The next morning didn't come with a dramatic shift.
No awkward silences.No sudden expectations.
Velithra realized that almost immediately—and the relief was quiet but immense.
She spotted Kai at school like she always did, leaning against the lockers, hands in his pockets. When he saw her, his expression softened in the same familiar way.
But this time, there was something new underneath it.
Recognition.
"Morning," he said, stepping closer.
"Morning," she replied, smiling.
They stood there for a moment, neither of them rushing to bring up what had happened. It felt unspoken—but not avoided.
"You sleep okay?" Kai asked.
Velithra nodded. "Yeah. You?"
"Better than usual," he admitted.
She smiled at that.
They walked to class together, shoulders brushing, the rhythm unchanged. In class, Kai slid his notebook toward her again, like always. Their hands touched briefly—and lingered just a second longer than before.
Not nervous.
Intentional.
At lunch, they sat side by side. No announcements. No explanations. Just easy conversation and shared glances that felt warmer now.
Velithra noticed something else too.
She wasn't replaying the kiss in her head over and over.
She wasn't questioning it.
It felt settled—like something that belonged.
After school, when they reached her gate, Kai stopped as usual.
"So," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "does yesterday change anything?"
Velithra thought about it honestly. "It doesn't change us," she said. "It just… adds to it."
He smiled, relieved. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
She reached out, fingers curling into his sleeve instead of his hand this time. "We can take things at our pace."
"Our pace," he echoed.
They stood there for a moment, close but calm.
When Kai leaned in this time, it wasn't to kiss her—just to rest his forehead against hers again, familiar and grounding.
"I like where we are," he said quietly.
Velithra closed her eyes. "Me too."
As she walked inside, she didn't feel swept away.
She felt steady.
And for Velithra, that might have been the most meaningful change of all.