For the first time since I got here…
I didn't feel completely alone.
And somehow, that felt strange.
Not bad.
Just… unfamiliar.
Walking through the hallway with Tessa and Lila beside me felt easier than it should have.
Their voices filled the silence that had been following me since morning, turning something uncomfortable into something almost normal.
Almost.
"So," Lila said, glancing at me, "first impression of this place?"
I let out a small breath. "Confusing."
She laughed. "That's actually the most accurate answer anyone's given."
"It gets worse," Tessa added casually.
I shot her a look. "That's not reassuring."
"It's not supposed to be."
We turned a corner, and I noticed the way people still looked.
Not as much as before.
But enough.
Enough to remind me that I was still new.
Still… noticeable.
"I don't like how people stare," I muttered.
"They'll get used to you," Lila said.
"Or," Tessa added, "they won't."
I sighed. "You're really not helping."
"Lunch?" Lila asked suddenly.
"That soon?"
"You'd be surprised how fast time moves here."
Tessa glanced at me. "Unless you want to wander around alone again."
I paused for a second… then shook my head.
"No. I'm coming with you."
"Good choice," Lila said with a smile.
The cafeteria was bigger than I expected.
And louder.
Not messy loud.
Organized loud.
Like everyone knew exactly where they belonged.
Tables were already filled, groups sitting together like it was planned.
Nothing felt random here.
Not even the noise.
"This way," Tessa said, leading us toward a table that wasn't too crowded.
As I sat down, I noticed it again.
That section.
Near the windows.
Quieter.
Not empty.
Just… different.
"Don't stare," Tessa said without looking at me.
"I wasn't—"
"You were."
I looked away immediately.
"Sorry."
Lila laughed softly. "You're going to learn the hard way at this rate."
"I already feel like I am."
"Hey."
I turned.
And there he was.
The guy from class.
The one who didn't feel heavy to be around.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked.
"You're already halfway there," Tessa said.
He smiled slightly and pulled out a chair anyway.
"I'm Kai," he said, glancing at me.
"Mira."
"I know."
Of course he did.
Conversation came easier this time.
Lila talked.
Tessa added comments here and there.
Kai stayed relaxed, like nothing here affected him.
And somehow… that made it easier to breathe.
Easier to forget.
Even if it was just for a moment.
Until everything shifted.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't obvious.
But it changed.
Like the air tightened slightly.
Like something just… entered the room.
And then I saw him.
He walked in like nothing needed his attention.
Like everything else adjusted around him.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Just quiet control.
My chest tightened without warning.
"Don't stare," Tessa muttered again.
Too late.
He didn't look around.
Didn't acknowledge anyone.
But people noticed him anyway.
They always did.
And then—
For a second—
His eyes met mine.
It wasn't an accident.
Not this time.
It felt deliberate.
Like he recognized me.
Like I'd already crossed some invisible line.
I looked away quickly, my heart beating faster than it should have.
"Yeah…" Lila whispered. "You're definitely on his radar now."
"I didn't do anything," I said.
"That doesn't matter," Tessa replied.
I didn't like that answer.
Not at all.
"Relax," Kai said calmly beside me.
I glanced at him.
"He does that," he added.
"Does what?"
"Looks at people like they've already made a mistake."
I exhaled quietly.
That… sounded accurate.
I tried to focus on the table.
On the conversation.
On anything that wasn't him.
But it was hard.
Because even without looking…
I could feel it.
That presence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"Eat," Lila nudged me.
"I'm not hungry."
"You said that this morning too."
"I just don't like today," I muttered.
Kai smiled faintly. "That might be a problem."
"Why?"
"Because it looks like today likes you."
I frowned slightly.
"I don't think I want that."
"Yeah," he said quietly. "Most people don't."
I didn't look again.
Didn't want to.
But something told me
This wasn't over
Not even close.