EPISODE 15- "The Quiet between us"
1690 Words
CAROL’S HOUSE – GUEST ROOM – NIGHT
The room is dim.
Soft light from the bedside lamp spills gently across the walls.
Everything is neat.
Calm.
Still.
Too still.
Jenny sits on the edge of the bed.
Her hands rest on her lap, fingers slightly curled.
She hasn’t moved for a while.
Her mind is loud.
Too loud for a quiet room like this.
She slowly lifts her hand—
presses her palm against her cheek.
Warm.
Still warm.
Her brows knit slightly.
Then she stands.
Walks toward the mirror.
Her reflection stares back at her.
Eyes slightly wide.
Cheeks faintly flushed.
Lips parted as if she wants to say something—
but doesn’t know what.
Jenny raises both hands—
and lightly slaps her cheeks.
JENNY (whispering)
“Wake up…”
Another light slap.
JENNY (CONT’D)
“What is this…”
Her hand drifts down—
to her chest.
Her heartbeat—
fast.
Too fast.
She presses her palm there, as if trying to calm it.
JENNY (softly)
“I don’t understand…”
She inhales deeply.
But it doesn’t help.
If anything—
it makes her more aware.
Of everything.
Carol’s voice.
Carol’s smile.
Carol’s touch.
Her fingers tighten slightly over her shirt.
JENNY (quickly, almost defensive)
“It’s nothing.”
She shakes her head.
JENNY (CONT’D)
“It’s just… gratitude.”
The word feels weak.
Unconvincing.
She exhales.
Turns away from the mirror—
as if escaping her own thoughts.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
Soft.
Gentle.
Jenny freezes.
Her body stiffens instantly.
Her heart—
beats even faster.
JENNY
“Y-Yes?”
The door opens slightly.
Carol stands there.
Wearing a loose, silky bathrobe.
Her hair still slightly damp—
a few strands falling naturally around her face.
Effortless.
Soft.
Beautiful.
She smiles.
CAROL
You can’t sleep too? ^_^
Jenny swallows.
Her throat suddenly dry.
JENNY
“Ah… yes.”(ʘᴗʘ✿)
Her voice comes out softer than she intended.
Almost fragile.
Carol tilts her head slightly.
Studying her.
Not too obvious.
But enough to notice.
CAROL
“Want some tea?”
Jenny blinks.
Then nods quickly.
JENNY
“Okay.”
And just like that—
something inside her settles.
POOL AREA – NIGHT
Soft lights glow around the pool.
The water reflects gentle ripples of blue and gold.
The night air is cool—
wrapping around them like a quiet embrace.
A small table sits between two seats.
Two cups of tea.
Steam rising slowly.
They sit side by side.
Not too close.
But not far either.
Close enough to feel each other’s presence.
Far enough to pretend it’s nothing.
Carol hands Jenny a cup.
CAROL
Careful. It’s hot.
Jenny smiles softly.
JENNY
Thank you.
Their fingers almost touch—
They sip.
Then silence follows.
But it’s not empty.
The kind of silence that feels…
shared.
Carol glances at her.
CAROL
You’ve been quiet tonight. Are you okay?
Jenny looks at the water.
The reflection moves slowly—
like her thoughts.
JENNY
Yeah, I was just thinking. (^_^'')
CAROL
About?
Jenny hesitates.
Her fingers tighten slightly around the cup.
JENNY
About… everything.
Carol nods slowly.
Understanding more than she says.
CAROL
Overthinking before bed isn’t good.
A small smile.
Light.
Jenny lets out a soft laugh.
JENNY
You too? (´^ω^`)
Carol exhales through a faint smile.
CAROL
All the time. ^_^
Their eyes meet.
No rush.
No urgency.
Just—
eye contact.
A second longer than normal.
Jenny looks away first.
Carol notices.
Smiles to herself.
The air feels different.
Not uncomfortable.
They were just quietly aware of each other.
The pool water reflects soft light across their faces.
Flickering.
Shifting.
Jenny lifts her cup again—
but doesn’t drink.
She’s aware of everything.
How close they are.
How quiet it is.
How her heart refuses to slow down.
Carol leans back slightly.
Relaxed.
She stretches her arm along the back of the seat—
casual.
Unthinking.
And—
her fingers brush against Jenny’s hand.
Jenny flinches softly.
Her breath catches.
Carol immediately looks at her.
Surprised.
Then laughs lightly.
CAROL
I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?
Jenny quickly shakes her head.
JENNY
No… no. It’s okay. ( ⸝⸝´ ᵕ `⸝⸝)
She smiles.
But her cheeks are red.
Her hand—
stays where it is.
Just for a second.
Neither of them moves away immediately.
Time stretches.
Quiet. Warm.
Jenny becomes hyper-aware.
Of the space between their fingers.
Of the warmth lingering there.
Carol notices.
Her gaze softens.
But slowly—
she pulls her hand back.
Not abruptly.
Not awkwardly.
Just enough.
She studies Jenny for a brief moment.
Then looks away.
And stands.
CAROL
Maybe we should sleep. (⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝)
Jenny’s heart sinks.
Just a little.
Something inside her whispers—
Not yet…
But she nods anyway.
JENNY
Ah… yeah. (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
Carol smiles softly.
CAROL
Goodnight, Jenny. (..◜ᴗ◝..)
She turns.
Begins to walk inside.
Jenny watches her.
Something tightens in her chest.
Before she can stop herself—
JENNY
Ahm… Carol.
Carol stops.
Turns back.
CAROL
“Yes?”
Jenny swallows.
Her fingers tighten slightly against her dress.
She hesitates.
Then—
JENNY
Thank you… for everything. (ㅅ´ ˘ `)
A small pause.
JENNY (CONT’D)
Good night. ૮₍ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ₎ა
Carol’s expression softens.
More than before.
She holds Jenny’s gaze.
Just a second longer.
Then smiles.
CAROL
Sleep well. ₊˚⊹♡
Her voice is gentle.
Warm.
And then—
she walks inside.
Jenny remains where she is.
Still.
Her hand slowly lifts.
Touching where their fingers almost met.
Still tingling.
Her heart—
still racing.
She exhales slowly.
JENNY (whispering)
“This is bad…”
But—
she’s smiling.
INSIDE THE HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Carol steps inside.
The door slides quietly behind her.
She pauses.
Just for a second.
Her hand lifts slightly—
touching her own fingers.
The same place.
Her brows knit faintly.
Confused.
But—
she smiles too.
Not fully aware of why.
GUEST ROOM – LATER
Jenny returns to her room.
Closes the door gently.
She leans against it.
Eyes closing. (◡ ‿ ◡ .)
Her breathing slow—
but her heart still restless. ᥫ᭡
She walks to the bed.
Sits.
Then lies down.
Staring at the ceiling.
The quiet returns.
But it feels different now.
Not heavy.
Not lonely.
Just…full.
Her fingers curl slightly against the sheets.
JENNY (THOUGHTS)
Why does it feel like this…
No answer.
She turns to her side.
Pulls the blanket closer.
And slowly—
her eyes begin to close.
A small smile still resting on her lips.
CAROL’S ROOM – SAME TIME
Carol sits on her bed.
Phone beside her.
Unread messages glowing faintly.
But she ignores them.
Her mind drifts.
Back to the pool.
Jenny’s voice.
Jenny’s eyes.
The way she said—
“Thank you… for everything.”
Carol exhales softly.
She leans back.
Staring at the ceiling.
CAROL (murmuring)
“…What is this?”
She doesn’t sound bothered.
Just—
curious.
Her fingers move slightly—
as if remembering something.
She closes her eyes.
And for the first time in a long while—
She doesn’t feel alone.
POOL AREA – EMPTY – NIGHT
The night wraps around the space in gentle stillness.
But the silence feels different now.
Not empty—
but filled with something neither of them dared to say.
A pause that holds more than words.
A quiet beginning—
slowly unfolding between them.
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