The hallways buzzed with energy the moment the first bell of the year rang. Voices overlapped, bouncing off the lockers and walls—friends sharing stories about winter break, laughter spilling over like the school itself had missed the noise. Some bragged about ski trips, their cheeks still faintly pink from mountain winds. Others gushed about family reunions, long dinners, and cousins they hadn't seen in years.
Eli, meanwhile, kept to the side of the corridor, his hands tucked into his pockets. His friends chatted easily around him, but his mind wasn't on their words. Instead, it drifted back again and again to the memory that refused to fade: standing under the cold night sky, fireworks blooming in colors above them, and Kai by his side. That moment replayed in his head like a song stuck on loop—one he didn't want to stop listening to.
Classes felt unusually long that day, as though time itself was dragging its feet. The lessons blurred together—chalk on the board, the hum of a heater, the scratch of pens—but none of it sank in. By the time the final bell rang, Eli's nerves were tangled tight inside him. He packed his bag slower than usual, his fingers fumbling over books and zippers, while sneaking glances at Kai across the room.
Kai was surrounded by their friends, laughing at some joke, his posture easy, his smile familiar. He didn't look any different. Yet to Eli, everything had changed. Or maybe it was just him. Maybe he was the one who couldn't go back to pretending nothing had shifted between them.
As they stepped out of the classroom, the late afternoon sun filtered in through the tall windows, casting a golden haze over the hallway. Kai caught his eye then, his voice casual but carrying something softer beneath it.
"Hey," he called. "Want to walk home?"
Eli's throat tightened. He nodded quickly, afraid his voice might betray him if he spoke.
The streets outside were quieter than usual, their classmates peeling away in pairs or small groups until one by one, they disappeared into different corners of the neighborhood. Soon, it was just the two of them, their footsteps clicking against the pavement. The air was crisp, tinged with the faint scent of woodsmoke from nearby houses.
They walked side by side, the distance between them barely there. Now and then, their arms brushed, and every time it happened Eli felt his chest clench. His mind kept circling back to that night—the fireworks, the unspoken closeness, the way Kai's presence had filled the silence without needing words.
Finally, they turned down a quieter street. The world hushed, leaving only their footsteps and the steady beat of Eli's heart hammering against his ribs. He gripped the strap of his bag tightly, trying to ground himself, before the words tumbled out.
"Kai…" His voice was small, but it carried.
Kai turned his head slightly, curious. "Hm?"
Eli swallowed, heat crawling up his neck. His heart pounded so loudly it drowned out his thoughts. "Are we… dating now?"
The words hung in the air like frost in winter, sharp and impossible to take back. The second they escaped, Eli's face burned. Regret shot through him—what if he'd ruined everything?
Kai blinked in surprise, then let out a soft chuckle. Not mocking. Not dismissive. Just warm. He slowed his pace, turning a little so Eli could see the faint smile tugging at his lips. "Do you want us to be?"
Eli froze, breath catching. His eyes dropped to the ground. "I… I don't know," he admitted honestly, voice trembling. "But I don't want what happened during exams—us being distant—again. I hated that. I don't… I don't like being away from you."
For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them. Then Kai's expression softened. Without hesitation, he reached out, his fingers brushing gently against Eli's hand. The touch was simple, tentative, but it sent a spark racing up Eli's arm.
"Then let's not be distant anymore," Kai said quietly. "Labels can wait if you need time. For me…" His smile deepened, shy but certain. "I already know what I want. And it's you."
Eli's chest tightened, his nerves melting into something warmer, almost dizzying. Relief and fear and joy all tangled together until he could hardly breathe. He couldn't form the words caught in his throat, so instead he gave a quick nod, biting back a laugh that slipped out anyway—flustered, helpless.
Kai didn't press further. He just walked beside him, their shoulders close, their hands brushing again and again like a rhythm they both understood but didn't need to name. The silence between them wasn't heavy anymore. It was warm. It was steady.
It felt like a promise—unspoken, but real.