The morning air was cool, heavy with fog.Velithra walked down the same cracked sidewalk she always did, but today it felt quieter — like even the world was holding its breath.
Her bag swung loosely against her shoulder, the strap fraying at the edges. She hadn't slept much, her dreams tangled with flashes of black eyes and words that wouldn't stop echoing: You don't have to pretend with me.
When she reached the school gates, chatter spilled from the courtyard. Groups of students clustered in circles, laughing, scrolling through their phones, alive in a way that always made her feel like she wasn't.
And then she saw him.
Kai was standing by the entrance, headphones around his neck, leaning against the wall like he'd been waiting.When his eyes found hers, he straightened — not a smile, not even a nod, just a quiet recognition.
Velithra hesitated.She didn't know what she was supposed to do — pretend last night didn't happen, or pretend it meant less than it did?
He started walking toward her before she could decide."Morning," he said simply. His voice was low, rough from sleep, but softer than usual.
"Morning," she murmured.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The noise around them blurred — laughter, footsteps, the shriek of a locker door — it all faded until it was just the two of them standing there, caught between everything unsaid.
"You look tired," Kai said finally.
"So do you," she replied, and something almost like a smile flickered at the corner of his mouth.
They began walking together toward the building. It was strange — no one had ever walked beside her before without needing a reason. But with Kai, silence didn't feel like something to fix.
As they passed a group of girls, Velithra could feel their eyes darting between her and Kai. Whispers followed them down the hallway — half curiosity, half jealousy. She tried to ignore it, but her shoulders stiffened.
Kai noticed.Without a word, his hand brushed against hers. Just once — brief, almost accidental. But enough.
Velithra froze for half a second, her pulse skipping.He didn't look at her. Didn't explain. Just kept walking like it was nothing, though his jaw was set tighter than usual.
By the time they reached the classroom, her heart still hadn't slowed.
As they sat down, she glanced sideways at him. He was staring out the window, lost in thought.The morning light caught the edge of his black hair, softening it, making him look almost unreal.
She wanted to ask him what he was thinking.She wanted to know why he always looked like he was holding back something big, something broken.
But the bell rang, and the words stayed trapped in her throat.
That night, Velithra would remember that brief touch — that quiet, defiant moment where Kai had reached out in a world full of noise.And though she wouldn't admit it to herself yet, something had changed.Something irreversible.