The things we almost were

The longer I looked at him, the more something inside me started to burn. His face didn't match what I knew he'd done.

He had that calm, harmless look with soft features, eyes that could've belonged to anyone but a killer. And yet, he'd taken a life.

My fists curled tight, nails biting into my palms, the sound of my own breathing filling the silence between us. Before I could stop myself, my arm moved. a single, hard punch landing square on his jaw.

The impact echoed through the empty hall, sharp and final. He stumbled, caught himself against the wall, and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

When he looked up, there was no anger. Just shock... and something else I couldn't place. "Why?" I hissed, my voice trembling with rage. "Why the hell would you do something like that to someone like him?"

He didn't answer right away - just stared at the ground like he was searching for the right words to make it all go away.

When he finally spoke, his tone was eerily calm. "I guess you don't really understand what's going on, do you?" I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

"Don't mess with me. I understand enough - you killed him." He lifted his head then, meeting my eyes. There was pain in them. Not guilt. Not fear. Just... pain.

"The person truly responsible here is your dad," he said quietly. "He used me. Exploited me. Forced me into it. You think i had a choice?" For a second, everything in me went still.

then I shoved him hard against the wall, the sound of his back hitting concrete echoing in the room. My fingers twisted into his collar as anger pulsed hot and wild through my veins.

"Don't you dare feed me that bullshit!" I snapped. "You're trying to save your ass by dragging my dad into this?" He didn't fight back. Didn't even try to push me off.

His eyes didn't waver. "Listen," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "You hand me over to the cops, and I'll hand them something bigger. I'll expose your dad - the one who made all of this happen. I've got proof. Recordings. Files." I froze.

His words slammed into me like a physical hit. "Or," he continued, stepping forward once I loosened my grip, "you can let me go. I'll disappear. You'll never see me or her again. No one ever has to know."

I wanted to call him a liar. I needed to. But deep down, that voice in my head, the one that sounded too much like my own whispered that he wasn't lying. I thought of my father's sudden rise.

The parties, the way he brushed off his friend's death like it was some unfortunate weather report.

And all those times I'd tried asking questions and got nothing but silence. Pieces of a puzzle I didn't want to solve started clicking into place.

He must've seen it in my face, the hesitation because his tone shifted, almost soft now. "Think about it, Kaelin," he said. "If I go down, your dad goes down with me. And when Elian finds out? You'll lose him too.

You really think he'll ever look at you the same again once he knows what your father did?" My chest tightened.

His words hit where they weren't supposed to. He stepped closer, too close, lowering his voice until I could feel his breath against my ear. "I know you love him," he whispered.

That did it. Something cracked inside me. My hands shook. My head pounded. I couldn't breathe past the noise of everything crashing in at once - my father, Collins, the guilt, Elian.

I staggered back, running a trembling hand through my hair, my throat burning. "Just... get the fuck out of my face," I managed to growl, my voice breaking somewhere between anger and despair.

He didn't argue. He just gave me one last unreadable look - almost pity - before slipping into the darkness like smoke. And just like that, he was gone. A minute later, the sound of footsteps and radio static filled the air.

Police lights flickered faintly through the windows, and Elian's voice cut through the noise. "Kae!" I turned as he rushed toward me, eyes wide with worry. He dropped to his knees beside me, his hands gripping my arms.

"Are you okay? What happened?" I opened my mouth but couldn't think of what to say. My mind was spinning too fast. "Where is he?" one of the officers demanded, scanning the area with a flashlight.

"I-" I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I lost him. He ran off through the back." The officer cursed under his breath and barked something into his radio, ordering a search.

I could feel Elian still staring at me, his worry growing heavier by the second. "Hey, Kae..." His voice dropped, soft and careful. "You look pale. What did he say to you?" I looked away, blinking hard.

"Nothing. I'm fine." He frowned, stepping closer. "Do you really expect me to believe that? I know when you're lying."

"I said I'm fine," I snapped, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. The air between us went tight, thick with unspoken things. "Kae," he said again, quieter this time. "You're not fine." That was the breaking point.

"Shut the fuck up, El!" I exploded, my voice echoing off the empty walls. "Just-leave me alone!" He flinched, but didn't move.

His eyes looked wounded, like I'd punched him instead. That hurt worse than anything else. I turned before he could see the tears threatening to spill and stormed out into the cold night.

My chest felt heavy, like I was dragging the whole mess behind me. By the time I reached my car, my hands were trembling too much to light the cigarette, but I did it anyway.

The flame flickered in the dark, and for a moment, it was the only thing keeping me steady. I took a drag, exhaled slow, and let the first tear fall. I'd lost control of everything - and the worst part was, I wasn't even sure who the real monster was anymore.

**********

I reluctantly dragged myself out of my warm, cozy bed, the familiar sound of my mom's relentless phone calls echoing through the house like a morning alarm.

The shrill tones of her conversations often made me cringe, and today, I could sense the tension in her voice-it was probably going to be one of those mornings.

"Hey, get your ass down here!" she bellowed, her voice slicing through the morning air like a knife. With a resigned sigh, I trudged down the narrow staircase, the wooden steps creaking under my weight.

I arrived at the dining table and settled into my usual spot, the chair's slight wobble a small comfort in the chaos around me.

As I began to spoon cereal into my mouth, I couldn't help but steal a glance at my mom. Her brow furrowed and lips pursed, she was glaring at me as if I were the source of her irritation.

The sight was almost comical, and I felt a smirk creeping onto my face as I munched on my breakfast.

"Mum, don't you think people get shorter tempers as they get older?" I ventured, my voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

The look she shot me could have burned through steel. Undeterred, I pressed on,

"Oh, by the way, I'm staying over at Kaelin's tonight." With an exaggerated flick of my wrist, I dropped my spoon into the bowl, signaling my intention to escape the breakfast battleground.

"No parties with Kaelin, El!" she shouted after me, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface.

I hesitated for a brief moment, weighing my options-should I stand my ground, or retreat to the safety of my room? The question hung in the air, but before I could decide, she muttered under her breath,

"Well, when do you ever listen to me?" A low chuckle escaped me as I made my way up to my sanctuary, delighting in the small victory over her annoyance.

Just then, my phone buzzed, the vibration sending a thrill of excitement through me. I fished it out of my pocket to read the message from Kaelin:

"All black, buddy." A grin spread across my face as I envisioned our plan for the evening, and with a renewed sense of anticipation, I bounded up the stairs to my room, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store.

Since Dad passed away, Mum has become increasingly irritable, reacting to even the smallest of annoyances.

The once vibrant conversations she used to have, transformed into endless phone calls that seem to drain her energy and, on occasion, plunge her into a sour mood.

As the CEO of a large corporation, the pressures and responsibilities weigh heavily on her without Dad being around anymore, adding to the stress of managing her grief.

The relentless demands of her job pitch her into a whirlwind of decision-making and endless meetings, leaving little room for the emotional support she truly needs during this difficult time.

,

My name's Elian Collins, and I live in this vibrant town in the heart of New York. the kind of place that never shuts up.

Cars honking, people yelling, lights flashing like the city's in a constant rush. That's home.

Life's been... a lot lately. Ever since Dad passed, everything's been off-balance. He was one of those people who filled every space - confident, loud, impossible to ignore. A politician, CEO, and, well, kind of a legend. People loved him. I did too. Still do.

Now it's just Mom and me. She's been holding everything together - the house, the business, and somehow herself - all while pretending she's fine.

I admire her for that, but sometimes it feels like she's trying to be strong for both of us, and that just makes the emptiness louder.

That's probably why I drive so much.

My car - a sleek black Mercedes Dad got me before he passed - feels like the only place I can breathe. The hum of the engine, the blur of city lights, that moment of control... it's the closest thing I have to peace.

Lately, though, I've felt this weird tug in my chest. Like something's about to change, and I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

Sometimes I catch my reflection in the rearview mirror and think, okay, maybe life's not all bad.

I've got decent looks, I guess - brown hair that refuses to stay in place, brown eyes that apparently look lighter in sunlight. Mom says I got both from Dad.

People at school notice me - some wave, some smile, some whisper. I smile back when I feel like it. Most of the time, I just keep walking. Not because I think I'm better than anyone - I just don't always know what people really want from me.

Everyone assumes life's easy when you've got money. Big house, private school, nice car - the whole package. But that's the thing: it's too perfect on the outside. People stop trying to look any deeper. You start wondering if anyone ever really sees you.

That's probably why I don't have a ton of friends.

Well - except one.

Kaelin Giles.

Kae's different. He's the kind of guy people notice even when he's not trying.

Tall, strong, the "don't mess with me" type. Tattoos run down his arms - black ink against pale skin - and somehow they make sense on him. He doesn't have to try to look cool. He just is.

And yeah, he's a bit of a snob - world-class level. He'll give you a blank stare instead of answering your question, or just walk away mid-conversation.

But once you get used to it, it's kind of funny. He's just... unapologetically himself. Doesn't care what anyone thinks. Doesn't try to impress. That's what I like about him - he's real.

People love to whisper about us. "They're always together." "They probably share a brain." Whatever. I don't care, and Kae definitely doesn't.

He only comes to school because I nag him to. If it were up to him, he'd be home all day, half-asleep with his phone buried under his hoodie.

The guy lives like he's allergic to effort.

But somehow, when we walk into school together, people stare. Matching hoodies, same energy - it's not planned, it just happens. He acts like he doesn't notice, but I know he does. He just doesn't care.

That's Kae for you - unbothered, confident, and impossible not to admire.

********

I was knee-deep in my closet, tossing shirts and hoodies everywhere, trying to decide what to wear. First day of senior year. My last year of high school.

Crazy.

I already knew what I was going to wear though - my favorite black hoodie with "Elian" printed across the back in bold white letters.

I threw on ripped-free black jeans, clean sneakers, and my red head warmer. All black and red - my thing. It just makes everything look put together.

My phone buzzed.

Kae: "At the gate. Don't keep me waiting, starboy."

Typical. I could practically see the smirk on his face while he typed it.

I grabbed my keys, slung my bag over my shoulder, and headed out. The drive felt quicker than usual - maybe because my mind was already at school.

When I pulled up and spotted him near the gate, I couldn't help but grin.

Kaelin stood there like he owned the place - tall, relaxed, leaning against his car with his hands shoved into his hoodie pocket. Cap turned backward, baggy jeans, that casual "I don't care but I look good anyway" vibe.

He looked up when he saw me, a small grin tugging at his lips.

"You look good," he said, pulling me into a quick hug. "First day glow-up or something?"

It had only been a few weeks since we last hung out, but somehow, that simple hug hit differently. Familiar. Easy.

"Ease up, man," I laughed, patting his back. He stepped back, giving me one of those once-over looks.

"What?" I asked.

He shrugged, smirking. "Nothing. You clean up nice, that's all."

"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes, but the grin still slipped through. That's the thing about Kae - he's got this way of making everything feel lighter.

We started walking toward the building, and like always, he threw an arm over my shoulder. It wasn't even a question anymore.

The hallway was already alive - lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, people shouting across the hall. I could feel the stares, the whispers. Same old story.

Some girls nearby were giggling. One of them whispered, "He's totally my type."

I didn't know if she meant Kae or me, but judging by how she was staring, I didn't have to ask.

Kae didn't even flinch. Just walked like the world didn't exist. That's what's annoying - and kind of impressive - about him.

Then, out of nowhere, his hand slid down from my shoulder to my side, brushing against me by accident. I jumped, heat rushing to my face.

"Kae!" I hissed, smacking his hand away.

He just laughed - that quiet, deep laugh of his, like he found life permanently amusing.

And of course, we had an audience. A new girl by the lockers was watching us - wide-eyed, like she was still figuring out what kind of place this was.

Long wavy hair, light brown eyes, that calm kind of pretty. She looked like she hadn't yet learned how loud this school could get.

Kae noticed me glance over and chuckled under his breath.

"What?" he said, all fake innocence.

"Don't start," I warned, grabbing his arm before he could say something dumb.

He smirked, clearly enjoying how easy it was to mess with me. I just sighed and pulled him down the hall before he made a scene.

He went back to talking about how boring the assembly would be, but I barely heard him. My brain was still replaying everything - his hand, the laughter, the stares.

I shot him a glare, but of course, he didn't care.

That's Kae - untouchable, cool without trying. And me? I'm just the guy trying to keep up.

I didn't even wait for Kaelin to say a word when we got to his place.

The second the door clicked shut behind us, I turned on him - heart pounding with leftover anger and something else I couldn't quite put a name to.

"I'm done for the day," I snapped, tossing my bag onto his couch. "No more classes. I'm serious."

Kae just leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me like I was performing some kind of drama for his entertainment. That calm, smug look of his only made me angrier.

I couldn't stop replaying what happened in the hallway - his hand on my waist, that stupid grin, and the way the new girl had looked at us like she was seeing the juiciest headline ever.

God, that look on her face. Like she was already imagining who was who in her own made-up story.

I slammed the door harder than necessary. "What was that, Kae?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the room. "What the hell was that in the hallway?"

He blinked at me, wide-eyed and annoyingly calm, like I was the one losing my mind.

"You're a freaking pervert," I said before I could stop myself, heat creeping up my neck.

Kae tilted his head slightly, that small, knowing smile forming. "This about earlier?" he asked, tone maddeningly casual.

"I acted on impulse, El. Relax."

"Relax?" I echoed, disbelief dripping from my voice. "You grabbed me in front of everyone- including that girl who probably thinks I'm your boyfriend now!"

He raised one eyebrow, smirk still tugging at his mouth.

"Don't you think you're overreacting? It's not like this is the first time I've done something like that."

"Exactly!" I shot back. "That's the damn problem!"

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair like this was just another Tuesday. "Come on, I was teasing you, dude. You're acting like I proposed."

I glared at him, fists clenching, because that's what he does - makes you feel stupid for getting angry. Like you're the one out of line.

The last time he'd "acted on impulse" was months ago, in the auditorium - when he leaned in way too close, like he was about to kiss me. I'd stopped him, but it still lingered in my head like a glitch I couldn't fix.

And now, with that girl watching earlier, it just made me want to find her and yell, "It's not what it looks like!"

"God, you're impossible," I muttered, dragging a hand over my face.

Kae grinned, clearly enjoying every bit of my frustration. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the couch, muttering, "You're gonna be the death of me."

"Come on," he said after a beat, heading toward the cellar door. "You're wound too tight. Let's get a drink."

He didn't even wait for me to reply - just tossed me a lazy wink over his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you this time. I still remember your last hangover."

I groaned but got up anyway, following him downstairs.

The cellar was dimly lit, smelling faintly of leather and smoke - so him it almost made me laugh. He bent down, opened a small fridge, and pulled out two bottles.

"Just one," I said firmly when he handed one over.

He chuckled, already twisting his cap open. "You always say that."

Kae doesn't laugh much - not really. He's more of a smirk-and-silence kind of guy. So when he did laugh, really laugh, it threw me off. He looked... lighter. Almost happy.

And somehow, that made it harder to stay mad.

Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a lighter and a cigarette, and I immediately groaned.

"Seriously, Kae?"

He gave me a side glance, lighter flicking open with that metallic click. The tiny flame reflected in his eyes.

"You know I hate that," I said, crossing my arms.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "One a day, I remember."

But as he brought the lighter closer, he caught me watching him. His hand froze midair. For a second, he just stared back at me.

Then, with a sigh, he lowered the lighter and tossed the cigarette into the ashtray. "Damn it," he muttered. "This is harder than it looks."

His tone was different this time - not teasing, not lazy. Just real.

Without thinking, I reached out and gave his shoulder a quick pat. "You'll get there," I said quietly.

He looked at me - really looked - before that faint smirk crept back in. "You're too nice, El," he said softly. "It's gonna ruin you someday."

"Yeah, well," I muttered, taking a long sip from my drink, "guess I'll risk it."

He laughed, and the sound bounced off the walls. For a second, the tension in my chest finally eased.

Even when he pissed me off, even when he crossed every line, somehow, I couldn't stay mad at him.

*********

Olivia's POV

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning, I came face-to-face with a guy who looked like he'd stepped right out of a coming-of-age movie.

Warm eyes, charming smile - the kind that makes you instantly forget what you were thinking.

"Hey, have you seen Clair?" he asked, flashing me a grin that could sell popcorn and movie tickets all at once.

"Uh-sorry," I stammered, returning the smile awkwardly. "I'm new here."

"Ah, that explains it," he said, chuckling. "Welcome, then."

He extended a hand, and when I shook it, his palm was warm - enough to send a small jolt up my arm.

Before I could say anything else, he checked his watch. "Crap, I'm late for class. I'll see you around!"

And just like that, he was gone - walking down the hall with that confident stride that made it hard not to stare.

I hadn't even been here ten minutes, and I was already meeting guys who made my pulse skip.

Welcome to chaos, I thought.

As I walked further down the hall, the buzz of laughter, footsteps, and chatter surrounded me. That's when I saw them.

Two guys leaning by the lockers - both in black, both stupidly good-looking in different ways. The kind you notice even if you're trying not to.

One had a calm, serious face, while the other had that lazy smirk that made you think he laughed at the world more than he lived in it. They weren't talking loud, but there was this quiet intensity between them, like the rest of the hallway didn't exist.

Something about them just... stood out.

They looked more interesting than the guy I'd just met. Way more.

I couldn't tell what their deal was, but they definitely had one.

When I finally made it to class, a woman with sharp eyes and round glasses looked up.

"A new student?" she asked, her tone firm but kind.

"Yes, ma'am," I said quickly, trying not to sound nervous. "I'm Olivia Trevor. I just moved here with my dad - he runs a restaurant downtown. I'm a transfer student from Leeds High, here on scholarship."

The words tumbled out before I could stop myself, and I finished with a nervous laugh.

The teacher smiled faintly. "Welcome, Olivia. Everyone, be nice to her. You can take any open seat."

I scanned the room until I spotted a familiar grin - the same guy from the hallway waving me over.

"Hey, didn't expect to see you again this soon," he said as I sat beside him.

"Neither did I," I said with a small laugh.

"I'm Ronald," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Welcome to the circus."

"Thanks, I think?" I joked, and he laughed - the kind of laugh that made you instantly relax.

We talked easily - about classes, the weird school rules, and apparently, the "never-ending drama" that came with it.

Then his eyes drifted toward the door.

"Who're you looking for?" I asked.

"Kaelin and Elian," he said, smirking. "Those two psychos are probably skipping again."

I laughed. "Psychos? That's... reassuring."

He shrugged. "You'll see. They're kinda impossible to miss. Both have rich families, both act like they own the place. Snobby, but somehow everyone's obsessed with them."

Something clicked. "Wait-two guys in black hoodies?"

He turned, eyebrows raised. "Yeah. You saw them?"

"I think so. In the hallway." I paused, remembering how close they'd been standing. "They looked... familiar."

Ronald leaned closer, lowering his voice. "That's 'cause their families are famous. Both dads are big-time names - politicians, business guys. Well, Elian's dad was. He passed away last year."

My expression softened. "Oh... that's awful."

"Yeah," Ronald said quietly. "It was everywhere. Happened on Elian's birthday too. Whole city talked about it."

"My dad mentioned that," I murmured. "Said the guy was a legend."

"Pretty much," Ronald said. "And now everyone watches his son like he's carrying that legacy. Especially since he and Kaelin are always together. Like, always."

He smirked. "Some people even think they're more than friends."

I blinked. "Really?"

He shrugged. "Who knows. You tell me - you saw them. What'd it look like?"

I hesitated, thinking back. "They looked... close. Like they get each other without saying anything."

Ronald laughed under his breath. "Yeah, that's what everyone says."

As class ended, he leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Hey, about them - if people talk, just ignore it. They've already got enough attention."

"Of course," I said quickly.

Still, as we walked out together, I couldn't shake the image of those two by the lockers - that unspoken connection, the way the air around them seemed charged.

Something told me this school year wasn't going to be simple.

It was going to be interesting.