Chapter 37: The Shadow Between Us
1362 Words
Akira's POV
Something had changed. I couldn't explain it, but I felt it. Ever since Camila told me that someone had been asking questions about me, every hallway felt different.
The school looked the same, the same noisy students, the same teachers rushing between classes, the same lockers slamming shut. But somehow, I felt like I was being watched again.
I kept checking behind me. Nothing. Every time I turned around, there was nobody there. Maybe I was becoming paranoid. Maybe that was exactly what whoever sent those messages wanted.
“Akira.” I jumped. Camila frowned.
“Sorry.”
“You really need to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Jumping every time someone calls your name.” I forced a smile. “I'm just tired.”
“You've been saying that all week.”
“Because I am tired.” She stared at me.
“You know you can tell me what's going on, right?” I nodded.
“I know.” But I couldn't tell her everything. Not when I didn't even understand what was happening myself. I had already told Kael too much. And even that terrified me. He had promised not to do anything, but I knew Kael.
He didn't know how to stay out of things. If someone hurt him because of me, I would never forgive myself. “Come on,” Camila said, pulling me toward class. I followed her.
But before I entered the classroom, I glanced down the hallway. For a split second, I thought I saw someone standing at the end.
A dark hoodie. My heart stopped. I blinked, the person was gone.
“Akira?” I quickly looked away.
“Coming.”
>>>>>>>>
By lunch, I was exhausted from pretending everything was fine. I sat quietly with Camila, picking at my food.
“You're not eating.”
“I'm not hungry.”
“You barely ate breakfast.”
“I'll eat later.” She sighed.
“You're impossible.” I smiled faintly.
“Kael says that too.” The moment his name left my mouth, I regretted it. Camila's eyes immediately lit up.
“Oh?”
“Don't.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You were about to.” She laughed.
“Okay, okay.” I lowered my head.
But I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on my lips. Kael has been acting differently lately. He still teased me, still called me Milky, still found little ways to annoy me. But there was something underneath it now.
Something warmer. Something I didn't know what to call.
“Akira.” I looked up.
Justin stood in front of our table.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” He glanced at Camila.
“Can I talk to Akira for a minute?” Camila looked at me. I nodded. She stood.
“I'll get something from the cafeteria.”
Justin took the seat opposite me.
“You okay?” I immediately knew where this was going.
“Yeah.”
“You're lying.” I sighed.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because you're not convincing.” I looked down at my food.
“I'm just tired.” Justin studied me.
“Is it because of Kael?”.My eyes snapped toward him.
“What?”
“You've been spending a lot of time around him.”
“He's just...” I stopped. I couldn't tell him.
“Just what?”
“Nothing.” He leaned back.
“You know, you can trust me.” I looked at him.
“I do.”
“Then tell me.” I shook my head.
“There's nothing to tell.” He smiled.
“Okay.” His response was surprisingly easy.
No pressure, no questions. That almost made me feel guilty.
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For understanding.” He shrugged.
“I'm your friend.”
Friend.
The word sounded nice, simple, safe.
I smiled.
“Yeah.”
He stood.
“I'll see you later.” As he walked away, I noticed something. His hand. There was a thin black bracelet around his wrist.
I stared at it. My heart skipped.
The bracelet looked familiar.
Very familiar. But before I could think about where I'd seen it, he disappeared into the crowd.
>>>>>>>>
Kael's POV
I hated secrets. Especially when they involved Milky. I had spent the entire morning trying to figure out who could be behind the threats.
Nothing, no name, no face, no useful information. Just questions. And that stupid photograph..I sat in the locker room after practice, staring at my phone.
Adrienne walked in.
“You're still thinking about it?”
“Yeah.”
“You need to let it go for a while.” I looked at him.
“Would you?” He sighed.
“No.”
“Exactly.” He sat beside me.
“I asked around again.”
“And?”
“Nothing.” I rubbed my face.
“Someone knows about her.”
“Maybe.”
“Not maybe.” I looked at him.
“They know where she lives.” Adrienne became quiet.
“They know about the tutoring.” He nodded slowly.
“And they know about me.” I clenched my jaw.
“This isn't random.”
“No.”
“Someone has a reason.” Adrienne stared at me.
“Do you think it's someone from school?”
“I'm sure of it.”
“Why?”
“Because they know too much.” He nodded.
“Then what are you going to do?” I stood.
“Find out.”
>>>>>>>>
Akira's POV
After school, I waited outside the gate for Mom. She had promised to pick me up today, I really missed those days when she normally picks me up after school.
I checked the time. She was late. I sighed and hugged my backpack closer.
The street was quieter than usual. A car passed, then another. I looked behind me, nothing. I took out my phone. No messages.
Good.
Maybe today would be normal.
“Akira.”
I turned.
Justin. He was standing a few feet away.
“You're still here?”
“Waiting for my mom.”
“Oh.” He glanced around.
“Want me to wait with you?”
“No, it's okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” He smiled.
“Alright.” He started walking away. I watched him go. Something about him felt strange today.
Not bad, Just… Different. Then I noticed the bracelet again. That black bracelet. The silver symbol. Where had I seen it? My mind went back.
Kael.
The gym.
The conversation.
Something flashed through my memory. But before I could remember, a car horn sounded. I jumped. Mom's car pulled up, I quickly got inside.
“You okay?” Mom asked.
“Yeah.” She looked at me.
“You seem distracted.”
“I'm fine.” She smiled.
“School?”
“Fine.” I looked through the window. Justin was gone.
>>>>>>>
Kael's POV
I had barely reached home when my phone buzzed. Unknown number. Again. I stared at the screen. For a moment, I considered ignoring it. Then another message appeared.
You are getting too close. My blood ran cold.
I typed:
Who are you? The typing bubble appeared, then it disappeared. Appeared again. My heart pounded. Finally, a message came through.
You really want to know?
I stared at it.
Yes.
Three dots appeared.
Then:
Look around you.
I frowned.
I looked toward the window, Nothing. Another message.
I'm closer than you think.
I walked toward the window, I pulled the curtain aside, the street was empty. Then my phone buzzed again.
A picture. I opened it. My stomach dropped. It wasn't a picture of Milky this time. It was a picture of me. Standing in my bedroom. Taken from outside my window. I slowly looked toward the glass. My breathing stopped. Someone had been watching my house.
And beneath the picture was one final message:
Stop looking for me, Kael. I stared at the words. Then another message appeared.
Or next time, I won't take a picture.
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