Kingsley Academy

Chapter 36

The familiar sight of Kingsley comes into view as we pull up to the grand gates, the towering stone walls and perfectly manicured grounds looking exactly the same as when we left. But everything feels different now. After spring break, after everything that happened between Kade and me, it's like the air around us has shifted. There's this tension, this heaviness that we've carried back with us.

The jet lag doesn't help, and the silence between us during the ride back to campus makes the atmosphere even thicker.

Kade pulls the car to a stop in front of the dorms, the usual buzz of students moving around the courtyard filling the air. We don't say much—just a simple "we're here"—as we both step out, our bags in tow. He's quiet, more guarded than usual, and it's hard to shake the feeling that something's still unresolved between us.

I glance over at him, trying to read his expression, but Kade's always been good at keeping his emotions in check, at least when he wants to. He grabs his bag from the back of the car, his jaw tight, eyes focused ahead.

"You good?" I ask, breaking the silence as we walk toward the dorms.

Kade gives me a brief nod, but there's something off in his demeanor, something distant. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But I don't believe him. Not for a second. There's too much unsaid between us, too many things hanging in the air from the last few days. I want to ask him about it, to push him to talk, but now's not the time. Not when we're just getting back, surrounded by people who'd jump at the chance to get in our business.

As we reach the entrance, a few students glance our way, whispering and watching like they always do. Kade, being Kade, doesn't even acknowledge them, but I can feel their eyes on us, the rumors already starting to swirl. It's like returning to a whole different world after the escape of spring break.

We head inside, and I can't help but let out a small sigh of relief as the familiar halls of Kingsley surround me. Despite everything, there's a weird comfort in being back in a place that's become almost like home. Almost.

"Well," I say, glancing at Kade as we reach the stairwell. "Back to reality, huh?"

He smirks, but it's that cold, distant one that makes my stomach twist. "Yeah. Back to reality."

I don't push it any further, but as we part ways to our separate rooms, I can't shake the feeling that things between us are far from settled.

That night, I'm in my dorm, trying to focus on anything but the mess of emotions swirling inside me. The day's been heavy—coming back to Kingsley after everything, the tension still hanging between Kade and me. I'm flipping through my phone when I hear a knock at my door.

I open the door and see Kade standing there, my heart skips a beat.

"Hey," he says softly, stepping inside before I can even respond.

I close the door behind him, the tension from earlier still hanging in the air between us. He looks at me, his expression serious, like he's been thinking about this for hours.

"I'm sorry," Kade says, his voice low but steady. "For the way I talked to you earlier. I... I don't like it when we're like that."

I blink, a little surprised by the sudden apology. Kade isn't one to admit when he's wrong, but there's something raw about the way he's speaking right now. He's not just apologizing for the fight; it's like he's apologizing for something deeper, something he's been holding back.

"I don't like it either," I admit, my voice softer now. "But you can't keep blowing up like that. We can't keep doing this, Kade."

He runs a hand through his hair, his jaw clenching as he tries to find the right words. "I know. I know I've been... difficult. But I don't want to lose you, Allison." His voice drops even lower, more vulnerable. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."