Chapter 11 — Almost
409 Words
Mia
After everything Kai told me, I couldn’t look at him the same way.
Not because I saw him differently.
Because I saw him more clearly.
The coldness.
The distance.
The way he pushed people away.
It wasn’t because he didn’t care.
It was because he cared too much.
And that was somehow worse.
───
Training for the final tournament became intense.
Everyone was focused.
Everyone wanted the win.
But something between Kai and me had changed.
Small things.
The way he waited for me after practice.
The way he corrected my stance without insulting me.
The way he trusted me.
───
“You’re distracted.”
I looked at him.
“You always say that.”
“Because you always are.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You’re annoying.”
“I know.”
I smiled.
“You’re proud of that.”
“Yes.”
I laughed.
And for a moment…
everything felt easy.
───
Until I noticed blood.
“Kai.”
He froze.
“What?”
“Your hand.”
He looked down.
A small cut.
“It’s nothing.”
I stared.
“Your favourite phrase.”
He almost smiled.
I took his hand.
And he froze.
Completely.
The world seemed to stop.
Because Kai Nakamura…
the boy who never reacted to anything…
was suddenly silent.
───
“You’re hurt.”
His eyes stayed on me.
“You noticed.”
I looked up.
“Of course I did.”
The words came out naturally.
And something in his expression changed.
“You always notice me.”
I swallowed.
“You always notice me too.”
Silence.
A dangerous kind.
───
Neither of us moved.
We were too close.
Close enough that I could hear his breathing.
Close enough that I could see every emotion he tried to hide.
“Mia…”
My heart raced.
“Yes?”
His hand moved slightly.
Like he wanted to touch me.
But he stopped.
“You should hate me.”
The words confused me.
“What?”
“I’m the reason your life became complicated.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
His eyes searched mine.
“Why not?”
Because you make me feel safe.
Because you understand me.
Because I don’t want to walk away.
But I couldn’t say it.
Not yet.
───
Then voices came from outside.
We jumped apart.
The moment disappeared.
But the feeling stayed.
Because we both knew.
Something almost happened.
End of Chapter 11
- Writer
