It was a new day, the kind that stretches out with promise and quiet. My morning was unusually calm—no rushed alarms, no classes until the afternoon, just time. Time to breathe, to catch up on readings I'd been ignoring, and to let my thought drift back to the kiss that still lingered on the lips like a fading melody. The memory of it made the hours feel softer.
By the time the clock crept toward three, I was ready for my only class of the day—Axial skeleton. The name alone sounded like a punishment, but Nova who I bumped into just outside the science building, made it bearable
"There you are" she said, falling into step beside me with a half—smile. "You look suspiciously calm. Did you sleep through the apocalypse or something?"
I laughed. "No apocalypse. Just. Peace, I guess."
She eyed me curiously but let it go. We walked in sync, chatting lightly as we made our way to class, and I was grateful for the ease between us. Until we rounded the hallway and I saw the time—3:05.
"Crap" I muttered. "We're Kate in
Nova groaned. "Nomi's going to kill us.
We slipped into the lecture room as quiet as possible. The professor didn't look up, already deep in a rant about vertebrae, but several heads turned as we scurried to find seats.
Nomi was already there, of course, her notes perfectly arranged, her pen poised like a weapon of academic destruction. She gave us a single eyebrow raise—half warning, half amusement.
I flashed her an apologetic smile, mouthing, sorry, as I ducked into the row behind her.
And that's when I saw her.
Soshan.
Sitting right there beside Nomi.
For a second, the world went still. My heart thudded so hard I could feel it in my ears. She looked different Somehow—maybe it was the harsh classroom lighting, or the fact that I hadn't expected to see her here, in this place that belonged to the regular rhythm of my school life. But there she was—crossed legs, composed expression, her gaze flicking briefly to mine like a quiet spark.
I froze.
She gave me a polite nod. Nothing more. Not the warmth of our messages. Not the softness of that night just a nod.
I sat down quickly, trying to focus on the lecture but my mind was already racing. How was she here? Why hadn't mentioned this class?
The fact that she didn't even smile kept looping in my mind.
Not a smirk not a raised brow—not even a quiet flash of recognition. Just that nod. That formal impersonal nod you give to someone you vaguely know from somewhere else. It was like she'd deleted me in her memory.
I stared down on my notebook, the page still blank, and gripped my pen like it might anchor me. But my mind wasn't in the room. It was on that night. The laugh she let slip when I mispronounced the name of her favorite movie director. The way her fingers had brushed mine across the table, slow and curious. And the kiss. That soft uncertain kiss that felt like butterflies in my stomach and warmth spilling through my chest. That kiss that had followed me into my dreams
Had I imagined it?
I risked another glance at her. She was scribbling something in her notebook, occasionally whispering to Nomi, who leaned in slightly but didn't smile either. Everything felt coordinated. Controlled. Like I was the only one still caught in a moment that had passed for everyone else.