The rest of the day passed with a strange kind of tension—like something important had shifted, and everyone could feel it, even if no one said it out loud.
Velithra stayed.
She stayed in class.She stayed in her seat.She stayed beside Kai.
And every time she felt the old urge to shrink, she reminded herself of what he'd said.
You're still standing. That matters.
In their last class, the teacher dimmed the lights for a presentation. The room softened, shadows stretching across the walls. Velithra felt herself relax just a little.
Kai leaned back in his chair, then tilted his head toward her."You doing okay now?" he whispered.
She nodded. "Yeah. I think… I'm learning."
"Learning what?"
"How to not leave myself behind."
Kai looked at her—not surprised. Almost proud.
"That's a good thing to learn," he said quietly.
Their hands rested on the desk between them—not touching, but close enough that Velithra was aware of the space. The warmth. The choice.
After a moment, she shifted her fingers slightly.
Just enough.
Kai noticed—but he didn't rush. He didn't grab her hand. He just moved his fingers closer, giving her time.
Velithra let her pinky brush his.
The contact was small. Barely there.
But her heart reacted like it was something huge.
Kai exhaled softly, like he'd been holding his breath.
When the final bell rang, the room exploded into motion. Velithra gathered her things slowly, feeling calmer than she had all day.
Outside the classroom, Kai waited for her again.
"You don't have to walk with me every time," she said, unsure why she felt the need to say it.
Kai met her eyes. "I know."
She hesitated. "I just… want to make sure you're not doing this because you feel like you should."
"I'm not," he said immediately. "I'm doing it because I want to."
That answer settled something deep in her chest.
They walked toward the exit together. The air outside was cooler now, the sky streaked with pale evening light.
At the gate, Velithra stopped.
"Kai?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you… for not trying to save me."
He looked confused. "I'm not trying to."
"I know," she said softly. "That's why it matters."
Kai's expression softened, something unguarded slipping through.
"I'm just walking beside you," he said. "You're the one doing the hard part."
Velithra smiled—small, real, and just for him.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
Kai nodded. "I'll be here."
As she walked away, Velithra didn't look back this time.
Not because she was afraid.
But because she knew—
he wasn't going anywhere.