Eli thought he could keep dodging Kai. Short answers, quick exits, sitting farther away during breaks—it should've worked. He thought his friends hadn't noticed either, but even Mina and Jace had exchanged worried glances during lunch, whispering about how "off" things felt between them.
But Kai wasn't the type to let things slide forever.
After school, while Eli was shoving notebooks into his bag, Kai appeared at his desk. His shadow fell across Eli's papers, unshakable.
"…What's going on with you?" Kai asked quietly.
Eli froze. "…Nothing."
"Don't lie." Kai's tone was steady, but sharper than Eli was used to. "You've been avoiding me since Valentine's. Did I… do something wrong ?"
Eli's hands tightened on his bag strap. He kept his gaze low, afraid his face would betray him. "…I just needed space."
"Space? Or distance?"
The words struck harder than Eli expected. He pushed his chair back, standing abruptly. "You wouldn't understand."
Kai moved closer, blocking his way. His eyes locked onto Eli's, demanding answers. "Then make me understand. Because right now, it feels like you're punishing me for something I don't even know I did."
Eli's chest twisted, his throat tightening. And then the words tore out of him before he could stop them. "Then who is he?"
Kai blinked. "…What?"
"That name!" Eli's voice cracked, too loud. A few classmates by the back door turned their heads. Embarrassed, he lowered his tone, but his voice shook. "Elija. You said it… like it mattered more than anything. Like he's someone important."
For once, Kai's calm expression faltered. His eyes darkened with something heavy, unreadable.
Eli's vision blurred, heat building in his chest. His eyes burned before he even realized tears had gathered. "Tell me the truth, Kai," he whispered, his voice trembling as tears slid down his cheeks. "Who is he? Because every time I think about it, it feels like I don't even know you anymore."
He shook his head, trying to step aside. "Forget it. You don't have to explain."
But Kai's hand shot out, gripping his wrist firmly. "Eli…" His voice had lost its sharpness, now quiet and fragile. "You don't know what that name means to me."
Eli froze, heart hammering.
"That name… Elija. It wasn't a mistake. It's your name. From before."
Eli frowned, tugging against his hold. "…What are you talking about?"
Kai swallowed. "Our past life. I remembered it—you. That's why I couldn't stay away from you since the first day. I've been waiting for you to remember me too."
Eli stared at him, stunned. For a moment, he almost wavered—until a memory surfaced.
Middle school. Trusting a friend with his strange recurring dream. The laughter, the mockery, the word "crazy" thrown at him. The humiliation. From then on, he swore he'd never believe in past lives or dreams again, no matter how real they felt.
Now Kai was saying the same thing.
Eli's chest ached, but a bitter laugh escaped. "Past life? Seriously? Kai, it's the twenty-first century. You expect me to believe that?"
"I know how it sounds—"
"No, you don't!" Eli snapped, pulling his wrist free. His tears were fresh again, spilling faster now. "You're saying this fantasy stuff just to cover up who Elija really is? That's the best excuse you've got?"
Kai's jaw tightened, his calm shattering. "See? This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you yet. Because you wouldn't believe me."
"How could I?" Eli's voice cracked, raw. "You're making it sound like everything between us is built on some dream I don't even remember!"
Kai's fists clenched. His voice trembled, breaking past his usual composure. "Because it is real. I loved you then, and I love you now. That hasn't changed."
Eli's breath hitched. His chest hurt so much it was hard to breathe. He shook his head, stepping back. "Kai… I think… we need a break. Just for a while."
The silence was suffocating.
Kai's lips parted as if to argue, but no words came. His eyes softened with something almost broken. "…If that's what you want."
Eli turned quickly, footsteps echoing down the hallway, tears still streaking his face.
Kai stood frozen, staring at the space Eli had just been, his chest burning with a familiar ache.
And softly, into the emptiness, he whispered, "…I'll wait. Even if it takes forever."