The halls feel suffocating, every sound too sharp, every face too familiar. Ms. Daniels' warning echoes in my head, the threat of failure looming over me. Failing. I can't shake it. The way she said it, calm but firm—it felt like a slap. But what did I expect? Jack and I haven't even touched the project, and now... he's gone.

I tighten my grip on my bag, my feet dragging me toward my locker. My chest tightens when I see them—Jack and Brooke.

He's leaning against the locker, his arms wrapped casually around her waist. Their lips meet, and I force myself to look away, but it's too late. The sting has already settled in, sharp and deep. My stomach twists. This is what you wanted, right? He's moved on. That's what I told him to do.

But it fucking hurts. More than I expected. The guilt bubbles up, mixing with the bitterness I've been trying to swallow.

Before I can slip into my thoughts, Eli's voice cuts through, sharp but playful. "Oh yeah, totally not in love with Jack, right?"

I snap my head toward him, glaring. "Now's not the time, Eli."

His grin fades slightly, but he doesn't back down. "Okay, okay. No need to bite my head off."

I huff, my chest tight as the frustration keeps building. I don't want to talk about Jack or anything else. Not now.

I grip my locker tighter, as if that will stop everything from crashing down. "Ms. Daniels told me I'm about to get a fucking failing grade."

Eli shifts beside me, the humor draining from his face. "She's right, you know," he says, his voice gentler now, like he's trying not to push too hard. "Ms. Daniels. You and Jack haven't made any progress, and it's because you've been pulling away. And now look." He nods toward Jack and Brooke, still tangled in their little world. "This is what happens when you run."

His words hit harder than I want to admit. The guilt rises, but so does the anger. Run? Is that what he thinks I'm doing? Maybe I am. But I don't want to hear it.

My throat tightens. "Yeah, thanks for the fucking lecture," I snap, shoving the guilt down as far as it will go.

Eli glances at me, eyebrows raised. "Yeah, totally not jealous, right?"

"This is the best," I mutter under my breath, but the bitterness is creeping in. I lean back against the locker, folding my arms across my chest. I don't want to face this—not now, not ever.

Eli tilts his head, his eyes softer, more thoughtful. "Are you sure? Because it doesn't look like you're fine with things."

His words settle in the pit of my stomach, and I grit my teeth to keep from saying something I'll regret. My hands tighten into fists, and the frustration, the guilt, it's all boiling over. Why does he have to push? Why now?

I don't notice it until it's too late—my water bottle slips from my hand, the cap popping off as it hits the floor. The water spills out, splashing against my fingers. My heart skips, panic surging through me like fire. No. Not now. Not here.

I freeze, feeling the familiar prickling beneath my skin, the telltale sign of the transformation creeping up on me.

"Aria," Eli's voice snaps to attention, calm but sharp. His eyes flick to my hands, catching the slight shimmer forming around my fingers. "Go. I've got this."

I don't need him to tell me twice. My feet move before I can think, my body running on pure instinct. I don't look back. I don't stop. My heart races, the pressure building with each step. Find somewhere. Anywhere.

The door slams behind me as I rush into an empty classroom, my hands trembling as the transformation starts. My legs are gone before I can blink, replaced by the shimmering light purple tail that's been my secret for so long. I suck in a breath, leaning against the desk as the weight of the water and the fear presses in.

Just like last time. This room. This panic. It's all too familiar—the day before everything changed with Jack. Back when things were easier. Simpler. Before I realized just how deep this all runs.

I let out a slow breath, focusing on the power surging through me. I have to get control. Hydrothermokinesis. The word steadies me, reminding me of what I need to do. My hands glow faintly as I channel the heat, preparing to dry off when—

"Aria? You in there?"

I groan, recognizing Eli's voice immediately. Of course.

"I'm fine!" I call back, but it's too late. The door creaks open, and Eli's smirk appears before he even steps inside. His eyes catch the light of my tail, shimmering in the dim classroom.

"Still can't get used to this," he says, his voice light but tinged with a deeper understanding.

I roll my eyes, though there's no real edge to it. Eli found out my secret just last night at the moon pool—he walked right in, no hesitation, like stumbling upon a mermaid was the most normal thing in the world. Who wouldn't be weirded out by this? Yet somehow, Eli's already acting like it's just another part of me, like he's always known.

I focus on drying my tail, the heat pulsing from my hands, and within moments, my legs are back. The cold, wet feeling fades as Eli offers me his hand, pulling me up with a grin that's a little too smug for my taste.

"Did anyone notice?" I ask, brushing my damp hair out of my face, trying to keep the rising panic from my voice.

Eli hesitates, and that pause alone is enough to send my heart racing again. "Well... about that... I think Jack saw us talking. I've been catching glares from him ever since. He's definitely noticing something's off—he can tell the shift between us, and he's misinterpreting the hell out of it. And let me just say, I know he's going to take it out on me at practice. You're lucky I can handle Jack's attitude, but I'm not sure I can keep up with the drama between you two. You pulling away and him getting pissed at me for it? Not fun."

My blood runs cold. Jack. My chest tightens, my heart thudding painfully in my ears. "What?"

Eli shrugs, his expression shifting from casual to serious. "Yeah, he kept glancing at us. Brooke didn't seem to pick up on it, but Jack... he was definitely watching. And I don't like the looks he's giving me. I'm not looking forward to what he's going to throw at me during football practice. Anyway, you know you'll have to tell him eventually. You're lucky he didn't catch the water bottle thing, but he did notice you rushing off like something was up."

My pulse quickens, my mind spiraling. If Jack figures it out... if he knows what I am...

I swallow hard, the panic clawing its way back up. "You have to do something. Make him forget, or—"

"Relax," Eli interrupts, his voice steady. "He didn't see anything. But... Jack's not a dumbass, you know. Just because he is a jock a football player. He still is pretty smart. As you can tell you already know he is trying to get in the University of Southern California even if he is a junior year You know that. He's putting pieces together, and you can't keep dodging him forever."

I groan, slumping back against the desk. The weight of everything—the project, Jack, my secret—it's too much. "Great. Just fucking great."

Eli gives me a sympathetic smile, but there's a shift in his eyes—something more serious. "Look, Aria. You can't keep running. The more you avoid him, the more he's going to notice. And you're making things harder for yourself. Just... let him in, okay? And for the love of everything, please finish this damn project. You're driving me insane here. I'm trying to be the supportive best friend, but you're not making it easy."

"Well, too bad. I'm not telling him anything. Whether you like it or not," I shoot back, folding my arms defiantly.

"Great. Thanks, Aria. I'll just take all the hits from Jack at practice today. You know he's going to give me hell, right? Smartass comments, death glares, and don't even get me started on the drills. Being the linebacker means I'll have the pleasure of dealing with his frustration up close and personal. Meanwhile, Brent's off doing his running back thing, no worries at all." Eli rolls his eyes, sarcasm dripping from every word. "You're really stressing me out here, you know that?"

I manage a small smile at his sarcasm, despite everything. Maybe part of me wants him to suffer a little. It's easier that way, easier to let Eli handle it while I keep my invisible barrier firmly in place. Even if it hurts. Even if it means I'm pulling away further. Slipping about my parents to Jack yesterday was bad enough. No more.

But the tension still lingers in my chest, heavy and unrelenting, pressing down with the weight of everything unsaid. I let out a shaky breath, knowing deep down Eli's right. I can't keep running forever, not from Jack, not from the truth. But I'm not ready. Not yet.

<>

Jack's POV

I keep telling myself it doesn't matter. I'm done. I'm done, Aria. I'm done trying. I said it. I meant it. But why the hell does it still feel like there's a weight pressing on my chest every time I think about her?

I walk down the hall, trying to push it all out of my mind, but it's like she's in every corner of my thoughts. The way she looked at me when she slipped up about her parents. That was the first time she let anything real slip through those walls she keeps so damn high.

"You'll leave me behind just like my parents did."

I don't know why, but those words hit different. Harder. I can still hear her voice when she said it. It was raw, vulnerable—something I've never seen from her before. Something about it stuck with me, like a loose thread I can't stop pulling. And the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off. Why did she let that slip? Why let me in, just a little, only to slam the door shut again?

I shake my head, trying to clear it. It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. But it does. More than I want to admit.

Brooke's laughing, leaning against me, talking about... something. I'm not really listening. I throw her a smile, just enough to keep things easy, keep her happy. We've kept it casual since day one. That's how I like it. Simple. No strings, no feelings, just... fun. She knows what this is.

But today, even that feels off.

I catch sight of Aria and Eli at her locker, standing close, talking about something. I don't know why I'm even looking, but my eyes just drift there. Aria's face is tense, like something's bothering her. Then, just like that, she bolts, rushing off like something's chasing her. And Eli... he glances back at me.

He saw me watching. Great.

I force myself to laugh at whatever joke Brooke just made, pretending like I'm not thinking about Aria. Like I'm not wondering why Eli went after her so quickly, why she looked like she was running from something. From me? From him?

The thought digs at me. Why does he get to be let in? Why him and not me?

Flashback 

"Just change partners. I don't care anymore."

Her words come back to me, sharp and cold. She meant them. And I... I hated hearing it. She pushed me away, again, and I wanted to be done. But somehow, I'm not. Not really.

I went to Ms. Daniels this morning, hoping she'd let me switch partners. Get me away from this mess. I'm tired of the walls, the distance, the feeling like I'm being kept out. I just wanted to be done with her, done with the project.

But Ms. Daniels just looked at me, like I was asking for something ridiculous. "It's too late, Jack. You two need to work this out. The deadline's coming up, and I can't let you switch now."

Work it out? Right. Like that's even possible. Aria doesn't want to talk to me, and I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do to fix that. I left the classroom feeling even more stuck than before. And pissed. She's not going to let me in, and now I'm trapped.

At this point, a failing grade sounds better than dealing with this mess.

I pull my jersey over my head, the familiar weight of it settling on my shoulders. But no matter how hard I try, I can't shake the frustration that's been building all day. Eli and Aria—what the hell is going on between them? They're getting closer. It's obvious. I'm not a dumbass. I see the way she smiles around him, the way he makes her feel comfortable. And the worst part is... she lets him in.

She lets him in so easily.

That should be me, shouldn't it? Why does he get to break through her walls while I'm left standing outside? She said she wanted to change partners, that she didn't care, but... why does it still feel like there's something more? Something she's not telling me.

I slam my locker shut, the sound echoing in the locker room. A couple of the guys glance my way, but I ignore them. My thoughts are all over the place, and I'm pissed. At Aria. At Eli. At the whole damn situation.

And what the hell is up with Brooke?

I glance over at the bleachers where Brooke's sitting, waving, waiting for me to notice her. I should feel... something. But I don't. It's just... hollow. I smile, because that's what I'm supposed to do, but even that feels like a chore right now.

Brooke's fun. Easy. No strings. And that's how I've always wanted it. So why does it feel like it's not enough anymore? Why does everything feel so... fake?

I keep telling myself it's just the project, that it's Aria's walls that are pissing me off. But if that's true, then why does it feel like I'm the one who's losing something? Why does it bother me so much that she lets Eli in, but not me?

Eli's been covering for her, I can tell. He knows something—probably everything—about why she's been pulling away. And that just makes me more frustrated. Why him?

The question keeps circling in my head, no matter how much I try to push it down. And every time I see them together, every time I remember the way she looked at me that day in the hallway... it's like I'm standing on the outside, watching something I'm not allowed to be a part of.

Do I even want to be a part of it?

My chest tightens at the thought, but I shove it aside, grabbing my helmet and heading for the field. I can't afford to think like that right now. Football's supposed to be my escape, my way out. But today, it feels like nothing's working.

<>

Eli's POV

Football practice is supposed to be my release—my escape from the drama. But today, I can feel Jack's frustration pressing down on me like a damn weight I can't shake. Every time I step into position, I feel his glare burning into the back of my neck. He's pissed, and it's clear he's taking it out on me.

Why is this my problem?

I grit my teeth and push through the next drill, but the tension is already boiling under the surface. Jack's distracted. He's off his game, and it's throwing everyone off. Another botched play, another frustrated groan from the team.

"Again!" someone yells from the sidelines, and I know we're in for a rough one. Great. Just what I need.

The next hit from Jack comes harder than necessary, a clear sign he's not here to just practice—he's here to work through whatever's crawling under his skin. And apparently, I'm his target.

I stumble, my body aching from the impact, but I shove it down and keep moving. I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. Not today, man. You can be pissed, but I'm not your punching bag.

Jack throws me another glare, and I meet it head-on. My fists clench, but I force myself to focus. We're teammates. Teammates don't do this. But the way he's playing, it's like he's got something to prove—like he's testing me.

It doesn't take long before Jack snaps. The second we break from the next play, he's charging toward me, helmet in hand, his jaw tight with anger. I've been waiting for this. It was only a matter of time.

"What the hell's going on with you and Aria?" Jack growls, his voice low but full of accusation.

I take a breath, trying to keep my temper in check. "Nothing, Jack. We're just friends. I've told you this a hundred times."

But he's not backing down. He steps closer, his eyes narrowing. "Bullshit. You've been spending way too much time with her. She's letting you in while she's shutting me out. Don't act like I don't see what's going on."

His words are like a slap, and it hits me harder than I expected. I feel the familiar weight of frustration settling in. Why is he making this my problem?

"I'm not falling for Aria," I snap back, my voice colder than I intended. "I've got my girlfriend. You know that."

But Jack's face twists in frustration, and I can see he's not hearing me. "Your long-distance girlfriend?" he spits, his tone mocking. "You really expect me to believe you're not moving on from her? What, you've decided to just give up on her?"

The anger that's been simmering all practice snaps. That's it.

Before I know what I'm doing, my fist connects with Jack's jaw. The crack of it echoes across the field, and everything goes silent. Jack stumbles back, his hand flying to his face, shock written all over him.

The team freezes. Everyone's staring, wide-eyed, like they can't believe what just happened. Hell, even I can't believe it. But the second the words left his mouth, I didn't think—I just reacted.

"Don't you ever assume I don't love my girlfriend," I say, my voice shaking with anger. "And don't accuse me of cheating on her."

Jack's eyes blaze, and for a second, I'm sure he's going to hit me back. But instead, he just stands there, his chest rising and falling with barely-contained fury. Before anything else can happen, Brent jumps in, his voice sharp.

"What the hell, you two?" Brent's hands go up between us, trying to calm things down. "This is practice, not a damn fight club!"

Coach doesn't see any of this. He's too busy yelling for us to get back into position, like nothing just happened. The rest of the team, though—they see it. The tension between Jack and me is thick, almost suffocating. Whispers start to spread, teammates exchanging looks, wondering what the hell just went down.

And I can't shake the feeling that a line's been drawn. The team can feel it. Something's changed.

I get back into position, but my mind's not on the game anymore. All I can think about is how ridiculous this is—Jack assuming things, Aria still hiding, me being stuck in the middle. It's too much.

Aria owes me for this. Big time. This whole back-and-forth with Jack, with their project—it's exhausting. And what's worse is that I'm the one caught in the crossfire. It's not my mess, but I'm the one paying for it.

She has to talk to Jack. She has to. I can't keep playing referee between them. Jack's already spiraling, and I'm just about ready to pull my hair out trying to keep him off her scent. She needs to open up, needs to face this before it blows up in all our faces.

But at the same time, I know Aria. I can't push her. Not directly. She's got to figure this out on her own.

Still, maybe I can help her along. Maybe I can come up with something—some way to get her to let Jack in without making it worse.

Yeah. That's it. I'll figure something out. But she's got to meet me halfway.

I take a deep breath and focus back on the game, but the knot in my stomach won't go away. Aria better be ready to buy me more than just coffee after all this. I can't keep running interference forever.

<>

Aria's POV

The café is warm and cozy, the quiet hum of conversations swirling around me, but it does nothing to ease the discomfort gnawing at my chest. My hair is styled, makeup lightly dusted over my features, and I'm wearing a fall-colored sweater that feels like my vlogging persona—the confident version of me I've tucked away for too long.

It feels like forever since I've done this, since I've let myself be this Aria, the one who steps out from behind the hoodie and glasses, the one who isn't trying to disappear into the background at school.

With everything that's happened—Eli finding out my secret, Jack and I barely speaking—it's been too much. But now, at least Eli knows the real me. Maybe that's why I can do this again—let him see the vlogger side of me. The version of me that doesn't hide.

I tug at the sleeves of my sweater, fingers brushing the edges nervously, still feeling the lingering tension beneath my calm exterior.

At school, I bury myself in hoodies and graphic tees, my head down, glasses on—doing everything I can to stay invisible. But today? I needed this. I needed to step back into the Aria who vlogs, the one who feels in control. I wanted to edit, to be in my own world, even if it's just for a little while. And here, in the café, away from Jack and the mess we've become... I can breathe again. I can be myself again.

The tapping of my fingers on the laptop is the only thing keeping me grounded. My vlogs—my hidden world—fill the screen, but my mind's wandering again. Eli, Jack, the project—it's all a blur. No matter how hard I try to focus, it's like everything is slipping out of my control.

Before I can sink further into my thoughts, a familiar voice pulls me back. "You know, from your mermaid self to this—makeup and fall outfits. I still can't get used to it. You've got three different personas, and somehow, you've managed to keep them hidden this whole time. Honestly, I'm surprised you've held it together for this long."

I glance up to see Eli, grinning as he slides into the chair across from me. His eyes sweep over my outfit, and his grin widens in playful disbelief.

"If you dressed like that every day instead of hiding behind glasses and hoodies, you'd have caught Jack's attention way back in freshman year."

I bristle, my cheeks heating up instantly. "Shut up, Eli," I mutter, tugging at my sleeves again.

He leans back in his chair, arms crossed with that smug look that never fails to make me blush harder. "I'm serious. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're finally trying to get his attention."

"I'm not." The words come out quickly—too quickly. A lie. But I can't stop the blush from deepening.

Eli chuckles, shaking his head. "Sure, you're not. But I'm just saying—you should dress like this more often instead of always trying to blend into the background. You could've had a bunch of girl friends if you didn't meet me first. And seriously, get me some damn coffee. I just got brutally tackled by your 'boyfriend.'"

I roll my eyes, hoping to shift the conversation before it lingers too long on Jack. I'm not ready to talk about him. Not with Eli. Not with anyone. But the way Eli looks at me, I can already tell that's exactly where we're headed. The word "boyfriend" makes my stomach twist. I glare at him, but the heat creeping up my neck betrays me.

"Jack's not my boyfriend."

Eli raises his hands in mock surrender, but there's something softer in his gaze now, something that makes my heart race for an entirely different reason. "Yeah, yeah. If you say so." He pauses, leaning forward, his grin fading as his expression turns more serious. "But Aria... you know you can't keep running from this, right? Jack was gunning for me today—like, really going for it. I don't think I've ever been hit that hard."

I glance down, my fingers tightening around my coffee cup as that familiar pressure builds in my chest. "Running from what?" I ask, even though I already know the answer. Jack.

"From Jack. From all of it." His voice is gentle but firm. "I get it—you've got walls up. But you've got to let him in at some point. He's not going to wait around forever."

The words hit harder than I expected. I swallow, trying to push away the knot forming in my throat. Eli's right, but the idea of letting Jack in... It's terrifying. Every instinct I have screams to stay hidden, to keep that part of myself locked away.

"I'm just... I don't know how," I admit quietly, my voice barely a whisper. I've never let anyone in. Not like this.

I reach for my coffee, trying to shift the conversation, but Eli's eyes land on my laptop, and I freeze. My vlogs. His curiosity flickers as he glances at the screen, but before he can say anything, I snap the laptop shut, the sound loud and final.

Eli's brow lifts, and he sighs, leaning back in his chair. "More secrets, huh?"

His words make my heart clench. He's right. Everything with Jack, the vlogs, the powers—I've been hiding everything, keeping it all to myself because it's safer that way. But I can feel the weight of it starting to crush me.

Eli's gaze softens, and he gives me that look—the one that says he's not mad, just concerned. "I'm not going to push, Aria. But at some point, you're going to have to let someone in. You can't keep carrying all of this on your own."

My throat tightens, and I glance away, staring out the window as my mind races. I've been hiding for so long, I don't even know where to start. The thought of letting someone—anyone—get that close is too overwhelming.

"I'm just... not used to it," I say quietly, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. "Having people notice me. Having a... friend."

Eli smiles softly, setting his coffee down. "Fair enough. You don't have to rush. Just... remember, I'm here when you're ready."

I offer him a small, shaky smile in return, but the weight of his words lingers. Ready. I'm not ready for anything—not for the project, not for Jack, not for this secret I'm keeping locked inside. And I know Jack's going to notice sooner or later.

"I don't know how long you can keep this up," Eli says, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "Jack's not an idiot, Aria. He's going to start figuring things out, whether you're ready or not."

My stomach sinks at the truth of his words. Jack is already suspicious, already frustrated. And no matter how hard I try to keep him at arm's length, the distance between us is shrinking—whether I like it or not.

"Yeah," I murmur, looking back down at the closed laptop. "I know."

<>

I feel the cool rush of water glide over my skin as I speed-swim toward the moon pool. The world above blurs into distant noise, but under here—beneath the surface—everything is calm. This is where I can escape. The water wraps around me, shielding me from the confusion, the tension, the mess I'm avoiding. But it can't last forever.

As I near the hidden cove, I surface smoothly, my light purple tail flicking behind me before I pull myself up onto the familiar rocks. The moon pool. My sanctuary. The one place where I feel in control. Here, I don't have to worry about who's watching or what they think.

But with Eli knowing my secret now, even this feels different.

A few minutes later, I hear Eli's voice bouncing off the cave walls. He's coming in by boat, grumbling about the trip. "Do you have any idea how much of a hike it is to get here? It's like rock climbing, then sliding down into this cove. I swear, I almost scraped my knee. At this point, forget the gym. I'll just keep coming to this island for my daily workout," he calls out, his tone half-serious but laced with dramatic flair.

I grin, unable to resist teasing him. "Well, if you had a tail and could breathe underwater like me, you could've just used the shortcut." I gesture toward the shimmering water. "There's an underwater entrance right there."

Eli groans in mock exasperation, finally stepping onto the rocks, shaking off droplets from his shoes. He kicks them off and rolls up his pant legs before dipping his feet into the water. "Alright, Little Mermaid," he says, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just let me find a potion to turn into a merman, and I'll be all set."

I roll my eyes, but the familiar teasing is comforting. Eli's good at keeping things light, and right now, I need that. "Quit complaining, will you? You're the one who wanted to know more about Eclipse Bay and the moon pool."

He raises his hands in mock surrender, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Okay, fair enough," he admits, settling beside me. His eyes scan the peaceful cove. "Now come on, show me something cool. This is your practice spot, right?"

I nod, my fingers flexing slightly before closing into a fist. The half-circle motion comes naturally, and in an instant, I vanish from his sight. Invisibility wraps around me like a second skin. My escape.

Eli's eyes widen, and he waves his hands in front of him, faking exaggerated movements. "Great. Now I've got to wave my hands like this at school to make sure you're not listening to my conversations." He flails dramatically, and I can't help but laugh, even though the invisibility holds.

When I finally drop the power and become visible again, I find myself chuckling. "Please, like you have anything interesting to say."

He shrugs, his grin playful. "Maybe not. But I'd rather not take the chance."

The mood shifts slightly as Eli leans back, dipping his toes deeper into the water. His smile fades just a bit, and his tone softens. "So, this is where you go to be alone?"

I nod, gazing at the shimmering water, the way the light dances across the surface. It's peaceful. Controlled. "Yeah. This is where I come when I need to think... or not think."

"It makes sense," Eli says, looking around. "It's quiet. Safe. I can see why you'd want to be here." He glances over at me, his voice dropping. "But you know, you don't have to be alone in everything."

His words hit harder than I want them to. It's easier to be alone. Here, in the moon pool, everything stays the way I want it. I'm in control of who gets close, of what I reveal. The water keeps everything simple. Out there, nothing is simple.

"It's different here," I say quietly, my gaze fixed on the water. "Here, I get to decide what happens. It's... safe."

Eli's eyes are soft, understanding, but there's something else—something like concern. "But what about Jack? You've been keeping him out for so long. Do you really think he's going to stay in the dark forever?"

My chest tightens at the mention of Jack. Jack, who I keep at arm's length because it's safer that way. Jack, who pushes and pushes, and I'm not ready for him to break through.

"I'm not running from him," I murmur, more to myself than to Eli. "I'm just... I don't know how to let him in. It's easier to keep the walls up."

Eli doesn't push, but I can feel his gaze, heavy with empathy. "You can't keep those walls up forever. Jack's already suspicious, and the more you pull away, the more it's going to hurt both of you when it all comes crashing down."

The water around me ripples softly, the moon pool reflecting the calm I wish I felt. Here, everything makes sense. But with Jack... nothing makes sense. Every time I try to distance myself, he finds a way to get closer. And the more he closes that gap, the more vulnerable I feel.

"I need this," I say, more firmly. "The space. The control. Out there... I don't have that. And with Jack..."

Eli tilts his head, waiting for me to finish, but I let the words trail off. With Jack, I'm not in control. And that terrifies me more than anything.

Eli sighs, leaning back again. "You know Jack's not going to let this go, right? The way you've been pushing him away, it's just going to make him dig deeper. You've got to figure this out before it blows up in your face."

His words hang in the air, heavy and undeniable. I know he's right. Jack isn't the kind of guy to let things go easily. He's already frustrated, already suspicious. But the thought of letting him in—of letting anyone in—feels like losing the one thing I have left: control.

"I know," I admit, my voice barely a whisper. "I just... need more time."

Eli doesn't push me further, and I'm grateful. He just nods, offering a small smile. "Alright. Time, then. But just know, I'm here when you need me."

We sit in comfortable silence after that, Eli's feet dipping into the water as I swim close to the rocks. The moon pool is still, the gentle lap of water against the rocks the only sound between us. I'm not ready to face Jack yet. But for now, having Eli here, knowing I don't have to carry everything alone, makes it just a little easier to breathe.

<>

A/N: Ohhh, the drama! What more can I do? Please comment, vote, and feedback is much appreciated. This took me a while to edit.