44 | everything's lighter

EVERYTHING'S LIGHTER

🪩

The days after Diana and Malachi made it official felt lighter — like something had shifted in the air.

Everything just felt easier.

Sunnier.

Diana caught herself smiling at random moments, humming under her breath during rehearsal, even laughing when something small went wrong. The other pros noticed it too — Dani most of all — and of course there was a lot of teasing.

Everyone could see that change in her, that glow that didn't come from makeup or stage lights. It was softer than that. Happier.

Malachi had that same glow too.

Even when he wasn't with her, he'd find ways to make her day brighter. Sometimes, during their water breaks, Diana's phone would buzz with a text from him:

starboy💫: Did you eat?

starboy💫: You're killing it, I just know it.

starboy💫: You better be smiling right now.

And she always was.

He'd started showing up to the studio, too — casual and comfortable, like he'd always belonged there. He'd usually bring takeout, or sometimes snacks. The first time he walked in, everyone had looked up, surprised, but then immediately started teasing Diana — all except Dani, who just gave her a knowing grin.

That day, Diana was on a break when she noticed him standing at the doorway with a grin on his face.

"Lunch delivery for the pretty blonde," he'd said, holding up a bag of food.

Diana had rolled her eyes, cheeks flushing, but she couldn't stop her smile. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously thoughtful," he countered, and the whole room had erupted into teasing laughter.

She'd given him a mock glare but couldn't hide how her lips curved upward. "You're gonna get me in trouble."

Malachi shrugged, stepping closer. "Worth it."

It had quickly become their thing — those little drop-ins. Sometimes he'd just sit in the corner, watching her dance, his expression a mix of pride and pure adoration. Other times, during breaks, he'd sit beside her on the floor, their shoulders touching as they ate.

Diana would always try to act like she was totally focused on rehearsal, but every time her phone buzzed or she caught him smiling at her, that blush would creep up again.

"Okay, you've got it bad," Dani whispered one afternoon as they stretched before practice.

Diana groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

"Absolutely not."

They'd both laughed, and when Malachi glanced over from across the room, Diana had quickly looked away — only for him to catch her blushing anyway.

By late afternoon, when rehearsals wrapped, Diana and Malachi would usually end up together — sometimes at her apartment, other times at his place.

Her apartment had become their cozy little bubble. They'd order food, curl up on the couch, and watch whatever movie they could agree on. Sometimes he'd bring his guitar and play softly while she painted her nails or reviewed choreography.

Other nights, she'd end up sprawled across his lap while he absentmindedly played with her hair, both of them too comfortable to move.

But his house — that was where Diana realized just how loved Malachi was.

The first dinner she had there as his girlfriend had been one of those moments that felt like something out of a movie — warm light, laughter, and that nervous flutter in her chest that wouldn't go away.

She already knew Felicia and Loren from before, but this time, the introductions felt different.

When they opened the door, Felicia had smiled wide, pulling her into a hug. "It's about damn time," she'd said with a knowing grin that made both Diana and Malachi flush.

"Mom," Malachi groaned, running a hand over his face.

"What?" Felicia laughed. "You think I didn't see the way you've been smiling at your phone the past month?"

Loren had chuckled from behind her. "You were not subtle, son."

Diana couldn't help but laugh, her nerves easing instantly.

Dinner was easy — conversation flowed effortlessly. Felicia asked Diana about the show, about the tour, about how she balanced it all. Loren cracked dad jokes that had Malachi groaning and Diana giggling.

Every now and then, Diana would feel Malachi's hand brush hers under the table — subtle, gentle, grounding.

At one point, Felicia brought up the story of the first time Malachi ever tried to cook dinner for himself.

"He nearly burned down the kitchen," she said, eyes twinkling.

"Mom," Malachi groaned again, but Diana was already laughing.

"I was, like, twelve!" he protested.

"Old enough to know that spaghetti doesn't go in the toaster oven," Loren said, deadpan, earning another round of laughter.

Diana smiled, her chest warm as she looked at the three of them — the way they teased, the comfort between them. It reminded her of her family and how much she missed them.

Felicia noticed her quiet smile and reached over to touch her hand. "You fit right in, sweetheart," she said softly.

Diana's throat tightened a little, and she smiled back. "Thank you."

Malachi had looked at her then — really looked — his eyes soft, like he wanted to memorize the moment.

After dinner, while Felicia and Loren cleaned up, Malachi led Diana outside to the backyard. The sky was a deep indigo, lights strung along the fence glowing faintly.

They sat together on the back steps, shoulders brushing.

"Thanks for coming," he said quietly, his voice gentler now.

"Thanks for inviting me," she replied. "Your parents are... seriously the best."

"Yeah," he murmured. "They like you."

Diana smiled. "I like them too."

He looked at her, that familiar warmth in his eyes. "You sure you're not just saying that because my mom made that dessert you liked?"

She laughed. "Okay, that definitely helped."

He laughed too, his hand brushing against hers until their fingers intertwined.

They sat in silence for a while — not awkward, just peaceful. The sound of crickets filled the air.

Finally, Malachi turned slightly, his voice softer. "You know, I think my mom knew I liked you before I even knew it."

Diana laughed lightly. "Really?"

"Yeah. The day we met, after you left, my mom gave me this look. You know the 'I know something' look."

"I love that she has that power over you," Diana teased.

He bumped her shoulder gently. "Yeah, yeah."

One evening, after a particularly long rehearsal, Diana had been sitting on the floor stretching when she looked up and saw him leaning against the doorway, just watching her with that soft smile.

"How long have you been standing there?" she asked, grinning.

"Long enough to see that you're way more flexible than I am."

She laughed, standing up and brushing off her leggings. "You came all this way just to say that?"

He shrugged, stepping closer. "That, and to steal you for dinner."

"Steal me?"

"Borrow you," he corrected, eyes twinkling. "Just for a couple hours."

She smiled, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

"But charming," he added quickly.

She sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately."

He grinned. "Come on, I'll drive."

Their life together — if you could even call it that yet — wasn't perfect or polished. It was late-night drives with the windows down. It was reheating leftovers at midnight. It was teasing and laughing and quiet little moments that made her heart ache in the best way.

Diana had never felt this kind of steady happiness before — the kind that wasn't about grand gestures, but about how safe it felt to simply be.

And every day that passed, that lightness grew stronger.

Malachi noticed it too.

Sometimes, he'd just watch her when she didn't realize it — the way she laughed with Dani, the way her nose scrunched when she focused, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him.

He'd find himself thinking, yeah, this is it.

This — her — was what he wanted.

And one night, when he walked her up to her apartment after dinner, the city lights glowing through the windows, Diana turned and smiled at him — that same soft, lovestruck smile that had become his favorite thing.

"Thanks for today," she said quietly.

He smiled back. "Anytime."

She hesitated, her hand still resting on his chest. "You make everything feel lighter."

"So do you," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

For a moment, they just stood there — the world quiet around them. Then she leaned up, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, slow and sweet.

When they pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers.

"See you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Always."

It wasn't dramatic or complicated. It didn't have to be.

Because for the first time in a long time, Diana wasn't waiting for the other shoe to drop.

She was happy — deeply, genuinely happy.And every smile, every shared meal, every teasing moment with Malachi only made her fall harder.

The days ahead would bring new things — challenges, maybe even moments of doubt — but right now, all she could think about was how good it felt to be exactly where she was.

In this new chapter of her life, with him.

🪩

more of a filler chapter but i still love it!!

and felicia knowing from the beginning 😉

😊