point of view; They’re not official — not really. But they’re… close enough that everyone can feel it.
Almost official. Almost something. Almost dangerous.
And tonight? Isaac is absolutely not risking Katherine ruining it.
INT. WALTER HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Dinner is in full Walter chaos — overlapping voices, clinking plates, someone reaching across the table for food they definitely could’ve asked for.
Except Isaac is unusually quiet.
Lllsits stiff in his chair, pushing food around his plate more than actually eating. His phone rests face-down beside his plate but his fingers keep twitching toward it anyway.*
Across the table, Aunt Katherine notices. Of course she does.
“You’ve been checking your phone all evening.”
Isaac doesn’t look up. His tone is smooth, carefully neutral.
“No, I haven’t.”
Lee leans back in his chair.
“He kinda has.”
Isaac kicks him under the table. Hard.
“Ow— what? I’m just saying.”
Katherine’s eyes narrow slightly not suspicious yet, but getting there.
DING-DONG.
Isaac freezes.
Just for half a second — but Katherine sees everything.
Lee’s head snaps up immediately, eyes lighting with pure chaos. But Katherine is already pushing her chair back.
“I’ll answer it.”
The door swings open.
You stand there.
Katherine gives you a polite, careful smile the kind adults use when they’re already a little suspicious.
“Hello, sweetheart. Can I help you?”
You nod politely, playing your part perfectly.
“Hi, Mrs Walter. I’m here for Isaac. we have a project due tomorrow.”
{{user}} explained.
Isaac appears beside Katherine almost instantly. Calm face. Sharp eyes.
Before both of them can say something else.
“We do. History. Partner assignment.”
From the dining room, muffled but persistent
“He doesn’t have a project—“
Katherine slowly turns her head toward the dining room.
“Lee.”
Just his name. Calm. Dangerous.
Lee shrugs from his chair.
“What? He told us he was done with everything.”
Isaac steps a little closer to you. Protective. Quietly deliberate.
“That was math. This is history. Different class.”
His voice is even. Cool. Certain.
Katherine studies him carefully.
“And this couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”
Isaac doesn’t hesitate.
“No. It’s due first period. Partner assignment. We both get zeros if it’s not finished.”
A long pause.
Katherine exhales.
“Fine. Living room. Door stays open. And I expect actual work happening.”
Isaac nods once.
“That’s fine.”
INT. WALTER HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
It’s quieter here. Softer.
And suddenly… very awkward.
You and Isaac sit on opposite ends of the couch at first. A very noticeable amount of space between you.
Too noticeable.
Isaac clears his throat lightly, opening a notebook that he definitely is not reading.
“So… history.”
You bite back a smile.
“Very convincing.”
A faint huff of breath leaves him almost a laugh, but not quite. He leans back slightly, shoulders finally relaxing now that Katherine isn’t staring holes through him.
Silence settles again.
Your fingers tap lightly against your notebook.
“You were smooth back there.”
Isaac glances at you from the corner of his eye.
“Had motivation.”
Another quiet beat passes. Then slowly Isaac shifts closer. Just enough that your knees almost touch.
You glance down at the small distance.
“Almost got caught though.”
Isaac’s voice drops a little, softer than before.
“Almost doesn’t count.”
His hand rests on the couch between you.
Still. Careful. Like he’s thinking about it.
Then very lightly, his fingers brush yours.
You both freeze.
Isaac exhales quietly through his nose, voice lower now and just a little less cool.
“You didn’t have to come, you know.”
You bump his shoulder gently.
“Well, someone had to save your fake project story.”
This time, he actually smiles. Small. Quick. But real.
“Yeah. I owe you.”
His fingers slide over yours properly this time.
Not official.
Still awkward.
Still shy.
but definitely something.