"Can you even see the stars from here?" Emma tilted her head back, squinting at the hazy sky. The faint glow of the city lights washed out most of the constellations, leaving only a handful of faint pinpricks. She tugged her oversized hoodie tighter around her, the cool night air nipping at her bare legs beneath her denim shorts.

Jake chuckled, leaning back on the park bench beside her. "Not really. But it’s better than staring at my apartment ceiling." He ran a hand through his messy dark hair, his scruffy jawline catching the dim light of the nearby streetlamp. Emma glanced at him, her lips curving into a small smile. She was used to his dry humor, the way his green eyes always seemed to hold a hint of mischief. Her own auburn hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and she absentmindedly twirled a strand around her finger, her cheeks flushed from the brisk air.

"Admit it," she said, nudging him with her elbow. "You just wanted an excuse to get me out here." Jake raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as he leaned closer. "Maybe. Or maybe I just thought you’d appreciate the ambiance." He gestured vaguely at the empty park, the shadows of the trees stretching long and eerie across the grass. Emma laughed softly, but her eyes flicked toward the darkness beyond the bench, where the faint rustle of leaves made her pause. "Did you hear that?" she whispered, her voice suddenly tense.