The night before the trip felt strangely quiet.
My room was a mess of open bags, folded clothes, and scattered snacks as I sat on the floor, trying to make sense of what to take and what to leave behind. The weather forecast said it would rain a lot in Kerala, so I packed carefully...raincoats, light jackets, a couple of hoodies, and of course, swimming clothes. If we were really going to the ocean, there was no way I was missing that… even if I didn't exactly like water.
Snacks went in next.
That part was important.
But no matter how much I tried to distract myself, my thoughts kept drifting back to those dreams.
That same dream.
Again.
And again.
I sighed and stood up, walking toward the window. The night sky stretched endlessly above, calm and dark, with faint stars scattered like forgotten memories.
And then-
a shooting star.
It cut across the sky in a single, fleeting moment.
Before I could even think-
"I want… one more chance…"
The words slipped out of my mouth on their own.
I froze.
One more chance…?
For what?
I didn't even know.
My phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence. I glanced at the screen.
Lian.
I picked up.
"Are you done packing? You didn't forget anything, right?" his voice came through immediately.
I leaned against the window frame, rolling my eyes slightly. "Yes, I'm done. And I'm not a kid, and you're not my mom… so is that really the first thing you wanted to ask?"
There was a pause.
When I looked at the screen again, I could almost imagine his expression...serious, slightly worried.
"Lu… are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly. "You've been acting different these past few days… I'm worried."
His tone made something inside me shift.
"…There's something I wanted to tell you," I said after a moment.
"Then say it," he replied immediately. "You know you can trust me. I'm a good listener."
I let out a small breath.
"It's about the dream I've been having," I said. "There's a guy… dressed in ancient Chinese clothes. He's lying on the grass, just… resting. Peaceful. Like nothing in the world matters to him."
I closed my eyes, the image forming clearly again.
"But then… it starts raining."
My grip on the phone tightened.
"Not water. Blood."
Silence.
"People start running toward him… they're wearing strange clothes, not modern. They're shouting, blaming another man standing beside him… and then they put a sword in that man's hand."
My voice dropped.
"And that's when I wake up."
There was a long pause on the other end.
"I thought it was just a random dream," I continued quietly. "You know… my dreams never really mean anything. But this one… it's the only thing I've been seeing all week."
I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the window.
"…It feels like it's trying to tell me something."
Lian didn't interrupt. He listened carefully, just like always.
"It could mean something," he said finally. "Dreams sometimes come from things we don't understand yet… or from something we're holding inside."
Then, after a short pause, he added lightly, "Or maybe you watched some ancient Chinese drama and forgot about it."
I huffed softly. "I didn't."
"Then don't overthink it," he said gently. "You'll drive yourself crazy. Just get some rest. We have a long flight tomorrow."
"…Yeah."
"Good night, Lu."
"Good night."
The call ended.
The room felt quiet again.
Too quiet.
I lay down on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm my thoughts. My eyes slowly grew heavy, and eventually, sleep pulled me in once more.
But the dream-
it came back.
The same field.
The same rain of blood.
But this time…
it was different.
I wasn't just watching.
I was there.
I was him.
I could feel the ground beneath me, the coldness of the rain, the weight of something pressing down on my chest. And in the distance, through the chaos of people and voices-
I saw a face.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
But before I could recognize it-
I woke up.
My heart was racing.
And for the first time…
I felt afraid of what that dream might actually mean.
---
**Extra: Character Details**
Alex is the kind of person people misunderstand at first glance. With his naturally blonde hair, sharp features, and tattoos that give him a rough, almost dangerous look, most assume he's trouble..and they're not wrong. But what they don't see is the reason behind it. He grew up in the US before moving to China to live with his grandparents after his parents divorced. Once disciplined, calm, and obedient, he believed in doing everything right… until life proved that it didn't always matter. That shift broke something in him, and he slowly turned into the reckless, rule-breaking version of himself we see now. Still, beneath that chaos is someone who cares deeply, even if he hides it behind jokes. He has no siblings, a messy love life with multiple breakups, and a strange talent for always competing with Lu for last place in exams.
Shaan feels like sunlight in human form. With his tan skin, black hair, and easy smile, he's the kind of person who naturally draws others in. Originally from India, he moved to China for better education and now balances his studies with part-time tutoring. Despite always ranking second academically, he never lets it get to his head. He's outgoing, warm, and known for helping others, often called an "angel" by those who rely on him. He has a younger sister whom he cares deeply about, and though it's never confirmed, there are whispers that he has a crush he's never confessed to.
Lian is the calm in the storm. With soft brown hair, striking blue eyes, and a quiet strength, he carries himself with a natural elegance. Coming from a well-known and traditional family, he lives under constant pressure, bound by expectations he never chose. His engagement, arranged by his parents, is just another part of that weight. Yet, despite everything, he always smiles, always listens, always supports others as if their pain matters more than his own. He is the one people turn to when they need comfort, even when he himself is struggling.
Zhan is… different. Cold, distant, and almost untouchable. With jet-black hair, piercing red eyes, and a sharp, sculpted appearance, he stands out effortlessly. He lives alone, comes from an unknown but wealthy background, and excels in everything he does, especially academics. Always first. Always perfect. People admire him, fear him, and he is mister popular. Rumors say he's in a relationship, but no one really knows the truth. And yet… despite that cold exterior, there are moments,rare, fleeting... where it feels like he sees only one person.
Lu.
And then there's Lu himself.
With his unique white and red hair and a small mole beneath his eye, he's someone people can't ignore, even if they try. He's not great at studies, often finding himself at the bottom of the class, but he has a natural talent for music, especially the flute. He grew up in a warm, loving family with parents who are both doctors and a younger brother he quietly cares for. He loves anime, dreams of becoming a writer, and often feels more than he understands. It's said he once loved someone before… and now, without fully realizing it, his heart leans toward Zhan.
And maybe…
that's where everything begins.