The morning sunlight felt muted, thin — like even the world was tired.
Velithra walked through the school gates with her earbuds in, the same song looping though she wasn't really listening. The sound was just there to fill the silence, to drown out her thoughts.
But nothing could drown out that feeling.That strange pulse in her chest, like her heart was remembering something her mind couldn't.
She hadn't slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, she swore she saw a shadow outside her window — tall, still, watching. When she finally did drift off, her dreams were full of rain and whispers. And always, his voice.
Kai.
She found him before class — standing near the entrance, leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets like he'd been waiting. His black hair caught the faint light spilling through the hall's windows, and for a second, she could swear his eyes looked darker than usual.
When their gazes met, something unspoken passed between them. Neither smiled. Neither looked away.
"Velithra," he said finally, his voice lower than usual. "Did you… sleep at all?"
She shook her head. "You?"
He gave a small, humorless smile. "Didn't really try."
Silence settled again. It wasn't awkward — it was heavy, like both of them were standing on the edge of the same thought, afraid to say it out loud.
Then Velithra took a small breath. "Did you… feel something last night?"
Kai's expression flickered — barely noticeable, but she saw it. His jaw tightened, and for a second, he looked almost afraid.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked past her, toward the courtyard where students laughed and shoved each other like the world was normal. Then, finally, his eyes came back to hers.
"I did," he said quietly. "And if I'm being honest… it scared me."
Velithra's chest tightened.Hearing him admit that made her feel less crazy — and somehow, even more terrified.
Before she could respond, the bell rang. Students started pouring into the halls, loud and careless. But the noise barely touched them.
Kai stepped closer, close enough that she could feel the faint warmth of his breath when he spoke. "Meet me after class," he said, his voice barely audible above the noise. "There's something I need to tell you."
Velithra nodded slowly, heart pounding.
As he walked away, blending into the crowd, she noticed his hand tremble — just slightly. Like whatever he was about to say wasn't something easy.
And for the rest of the day, she couldn't focus.Not on the lessons, not on the laughter around her.Just on the promise hanging between them.
The one that could change everything.