Normal was dangerous.
Aira realized that on a Thursday morning when she reached the school gate and immediately looked for Reyhan—without thinking about it.
He wasn't there yet.
Her chest tightened just a little.
That's new, she thought.
She leaned against the wall, scrolling aimlessly, pretending she wasn't waiting.
When Reyhan finally appeared, slightly out of breath, hair messier than usual, her shoulders relaxed automatically.
That reaction scared her more than his absence had.
"Sorry," he said lightly. "Bus was late."
"It's fine," Aira replied too quickly.
Too easily.
They walked in together, steps syncing without effort.
At lunch, he slid her favorite dessert toward her without comment.
She accepted it without surprise.
Later, in class, she leaned toward him instinctively when the AC blew too cold.
He noticed. Adjusted his seat slightly.
None of it was dramatic.
That was the problem.
After school, Aira stopped walking near the old tree.
Reyhan noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She hesitated.
Then said,
"I think you're becoming my default."
Reyhan blinked. "Your what?"
"My normal," she clarified.
"The first person I look for. The one I adjust around without noticing."
He didn't joke.
Didn't deflect.
"That scares you," he said.
"Yes," Aira admitted.
"Because if you become my normal, then losing you becomes… destabilizing."
Reyhan leaned against the tree, thoughtful.
"I don't want to replace your world," he said.
"I want to fit into it."
She smiled faintly. "Exactly."
They stood there quietly.
"I don't want us to stop being us," Aira continued.
"I don't want to forget how to exist without you."
Reyhan nodded slowly.
"Then don't."
She looked at him. "You're not offended?"
"No," he replied.
"I'm relieved you caught it early."
That honesty settled her nerves.
"I want you," Aira said carefully.
"But I also want myself."
Reyhan smiled—warm, understanding.
"That's the healthiest sentence you've said all week."
She laughed softly.
They started walking again.
This time, Aira slowed her steps deliberately.
Let the space exist.
Reyhan matched her—not automatically, but consciously.
They didn't cling.
Didn't detach.
They chose balance.
And that choice felt stronger than habit ever could.
RULE #47: Don't let him be your normal.
Because love shouldn't replace your world—
it should walk beside it.