The following morning, Kai awoke before the sun had even kissed the horizon. Yesterday was something that clung to her. It wasn't just Evan's warning — it was the emptiness in his eyes. She had witnessed this expression before, in the mirror, the day her father passed away.
Kai tied the red ribbon around her backpack and headed off to the less-used practice course of the academy. She had asked about it discreetly and found that Evan sometimes practiced alone there. The course was dusty, with eroded signs and patches, yet still held to the charm of not being used by the academy's sophisticated, top-level students.
And as expected, he was there.
Evan stood under a lone willow tree next to the seventh hole, mindlessly tossing a golf ball into the air and catching it. He had not yet seen her.
Kai walked right onto the green, not caring if she was interrupting.
"You have bad taste," she taunted. "This course is barely holding together."
Evan did not turn. "Neither am I."
His words cut deeper than she expected.
Kai moved a step closer. "Why do you hide out here?"
Evan finally turned around, his eyes softer than yesterday but not yet open.
"Because no one comes here," he answered bluntly. "It's where I can play without remembering."
"Remembering what?"
He looked at her like she'd asked him to look into his soul.
After a long silence, he said, "My sister."
The name just hung there, like a storm waiting to break.
Evan gestured at the run-down course. "This used to be our spot. Before. everything."
Kai took a hesitant step forward. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Evan said, voice low. "You didn't cause it."
Kai wanted to say more, but the words tangled in her throat. The wind stirred, gently swaying the willow branches above them.
Without thinking, Kai reached into her bag and pulled out two clubs. She tossed one to Evan.
"Play a round with me."
Evan caught the club but shook his head. "No."
"Afraid I'll win?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Evan's lips twitched. Almost a smile. Almost.
"You won't."
"Then prove it," Kai challenged, stepping up to the tee.
For a moment, Evan stood frozen, staring at the club in his hand. His fingers brushed over the grip like it was a memory. Slowly, reluctantly, he walked to the opposite tee box.
Kai's heart raced.
Maybe, just maybe, this was the first swing to breaking through his walls.