If there was one thing CJ hated more than losing—
It was not understanding what was happening.
And lately?
Nothing made sense.
---
"CJ."
No response.
"CJ."
Still nothing.
"CJ—"
"I can hear you," CJ muttered, eyes still fixed somewhere ahead.
Cy leaned closer, squinting at him. "Then why are you ignoring me?"
"I'm not ignoring you."
"You are."
"I'm thinking."
"You've been thinking a lot lately."
"Maybe I finally matured."
Cy stared at him.
"…No."
"Rude."
"Accurate."
CJ exhaled and finally looked at her. "What do you want?"
Cy rested her chin on her hand, studying him like he was some kind of experiment.
"I want to know what's going on with you."
"Nothing's going on."
"Something's going on."
"Nothing's going on."
"Something's—"
"Drop it."
The tone came out sharper than intended.
Cy blinked.
Just once.
Then leaned back slightly.
"…Okay."
But her eyes didn't leave him.
Because now—
She was sure.
Something was wrong.
---
Across the room—
Sebastian sat quieter than usual.
Not silent.
Just… less.
Less teasing.
Less comments.
Less him.
And it didn't go unnoticed.
"You're distracted."
Sebastian glanced up.
Ezekiel stood beside his desk.
"…Am I?"
"Yes."
"Didn't think it was that obvious."
"It is."
Sebastian exhaled quietly. "Guess I'm losing my touch."
Ezekiel didn't respond to that.
Instead, he glanced toward CJ.
Then back at Sebastian.
"…Same problem?"
Sebastian frowned slightly. "What?"
Ezekiel didn't elaborate.
He didn't need to.
Because Sebastian followed his gaze.
Straight to CJ.
And for a moment—
Their eyes met again.
That same pause.
That same strange pull.
Like something was connecting—
Without permission.
Sebastian looked away first this time.
"…I don't know what you mean," he said.
Ezekiel didn't argue.
He just nodded slightly.
"…Right."
---
Lunch came again.
Same table.
Same people.
But the air?
Heavier.
Quieter.
"Okay," Cy said suddenly, slamming her tray down. "I can't take this anymore."
CJ sighed. "Now what?"
"You two are being weird."
"We've established that," CJ said.
"No," she shook her head. "This is advanced weird."
Sebastian leaned back. "Define advanced."
"You're both quiet."
"That's normal," CJ said.
"No, it's not. You're never quiet."
"I can be."
"You're not."
"I am."
"You're not."
"I am—"
"STOP."
Both paused.
Cy pointed between them again.
"And you keep doing that."
"…Doing what?" Sebastian asked.
"That thing," she said.
"What thing?"
"The looking thing."
"There's no looking thing," CJ said.
"There is."
"There isn't."
"There is."
"There isn't."
"There—"
"Cy."
She stopped.
Ezekiel spoke calmly. "…They're not going to admit it."
Cy slowly turned to him.
"…So it's real?"
"Yes."
CJ dropped his spoon. "Can we not—"
"No," Cy said immediately. "We absolutely can."
Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck. "…This is unnecessary."
"No, this is important," Cy corrected.
"It's not."
"It is."
"It's not."
"It is—"
"Enough," CJ muttered.
Silence.
For a moment.
Then—
"Fine," Cy said. "I'll prove it."
CJ narrowed his eyes. "Prove what?"
"That something is going on."
"Nothing is going on."
"Then you won't mind if I test it."
"…Test what?"
Cy suddenly stood up.
"Cy—"
Too late.
She walked around the table—
And grabbed Sebastian's arm.
"Sit still," she said.
"…What are you doing?" Sebastian asked.
"You'll see."
CJ frowned. "Cy, don't—"
She pulled Sebastian slightly closer to her.
Not too much.
But enough.
Close.
Close enough.
Then—
She looked straight at CJ.
"…Well?"
CJ froze.
For a second—
Just a second—
Something in his chest twisted.
Sharp.
Unexpected.
"…What is this?" he said flatly.
"A test."
"For what?"
"For your reaction."
"I don't have a reaction."
"You do."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't—"
"Then why do you look annoyed?"
"I always look annoyed."
"Not like this."
CJ clenched his jaw slightly.
"…You're being stupid."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you staring?"
"I'm not staring."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Sebastian spoke quietly. "…You are."
CJ's gaze snapped to him.
"…You're not helping."
"I'm not trying to."
Cy grinned.
"…Interesting."
CJ looked away abruptly. "This is pointless."
Cy let go of Sebastian.
"Test confirmed."
"There was no test," CJ muttered.
"There was."
"There wasn't."
"There was."
"There wasn't—"
"Relax," Sebastian said lightly.
CJ frowned. "I am relaxed."
"You don't look relaxed."
"I am."
"You're not."
"I am."
"You're not."
"I am—"
"Why are you repeating yourself?" Cy asked.
"Because you're annoying."
"Deflection."
"It's not deflection."
"It is."
"It's not."
"It is—"
"Drop it," CJ said again.
And this time—
They did.
But not because they wanted to.
Because something had shifted.
Something subtle.
Something real.
---
That night—
The dreams came back again.
But this time—
They didn't feel separate.
They felt connected.
---
CJ.
He opened his eyes—
And he was already there.
No confusion.
No delay.
Just—
Him.
And the presence.
"You came back."
"I always do."
The voice—
Clearer.
Closer.
CJ stepped forward immediately.
"…You're clearer."
"…So are you."
The space between them felt smaller now.
Easier to cross.
CJ didn't hesitate.
Didn't question.
He moved closer—
And this time—
He almost saw him.
Almost.
"…Who are you?" CJ asked again.
A pause.
Then—
"…Say my name."
CJ frowned. "I don't know it."
"…You do."
"I don't."
"…Try."
Silence.
CJ stared at him.
Focused.
Trying.
Something in his chest stirred.
Something familiar.
Something close—
"…Se—"
The world shook.
The dream glitched.
"No—wait—"
"…Not yet," the voice said softly.
CJ reached out—
But the figure stepped back.
"…Next time."
Darkness.
---
Sebastian.
He was already there too.
Same place.
Same presence.
But closer.
Closer than before.
"…You again," he said.
"…You're getting faster."
Sebastian frowned. "What does that mean?"
"…You're remembering."
"I'm not."
"…You are."
Sebastian stepped forward.
Closing the gap.
"…Then tell me."
A pause.
Then—
"…Come closer."
Sebastian didn't hesitate.
He moved forward—
And this time—
Their distance disappeared completely.
The air shifted.
Warmer.
Familiar.
Sebastian's breath slowed slightly.
"…Why does this feel like I've done this before?"
"…Because you have."
Silence.
"…With you?"
A soft answer.
"…With me."
Sebastian's chest tightened.
"…Who are you?"
The figure lifted his hand—
Almost touching his face—
Almost—
"…Say it."
"I don't know it."
"…You do."
"I don't."
"…Try."
Sebastian frowned.
Focused.
Trying.
Something surfaced—
Faint.
Broken.
"…C—"
The world shattered.
"No—"
"…Next time."
Darkness.
---
Morning came.
Again.
Same classroom.
Same people.
But this time—
Something was different.
CJ walked in first.
Sebastian followed.
They stopped.
Looked at each other.
And this time—
They both said it.
"…You too?"
Silence.
Then—
"…Yeah," Sebastian admitted.
CJ exhaled slowly.
"…This is getting annoying."
"…Yeah," Sebastian agreed.
But neither of them looked away.
Not immediately.
Because now—
They both knew.
It wasn't just a dream.
And whatever it was—
It was getting closer.