The rest of the day passed faster than Velithra expected.
Not because it was exciting—but because her thoughts kept circling back to Kai. To the way he'd asked if she wanted him to stop. To the fact that she'd said no without overthinking it.
That alone scared her a little.
When the final bell rang, students rushed out like they always did. Velithra packed her bag slowly, nerves curling in her stomach—not bad nerves, just unfamiliar ones.
Kai waited.
He didn't rush her.Didn't stand too close.Didn't leave.
"You heading home?" he asked when she finally stood.
Velithra nodded. "Yeah."
"Same," he said. "We can walk together. If that's okay."
She hesitated for half a second—then nodded again. "Okay."
Outside, the air was cooler. The sky was cloudy, gray but calm. They walked side by side, not touching, but close enough that Velithra could feel Kai's warmth beside her.
After a few minutes, Kai spoke again.
"Can I ask you something kind of… awkward?"
Velithra glanced at him. "That depends on the question."
He huffed a quiet laugh. "Fair."
Then his tone shifted—careful, honest.
"When I'm around you… am I ever too much?"
Velithra stopped walking.
Kai noticed immediately and stopped too, turning toward her fully.
"I don't mean—" he started, then paused. "I just want to know. I don't want to cross lines you don't know how to draw yet."
Velithra's throat tightened.
"No one had ever asked her that before."
She searched for the right words. "You're not too much," she said slowly. "But sometimes… it feels intense. In a way I'm not used to."
Kai nodded immediately. "Okay."
Just like that. No argument. No defensiveness.
"But," Velithra added quietly, "I don't want it to stop. I just… need time to understand what I'm feeling."
Kai's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Then we'll take time," he said. "As much as you need."
She studied his face, trying to see if he meant it.
He did.
Velithra exhaled. "Thank you."
They started walking again.
This time, Kai let their hands brush once—accidentally on purpose. When Velithra didn't pull away, he didn't either.
Not holding.Just touching.
Testing the edges.
Learning them together.
When they reached the corner where they usually split, Velithra slowed.
"I don't hate this," she said suddenly.
Kai tilted his head. "This?"
"Us," she clarified. "Whatever this is."
Kai smiled—small, real, restrained.
"Me neither."
They stood there for a moment longer than necessary.
Then Velithra turned toward her street.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
Kai nodded. "I'll be here."
As she walked away, Velithra felt something unfamiliar settle in her chest—not fear.
Trust.
And behind her, Kai watched until she disappeared from view, his expression thoughtful, protective, and quietly hopeful.