The day before Velithra left for her holiday felt strangely fragile.
Like if she stepped wrong, something might crack.
She sat in class twisting the cap of her pen, eyes drifting toward the window every few minutes. Outside, the sky was bright—too bright for how unsettled she felt. She hated endings, even temporary ones. They reminded her how easily things could disappear.
Kai noticed.
He always did.
"You've been quiet all morning," he said under his breath, not looking at her directly.
Velithra shrugged. "I'm thinking."
"About leaving?"
She paused. Then nodded.
Kai leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Yeah. Me too."
That surprised her. She turned toward him. "You are?"
He met her eyes this time. "I don't like unfinished things."
Her chest tightened. "This isn't unfinished."
Kai hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I know. I just… don't like not seeing you every day."
The honesty of it made her heart stumble.
Velithra looked down, fingers gripping her sleeve. "I'm scared things will feel different when I come back."
Kai shook his head immediately. "I won't let them."
She glanced up. "You can't promise that."
"I can promise my part," he corrected. "I'll still be here. Still walking beside you. Still—" He stopped himself, jaw tightening slightly.
"Still what?" Velithra asked quietly.
Kai swallowed. "Still caring."
The word hung between them.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
But heavy with meaning.
The bell rang before either of them could say more.
After school, they walked together like they always did. Same route. Same pace. But everything felt sharper, more intentional.
At the corner where they usually split, neither of them moved right away.
Velithra broke the silence first. "I don't want you to forget me."
Kai let out a soft, almost disbelieving breath. "Velithra… that's not possible."
She looked at him then—really looked. "How do you know?"
"Because," he said, stepping just a little closer, "you're already part of my days. And people like that don't fade."
Her heart pounded. "Kai…"
He stopped. Not because he wanted to—but because he was careful.
"I'm not going to rush this," he said quietly. "But I want you to know… I'm not going anywhere while you're gone."
Velithra felt warmth spread through her chest, steady and real.
"Okay," she said softly. "Then I won't either."
They stood there, close enough that the space between them felt intentional—charged, but safe.
Kai lifted his hand slowly, giving her time.
When his fingers brushed hers, Velithra didn't pull away.
They didn't hold hands.
Not yet.
But the contact lingered longer than necessary.
"I'll see you soon," she said.
Kai nodded, eyes steady. "I'll be waiting."
As Velithra walked away, she felt it clearly for the first time—not fear, not confusion.
Anticipation.