Something was wrong with the morning.
Kael felt it before he even opened his eyes. The air was too still. Too quiet. Not the calm kind, but the kind that felt like something was about to happen.
His room was silent.
No ticking from the wall clock.
Stopped again. Third time this week.
He sat up slowly. His head hurt—not sharp pain, just a heavy, dull ache like he hadn't really slept. His eyes landed on the red notebook on his desk.
He always kept it closed. Opening it meant remembering things he didn't want to.
Sunlight came through the window, warm and soft. Outside, kids were laughing. A dog barked. Everything seemed normal.
But inside, he didn't feel normal. Something deep in his chest was coming undone.
He picked up the notebook and flipped to the last page.
Today's date was already there.
His handwriting.
> "Don't believe her smile today. She's starting to forget you again."
His stomach dropped.
"Aria…" he said, barely a whisper. The name felt strange in his mouth. Distant.
He didn't remember writing that. But the pen was his. The writing looked like his. And the fear felt too real.
He got dressed slowly. Each movement felt heavy, like he was getting ready for something he couldn't see. When he stepped outside, the sky was bright. The air was clear. Birds were singing.
Aria stood waiting for him at the corner. Like always.
But her hair was shorter.
And she wore earrings he didn't recognize.
"Hey, sleepyhead," she said with a smile. "We still on for lunch today?"
Kael stopped.
She had said those exact words yesterday. Same smile. Same blink.
His hand tightened around the notebook.
The clock was broken. The day was repeating.
She didn't know.
But he did.
And that smile?
It didn't feel like hers anymore.