The sun broke through the darkness, soft and golden, and kissed his green eyes-eyes that shimmered with warmth.
His skin glowed like mine, like sunlight brushing over copper. Everything felt bright. Peaceful. Beautiful.
I wondered... what would his skin look like with a tan? What would mine?
Would I finally match the strength of my name-Tafukt-and understand its beauty?
Or would I still be a stranger to myself? A girl I don't recognize in the mirror.
I've always felt out of place. Different. Like I'm watching the world from a distance, never really in it.
In moments of fear or chaos, I disconnect-my mind floats, my body moves on its own. I become calm, like snow surrendering to the wind, not fighting, just falling.
Maybe that's why I've always been drawn to the sea. It's wild like me-hot sands, raging waves, beautiful chaos.
When you try to swim against the tide, it fights you. Wears you out. Pulls you under.
As if it's calling you.
"Stop fighting," it whispers. "Let go."
And when you finally surrender, it lifts you. The cold blue water raises you to the warm blue sky. The sky kisses your skin. The water wraps around you like an embrace.
All the weight melts away. The thoughts, the noise, the pressure-it's gone.
"Give up," it says.
And when you do, the ocean claims your mind and cradles your soul.
"Steady your breath. Relax. Now open your eyes."
And when you do-
You see beauty. Real beauty.
Another world, full of strange colors and shapes.
"Open your eyes."
Dolphins. Mermaids. Light dancing underwater.
"Open your eyes," the voice calls again.
But... my eyes are open.
I see.
"Tat!"
Someone's calling from deep below.
I try to follow but It's fading.
"Tat, wake up!"
"I am awake."
Then the voice is gone.
"Where are you?" I whispered.
I felt like I'd lost someone-someone important. Someone I loved.
"Tat?"
Dreck's voice snapped me back.
Suddenly, I was staring into the dark barrel of a gun.
His face was tense.
Why was he the one who looked worried? He's the one pointing a gun at me.
For what? Knowing a secret I don't even understand?
Was that all a dream?
Or... was someone inside my head, calling out for help?
"You zoned out again," Dreck said quietly as he stood up.
"Why do you care, you-"
My head was pounding, a sharp pain slicing through my thoughts.
"I didn't leave you," Dreck said, staring into my eyes like he was searching for something. "If that's what you were about to say. I had to-"
"To disappear? To ghost me like I was nothing? To vanish and leave everyone wondering if you were dead or just done with us?"
He looked away.
"I fought for you, Dreck. I defended you when people said you lost it. I told them you'd come back. But you didn't. And when you finally did... you came back with secrets, shadows, and a damn gun in your hand."
" Would you come and talk if I asked you nicely?"
Silence.
"You want to tell me what happened?" I asked, voice trembling with fury. "Because I'm done guessing."
He didn't answer. Just kept staring like I was the one who disappeared.
"You left without a goodbye. Without a reason. And now you want what-closure? Forgiveness? You think you can pin me to a wall and pretend like nothing happened?"
His lips parted like he wanted to explain. But nothing came. Just silence.
"Oh, give me a break."
I shot to my feet, trying to get out of the changing room.
But Dreck was faster. He shoved me against the wall, his chest pressed to my back.
"Get off me, Dreck," I said, voice steady.
"Finally," he whispered. "You said my name."
I twisted, staring him down.
"Last chance. Get. Off. Me."
"Or what?" He leaned in.
I kneed him hard. As he doubled over, I punched the side of his neck and ran.
Ran until my lungs burned. Through the field, through the silence.
I looked back-and slammed into something solid. I tumbled to the grass.
"You okay?"
Another guy. Great.
Why am I slamming on people today.
"My nose hurts," I groaned, blinking up at him.
He was... stunning.
Tall, athletic. His skin a warm olive tone. Short, neat dark hair. Eyes like golden hazel fire.
"You need a hand?" he asked. His voice calm. Grounded.
"Yes-sorry," I stammered, reaching for his hand. He pulled me up with ease, his grip confident.
Was I dreaming again?
"I'm Tat," I said, holding out my hand.
He stared-not rudely, just curiously. His eyes lingered on my hand... then my face.
"Is something on my face?" I snapped, pulling my hand-and my dignity-back.
"You just look familiar," he said softly, then walked away.
Weirdo.
I headed to the nurse, using my bruised nose as an excuse to skip class.
Thankfully, it wasn't broken. She gave me a note to miss second period too and rest in the nurse's room.
I lay there in silence.
My best friend-or ex-best friend-just tried to kill me.
I met some mysterious guy who wouldn't even shake my hand.
And somehow... it all felt normal.
What's wrong with me?
I was lost in thought when the bell rang for first break. I stepped outside and spotted a tall, fair-skinned girl with red hair and freckles -Emmi hurrying toward me-with Taylor by her side.
"What happened?!" Emmi asked.
What can I say?
If I tell her Dreck tried to shoot me, he'll go to jail.
And my parents-God help me-they'll cancel the Egypt trip next summer.
I have to see the pyramids.
"I tried to climb a tree... and fell," I mumbled.
"Why?" Emmi and Taylor said in sync.
"Well, look at you two rhyming already," I teased, bumping their shoulders.
Emmi turned red. Taylor just watched me, expression unreadable.
"So, Taylor," I said, awkwardly laughing, "summer looks like it did you good."
"My dad enrolled me in army camp. It was good for me physically... but mentally, I need a diary."
We all laughed. I couldn't believe it-Taylor joked, and I actually laughed.
"What do you mean? Was it really that bad?" Emmi asked as we headed to the cafeteria.
"They dragged me out of bed at 5 AM, shoved me into a van, dumped me in freezing water, and made me do pushups. That was just day one."
We went quiet.
Finally, I said, "I'm sorry that happened to you."
And suddenly, I loved my parents more than ever.
At the cafeteria, I grabbed a snack and sat at a table with them.
"Don't be sorry," Taylor said. "I needed it. I used to be awkward and weak."
I looked at him for a moment. He was different. Sharper. Harder. Like someone who'd walked through fire and made it out-scarred but standing.
I lowered my voice. "Weren't you... in rehab?"
He paused, a flicker of something crossing his face-guilt? Pain? And I could swear something shined in his eyes for a sec.
"Sort of," he said finally. "It was a military-run recovery camp. My dad said it was for discipline. But yeah... I wasn't okay for a while. Pills. Mostly. Stuff to sleep. Stuff to feel nothing. I guess I needed to be broken to start rebuilding."
I didn't know what to say. So I didn't. I just nodded.
He looked at me, and his voice softened again. "But I'm okay now. Or... trying to be."
And for the first time, I believed him.
" Remember when you were chewing your-" Emmi started, before Adam cut in.
"Well, well. Are we not invited to the reunion? I've got plenty of memories with Tafukt too."
He dragged my name out with a smirk.
"What do you want?" I asked sharply.
Then I saw him.
Dreck, with the gun in his hand. Right next to him.
"What... you look like you've seen a ghost" he looked at dreck. "Ow yeah , say hi to my new friend. And don't worry about the gun, it's a toy" Adam said.
Dreck smiled. A wide evil smile. He pressed the trigger and water launched into the air.
The cafeteria erupted into chaos-shouts, laughter, the clatter of trays hitting the floor-but all I heard was the roar of my own pulse in my ears. Dreck stood there, water gun dangling from his fingers, his smirk sharp enough to cut glass.
"A joke?" My voice was a whisper, but it silenced the room. "You point a gun at me, after everything, and it's a joke?"
Dreck's grin faltered. He took a step forward, but I didn't retreat. The air between us crackled, thick with unsaid words.
"You're right," he said, voice low. "It wasn't funny." He tossed the toy aside, and it skidded across the tiles, landing at Adam's feet. "But neither is pretending you don't know why I'm here."
"Enlighten me." I crossed my arms, nails digging into my skin.
The room held its breath. Even Adam stayed quiet.
Dreck's gaze flickered to the others-Emmi, Taylor, the crowd of gawking students-before settling back on me. "Not here."
"Then nowhere." I turned to leave.
His hand shot out, catching my wrist. Not hard, but enough to freeze me in place. His touch was warm. Familiar. A ghost of the boy who'd once carried my secrets like they were sacred.
"You saw something," he murmured, so quiet only I could hear. "In the water. In your head. Didn't you?"
My breath hitched. The voice. The ocean. The feeling of losing someone. How.. How did he know?
I yanked my arm free. "H..H..How?."
For the first time, his mask slipped-just a flash of desperation. "Tat, please. If you're seeing it too, then we-"
"We what?" I laughed, bitter. "We're a team again? After you vanished? After you came back with a gun in your hand?"
His jaw tightened. "I didn't have a choice."
"There's always a choice."
The bell rang, shrill and final. The crowd dispersed, muttering, but neither of us moved.
Dreck exhaled, shoulders slumping. "You'll understand soon."
"I am done understanding Dreck"
He didn't answer. Just turned and walked away, leaving me standing there-heart pounding, fists clenched, and the unshakable sense that the world was about to split open beneath my feet.
Emmi touched my shoulder. "What was that?"
I stared at the empty doorway. "I don't know," I lied.
But the truth was, I did know.
Something was calling.
Someone.