Kai povThe metal bleachers were cold, even through my jeans. I sat there, staring at the empty basketball court under the dim gym lights. This place used to be my kingdom. Now, it just felt like a giant echo chamber for every mistake I’d ever made. I heard the heavy door creak open at the top of the stairs. I didn’t have to look up to know it was Ava. Her footsteps were light, cautious, like she was walking into a trap.I don’t blame her. To her, my whole existence was a trap for a long time."You said it was important," she said. Her voice sounded tired. It killed me to know I was the reason for that exhaustion."It is," I replied. I stood up, feeling like my legs were made of lead. "Thanks for coming, Ava. Truly."She stayed five steps away, her arms crossed tight over her chest. It was her armor. I’d spent months trying to dismantle it, only to find out I was the one who needed to change. I looked at her, really looked at her, and the weight of the "Bet" felt like a stone in my th
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