~~~~~~♤~~~~~~
After that night… I couldn't shake the feeling.
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Something had changed.
Not just between me and Adrian.
But around us.
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The air felt different.
Heavier.
Like we weren't alone anymore… even when we were.
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"You've been quiet," Adrian said one night.
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We were standing in our usual place.
But nothing about it felt normal anymore.
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"I feel like something's wrong," I admitted.
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He didn't answer immediately.
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That alone told me everything.
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"You feel it too," I said.
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He looked away slightly.
Jaw tight.
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"Yes."
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My chest tightened.
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"What is it?" I asked.
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A pause.
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Then finally—
"They know about you."
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Silence.
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That one sentence didn't hit immediately.
But when it did…
it hit hard.
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"Who?" I asked.
Even though I already had a feeling.
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"The others," he said.
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My stomach dropped.
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The girl from before.
The ones behind him.
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"They've been watching," he continued.
"And now… they're interested."
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"In me?" I asked.
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"Yes."
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The way he said it made it worse.
Not dramatic.
Not exaggerated.
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Just real.
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"Why?" I whispered.
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He hesitated.
Then looked at me again.
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"Because of me."
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That answer didn't surprise me.
But it still scared me.
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"They think you're a weakness," he added.
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That one hurt.
More than I expected.
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"So what… I'm a problem now?" I asked.
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His expression changed immediately.
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"No," he said quickly.
"You're the only reason I'm still in control."
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That made my chest tighten again.
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"But that's exactly why they'll come for you," he continued.
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Silence.
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For a moment… everything felt too real.
Too serious.
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"What do we do?" I asked.
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That question stayed in the air.
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Then he answered.
Quietly.
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"You stay away from me."
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I let out a small breath.
Of course.
That answer again.
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"No," I said.
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His eyes snapped to mine.
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"This isn't something you can argue with," he said.
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"And this isn't something you can decide alone," I replied.
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Tension filled the space between us instantly.
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"You don't understand how dangerous they are," he said.
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"And you don't understand how stubborn I am," I replied.
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That almost made him smile.
Almost.
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But it didn't last.
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"They won't come like before," he said.
"This time… they won't warn us."
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A chill ran through me.
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But even with that…
I didn't step back.
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Instead, I moved closer.
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His body tensed immediately.
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"You're still coming closer?" he said.
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"Yes."
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"Even now?"
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"Yes."
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Silence.
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Then he let out a quiet breath.
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"You really don't know when to stop."
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I shook my head slightly.
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"Neither do you."
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That hit him.
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Because it was true.
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We were both still here.
Still standing.
Still choosing each other.
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Even when we knew it could destroy everything.
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And deep down…
I think that scared him more than the others ever could.