Lost spark

5!

"Leila?" Asher's voice was tinged with confusion and concern. "What's wrong? Is Kai okay?"

Leila took a deep, steadying breath. "No, Asher, he's not. He never showed up for class, and I'm... I'm really worried about him." Her voice wavered, the fear for her best friend's wellbeing palpable.

Asher was silent for a moment, and Leila could practically hear the gears turning in his mind. "What happened?" he finally asked, his tone grave.

Leila hesitated, debating how much to reveal. "Kai came to see you yesterday, didn't he?" She knew the answer, but she needed to hear it from Asher.

"Yes," Asher replied, his voice laced with regret. "We... we talked. Or rather, we started to, before Kai..." He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy between them.

"Before he ran off, you mean." Leila's voice was sharp, the accusation clear. "Asher, what did you do?"

Asher sighed heavily. "I didn't mean to hurt him, Leila. I never wanted that. But we... we still have a lot of unresolved issues, and it seems to have taken a toll on Kai."

Leila felt a flare of anger rise within her. "A toll? Asher, Kai is falling apart. He's not showing up to class, and I'm worried he might do something reckless." She paused, her voice softening. "I need your help, Asher. I can't get through to him, not like you can."

There was another weighted silence, and Leila could practically feel Asher's internal struggle. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with determination.

"I'll go to his place, Leila. I'll make sure he's okay." A pause, then, "Can you... can you keep me posted on how he's doing in the meantime?"

Leila felt a reluctant sense of relief wash over her. "Yes, of course. Just... please, Asher. Don't hurt him again." The unspoken plea hung in the air, and Leila knew Asher understood the gravity of the situation.

"I won't, Leila. I promise." With that, Asher ended the call, leaving Leila to return her focus to the lecture, her mind consumed by worry for her best friend.

As she sat there, her gaze drifting to Kai's empty seat, Leila couldn't help but wonder if Asher's return would be the catalyst to finally heal the wounds of the past, or if it would only serve to rip them open once more.

---- 

~Kais perspective~

Kai stirred slowly, the events of the previous night crashing back into his consciousness like a tidal wave. The memories of his confrontation with Asher, the confession that had torn open old wounds, sent a fresh wave of anguish coursing through him.

With a shuddering breath, Kai pushed himself up from the floor, his limbs aching from the restless sleep. His gaze immediately landed on the canvases and sketches strewn haphazardly around him, reminders of the art he had poured his heart and soul into.

But now, as he looked at them, all he could see was Asher's face, the pain and regret etched into his features. A strangled cry escaped Kai's lips, and he lashed out, his fingers tearing into the delicate papers, ripping the images to shreds.

"No, no, no!" Kai chanted, the frenzied mantra punctuated by the sound of ripping canvas and the dull thud of canvases hitting the floor. His art, his sanctuary, had become a twisted reminder of the love he had lost, and he needed it gone.

Tears streaming down his face, Kai turned his attention to his arms, his nails digging into the tender flesh. The sharp sting of pain was a welcome distraction, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil that threatened to consume him.

He clawed at his skin, the angry red lines a testament to his anguish. It wasn't enough, though. Kai needed more, needed to feel something, anything, other than the suffocating weight of his heartbreak.