⠀⠀Kalani had hoped that the hype over her return would be over after the first day. She had assumed that it wouldn't be that big of a deal after all. In reality, it is the exact opposite of this on her second day back. It seems like it's even a bigger deal today than it was yesterday. It's almost as if everyone thought they were having the same dream the first day, but now that it's happening again today, the rest of the student body knows it's real. Kalani Hunters really is back.

⠀⠀Multiple people approach Kalani throughout the day to ask her simple questions about her return or to offer her a seat at their lunch table. Her responses are as vague as she can get them, and she politely declines the lunchtime offers, telling them that she has other arrangements.

⠀⠀All the while, Alec is still trying to find a way to have a real conversation with his former best friend. Emma interrupted them yesterday, and he really just needs to talk to her. It's not a want; it's an actual need.

⠀⠀He gets his opportunity after school once again.

⠀⠀"Kalani, can we please talk?" he asks.

⠀⠀She twirls the ends of her hair around her pointer finger and won't look him in the eyes. "I really need to get home."

⠀⠀"How about some other time then?" Alec offers. "I want to catch up. I... I've missed you."

⠀⠀"I just... I don't know. Probably not," Kalani replies.

⠀⠀"Is your plan just to ignore me for the semester and then go off to college and not talk to me again?" he intrigues.

⠀⠀She groans. "Yes, Alec, that is my plan. I don't want to talk to you or anyone else. I'm just here so I can graduate and move on."

⠀⠀The brutal honesty of her response shocks Alec. How can she say something like that? How can she be his best friend for years and then want nothing to do with him? What changed?

⠀⠀"But... But why?" he stammers, trying to make any type of sense out of her words.

⠀⠀"Because people change! Things happen... Bad things happen, and they change people. I'm not the same person that I was when I left here, and you're not the same person you were either. I'm not your best friend anymore. You don't even know me anymore. The sooner you accept that, the better," she blurts.

⠀⠀He just looks at her, his lips slightly parted as if he's about to say something, but no words come out. His blue eyes are saddened. He doesn't understand. He doesn't understand any of this.

⠀⠀Kalani didn't mean to say any of that. Well, she meant it all, but she didn't want to say it.

⠀⠀She looks over towards where Alec's car is and spots Emma standing there. "Your girlfriend's waiting for you."

⠀⠀Alec nods a slight, sad nod and turns away from her to head in the direction of his vehicle. Kalani goes in the opposite direction to where she is parked.

⠀⠀When he gets to his car, Emma rolls her eyes at him. "You take forever."

⠀⠀He leans in to kiss her, but she shoves him away. He runs his fingers through his hair and sighs, mumbling, "Sorry."