Here is:
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Chapter 4: Bruised Truths
Levi hated gym class almost as much as he hated mornings—and this was both.
He changed in the far corner, shoulders hunched, moving slowly. His back ached like someone had been digging knives between his shoulder blades all night, and today's forecast involved dodgeballs and humiliation.
As he limped toward the court, a voice called out.
"March! You dying or just dramatic?"
He didn't turn around. It was Coach Bertram—the human embodiment of a migraine.
"Little of both," Levi muttered, finding a spot on the bench with his name spiritually engraved on it.
The game started. Levi zoned out.
But then, he saw him—Milo, walking across the far end of the gym with headphones on, heading toward the theater hall. He wasn't in gym class. Probably had some kind of excuse. Of course he did. He was the kind of guy who made skipping look noble.
Levi stood.
He told no one where he was going. Just drifted out the side door like a ghost, slipping into the dim halls that led to the black box stage.
Milo was there, sitting alone under the muted lights, pencil tapping against his lip.
"You ditch gym too?" Levi asked, his voice echoing softly.
Milo didn't jump. Just looked over his shoulder with a faint smirk. "Didn't know ghosts needed P.E."
Levi chuckled and sat beside him, careful not to wince.
"You okay?" Milo asked, voice low.
Levi hesitated.
"No," he said finally. "But I'm good at pretending."
Milo didn't say anything right away. Then he opened his notebook and tore out a page.
He handed it over.
> You don't have to lie here. Not to me.
Levi stared at the words, then at Milo.
"No one's ever written that down for me," he said.
Milo leaned back. "Then maybe they never really saw you."
And somehow, that hurt more than the pain ever did.
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Author's Note:
Show Levi and Milo some love! Your Power Stone is a light in their darkest chapters.
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