving her score.

Rosé: giggling "I think you’re the first person to make the ball bounce!"

Y/N: groaning "It’s a skill, okay?"

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Kenan Watches Quietly

While everyone was distracted, Kenan leaned against the back wall, watching Y/N. She was smiling and laughing, but he could see through the mask she wore. She’d been avoiding him all night, and he was tired of pretending not to notice.

Barış: stepping up beside him "You’re staring again."

Kenan: "Am I?"

Barış: smirking "Yeah, and it’s getting obvious. Why don’t you just talk to her?"

Kenan: sighing "Because she’s avoiding me. Every time I try, she shuts me out."

Barış: "Then stop waiting for the right moment and just do it. What’s the worst that can happen?"

Kenan glanced at Y/N, determination settling in his eyes.

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The Confrontation

When the game ended, the group decided to grab dessert at a nearby café. As they walked, Kenan hung back, waiting for Y/N to fall into step beside him. When she tried to speed up to join Rosé and Duru, he gently grabbed her arm.

Kenan: softly "Y/N, can we talk?"

Y/N: hesitant "Now’s not really a good time."

Kenan: "It’s never a good time. You keep running, and I’m done chasing."

His words made her stop, her heart pounding. She looked up at him, the vulnerability in his eyes catching her off guard.

Y/N: quietly "I’m not running."

Kenan: "Yes, you are. You’ve been avoiding me for weeks. Did I do something wrong?"

Y/N: shaking her head "No, it’s not you. It’s me. I just... I don’t know how to do this."

Kenan: frowning "Do what?"

Y/N: struggling to find the words "Let someone in. Trust that I won’t mess everything up. I don’t even know if I’m enough."

Kenan’s expression softened, and he stepped closer.

Kenan: "Y/N, you don’t have to have all the answers. And you don’t have to be perfect. I like you for who you are, not for who you think you have to be."

Her eyes filled with unshed tears, and she looked away, unsure how to respond.

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Rosé and Duru’s Interruption

From up ahead, Rosé and Duru turned back, calling out to them.

Rosé: "Hey, lovebirds! Are you coming, or do we need to send a search party?"

Y/N: blushing "We’re coming!"

Kenan let out a small laugh, but his gaze stayed on her as they continued walking.

Kenan: softly "Think about what I said, okay? I’m not going anywhere."

Y/N nodded, her chest tight with emotion.

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At the Café

The café was buzzing with chatter as the group settled into a corner booth. Barış insisted on ordering an outrageous amount of dessert, much to Duru’s amusement.

Duru: "Are you planning to eat all of that by yourself?"

Barış: grinning "Don’t underestimate me."

As the conversation flowed, Kenan remained quieter than usual, but his attention often drifted to Y/N. She caught his gaze a few times, her heart racing every time their eyes met.

Rosé: nudging Y/N under the table "You okay?"

Y/N: nodding "Yeah. Just... thinking."

Rosé: "About Kenan?"

Y/N: glaring "Not everything is about him."

Rosé: smirking "Sure it isn’t."

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Ending Note

As the night wore on, the tension between Y/N and Kenan remained, but something had shifted. For the first time, Y/N allowed herself to consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to carry everything alone. Kenan wasn’t pushing—he was simply waiting, and that thought both comforted and terrified her.