The shift was subtle at first.
Kai started staying later after school.
Not every day. Just enough for Velithra to notice.
Basketball practice had picked up again—regionals were coming up, and the coach wasn't known for going easy. Kai mentioned it casually, like it wasn't a big deal.
"It's just for a few weeks," he said one afternoon, adjusting the strap of his bag. "We're pushing harder now."
Velithra nodded. "That's good, right?"
"Yeah," he smiled. "It is."
And it was.
But it also meant their usual walks home grew shorter. Some days, they barely had ten minutes together before Kai had to head back to the gym.
Velithra told herself she was fine with it.
She was fine with it.
Still… she felt the absence.
One evening, she waited by her gate out of habit before remembering he wasn't walking her home that day.
She stood there for a moment, hands tucked into her sleeves, then went inside.
The next day at school, Kai found her by her locker.
"You left quick yesterday," he said gently.
Velithra hesitated. "I didn't think you'd be free."
"I could've texted," he admitted. "I just got caught up."
She nodded. "I know."
He studied her expression. "You're quiet."
She exhaled softly. "I'm just adjusting."
"To what?" he asked.
"To not having you around as much," she said honestly.
The words weren't accusatory.
Just real.
Kai's shoulders softened. "I didn't realize it felt that way."
"It's not your fault," she said quickly. "I don't want you to give up something important."
"I'm not," he replied. "But I also don't want you feeling like you're on the sidelines."
Velithra looked at him then. "I'm not. I just… miss our time."
The honesty hung between them.
Kai reached for her hand. "Then we'll make it intentional."
"How?" she asked.
"I'll walk you home on the days I can. And on the days I can't, we pick a time. A call. Even if it's short."
Velithra searched his face. He wasn't offering it out of guilt.
He meant it.
"You don't have to overcompensate," she said softly.
"I'm not," he replied. "I just don't want distance to grow where it doesn't need to."
That settled something inside her.
Later that evening, her phone buzzed.
Kai:Made it home. Practice was brutal. How was your day?
Velithra smiled at the screen.
Maybe things were changing.
But they weren't drifting.
And that made all the difference.