As we made our way out of the classroom we chatted about everything and anything besides the lecture. The day already sapped away my strength, sitting through 3 hours of non-stop studying. As the cafeteria came into view, I heard someone yelling Kai's name. I saw him stop and i turn to look with him. Someone was running down the hallway to catch up- no, not someone. Her. I groaned in response and slapped a hand to my head.

  "Not again Kai. Please. Yesterday killed me, i want to enjoy my lunch." I said pleading to him, getting an amused look back.

  "You expect me to just say no to my girlfriend, dude? That's harsh even for you." He replied as he walked back up to greet her.

  I followed reluctantly and shook my head as i saw her run up and hug him tightly. She was a relatively short and petite girl with pink hair and porcelain skin. Her face was plastered with make-up. I'd never seen her without it, but she was clearly going for the anime aesthetic. Her clothes were flashy, frilly and unfortunately well put together. As much as i disliked her, i had to admit she was pretty.

  "Kai! I missed you, it's been foreverrrrr. How could you leave me all alone for so long!" Katherine said batting her eyelashes at him trying to act cute.

  He simply chuckled at her and patted her head, much to her enjoyment. I on the other hand died inside. Of all the women he's dated, Katherine was my least favorite. She was loud, demanding and always interrupting conversation to make things about her. Honestly I had no idea what he saw in her.

  "You just saw him yesterday Katherine." I butt in to the moment snapping them out of it.

  She glared at me and retorted quickly. "And? That's exactly my point, it's been at least 16 hours. That's much too long to be without my loving boyfriend. Why dont you get lost and let the lovers be happy?"

  I grew a visible tick on my forehead at that statement and did my best to put up a polite smile. "Oh? How about you let the two best friends eat in peace for once? I can't hear myself think around you."

  Katherine gave me an annoyed hiss and was about to say something before Kai stepped between us. "Now, Now. I know I'm handsome but no need to fight over me ladies. There's enough for both of you."

  I glared at him as he gave me a smug look back. Shaking my head i shove my hands in my pocket and turned around to make my way to the cafeteria. It wasn't worth my time. I could hear Katherine yapping as she and Kai came following after me. I did my best to drown her out as i checked the sign for the lunch menu today.

  "Great... First Katherine, now meatloaf and beans. Who comes up with this stuff?" I say exasperated.

  "Don't compare me to Meatloaf and beans!" Came an outburst behind me, but i opted to ignore it.

  I grabbed my tray and lined up, still doing my best to ignore Katherine rambling about the latest drama she's been watching to Kai. She seriously could talk for hours. No matter his taste in women Kai was definitely more patient than i was.

  As i got to the front of the line, the cafeteria lady shot me a short look before dumping... something... on to my plate. I gave it a look of disgust and morbid curiosity before finding an empty table to sit at.

  I studied the mix of questionable colors and textures in front of me before giving it a tentative poke with my spoon. To my horror it jiggled slightly under the force. I quickly dropped my spoon and pushed it away from me. I was fine being hungry for a day.

  Kai sat across from me soon after with Katherine hanging off his arm. He stared at the concoction in front of him before looking at me and asking "Is this legal food to give to humans?"

  I shrugged in response and Katherine chimed in. "Omg, you're so funny Kai. Of course you can eat it. Here, try it!"

  She dug her spoon into the mix on her plate and pulled out a healthy scoop that wiggled and dripped a little too slowly onto her plate. Smiling with clear enjoyment in her eyes she brought the spoon to his mouth.

  "Say ah!" Katherine said with a big smile.

  I smirked at the scene and kicked Kai's shin under the table. "Yeah, say ah Kai."

  Kai stared at the spoon in front of his face with a clear look of disgust as it dripped thickly onto his plate. He glared at me sharply before sighing and opening his mouth. The things we do for love.

  Katherine promptly shoved the spoon into his mouth a little too hard and i saw him slightly gag as he began to chew slowly. She was oblivious and squealed giving him heart eyes. Clearly she thought this was a romantic moment for the two of them, while Kai was struggling to chew.

  "Why... why is it crunchy?" He asked with a horrified look on his face.

  That was enough to push me over the edge and i busted out laughing, nearly crying tears. The look on his face, the oblivious girlfriend and his horrifying revelation. I felt him kick me hard under the table, but i refused to care and kept laughing for a few minutes. Katherine gave us both confused looks before glaring at me and crossing her arms.

  I finally calmed down and wiped my eyes before saying "Woo... So. How was it?"

  Kai gave me the finger after swallowing and turned to comfort his girlfriend. She offered another bite, but was disappointed when he declined instantly. She tried it soon after and to his astonishment began eating like it was a 5 star meal.

  Grossed out and a little concerned, i decided to stop watching and began thinking about the rings around my neck again. I unclipped the necklace and let the rings pour out onto the table. The beast on the ring stared back at me. The orange gem in the middle glistening in the light. Katherine mid spoonful looked over with curiosity before leaning over to get a better look.

  "What's that?" She asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

  I looked at her before saying "My grandfather's rings. I carry them with me all the time but they're usually under my shirt."

  Kai chipped in leaning forward in his chair. "They were his grandfather's rings. Now they're his."

  Katherine studied them for a moment longer before asking "Can i hold them? I'll be careful."

  I hesitated for a moment, looking at Kai for reassurance. He nodded at me so I reluctantly nodded back to Kathrine. She carefully picked them up and rubbed her finger over the gem and the beasts design.

  "It's a pretty ring, i like the animal in the middle. Why dont you wear it on your hand instead?" She asked me. "It's a waste if nobody can see it."

  Kai looked at me pointedly before saying "That's what I've been saying for years now. He's stubborn, says it's his grandfather's not his."

  She frowned at that and handed me back the rings carefully. "But he gave them to you right? I think he would have wanted you to wear them. Have you ever tried them on?"

  "No." I answered honestly. "I've always worn them around my neck."

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  Her eyes lit up and she excitedly said "You should try it on then! It would be such a waste, come on. Give it a try!"

  I hesitated again, contemplating. The thoughts plaguing my mind about putting them on. The dreams coming back about grandpa, Kai and Katherine telling me to put them on. Staring at the gem on the ring it seemed to shine a bit brighter for just a moment. It was strange, almost like it was calling for me. I took a deep breath before looking up at them.

  "Alright.... I'll try them. It's alright to try them right?" I say to Kai still a bit unsure.

  He leaned forward more and placed a hand on my shoulder with a big smile. "It's what he would have wanted, Max. They're your rings."

  Feeling his reassurance my heart beat a bit faster and my skin began to warm up slightly. I was nervous, breathing a bit faster. I lined the ring up with my middle finger on my left hand and slide it on. The cool metal felt good on my hot skin. Surprisingly it fit perfectly. I looped the chain over the top of my hand and slid the smaller ring on my pinky.

  Instantly my head flashed with a sort of pain. It was a familiar sensation but overwhelming all the same. I winced and grabbed my head with one hand and steadied myself on the table with the other. Kai and Katherine glanced at each other before giving me a worried look.

  "Are you good, bro?" Kai's voice came, but it sounded a bit far away.

  Katherine spoke next "You look kinda pale. Maybe you should take them off?"

  My head swam with the feeling intensifying and i leaned against the table harder, groaning in pain. I could feel Kai shaking my shoulders, calling me but i couldn't hear what he was saying. The swelling in my brain finally came to a peak as soon as i felt like head would burst. I heard an unfamiliar voice call out my name clearly.

  "Max."

  I snapped up instantly and looked around. The pain was gone, but i could feel something different in the air. I looked around and saw the concerned looks of Kai and Katherine standing on either said of me.

  "Hey man, are you back with us? What happened? You disappeared for a minute there." He asked searching my eyes.

  Katherine continued "You looked like you were in pain, sweating a bit too. Did we push you too hard to put on the ring? I'm sorry."

  It was odd hearing her apologize and look concerned about me for once.

  "I'm- I'm fine. I think. Sorry, i don't know what happened." I reached up and pinched the bridge of my nose looking at the rings on my other hand. "I just felt like my head was going to burst for a moment, but it's gone. It was weird."

  Kai scrunched his face a bit before sliding back into his chair carefully. "Well as long as you're okay now. Just let me know if you need to see the nurse. We can take you there."

  "I've heard that sometimes trauma can cause physical pain." Katherine flooded in. "You've been scared of wearing the rings right? Maybe the feeling just overwhelmed you for a moment."

  I pondered her words before simply nodding in response. "Maybe." I said opting to keep the voice in my head out of the conversation.

  "Either way, the rings look good on you. I knew they would, but the gem sorta match your eyes. Never noticed that before." Kai said sipping from his water bottle.

  His girlfriend nodded enthusiastically. "You're usually not the best looking guy but the ring does help improve your eyes." She said with a teasing tone.

  "Gee, thanks Katherine." I say in a sickly sweet tone.

  She gave me an indignant look back and sat back in her seat. "And here i am trying to be nice for once."

  My best friend sighed and shrugged to himself before drinking more water. Katherine began eating her slop again, offering more to Kai much to his despondence. He opened his mouth and struggled again to chew which brought a smile to my lips.

  Then like someone snapping their fingers for attention, something called me eyes to the corner of the room. It felt like someone dragged a finger through my head forcing my nerves to notice it's call. It was painless but impossible to ignore. The room seemed to dim again and i focused hard to find what called me so desperately.

  I stood up abruptly for a better look, trying to heighten my vision more. Then as soon as it came, it was gone. The room came back into view and the sound came flooding back. I looked down to see the two of them watching me, concern in their eyes again.

  Kai spoke up first, slowly addressing me. "Hey Max? I think we should go to the nurses room after all. Katherine is done, and we aren't going to eat. Plus we have time before our next class."

  Silently i wondered if i was going crazy, but I agreed with him verbally before beginning to leave the cafeteria. The couple stood up quickly to follow after me and we made our way out of the double doors. The greenery outside brought a fresh breath of air to me and cooled the sweat on my forehead. I wiped my brow in surprise, i hadn't realized i was sweating.

  "I feel better out here." I said without facing them. "The breeze is helping a lot."

  Katherine spook up softly from behind me. "Still... You should go just in case. We'll come with you, okay?"

  My head felt clearer than normal but i nodded in agreement. No use in worrying them. We walked in relative quiet for a while towards the faculty building. Our campus was fairly big so it was a bit of a trek to our destination.

  Kai decided to break the silence first again. "So, any plans for the weekend Max? Me and Katherine are going to the movies to check out the new Sonic 3 film. Supposedly it's pretty good. Didnt know it but Katherine is a big fan of the franchise."

  He swung his arm over her shoulder giving me a questioning look while Katherine hummed happily burying herself further into his embrace.

  "No, not really. Probably just catching up on assignments as usual." I say, facing ahead again. "Actually, maybe I'll hit up climbers. It's been a week since i last went."

  Katherine piped up from her daydreaming and said "Tell me about it, all i do is study and work. Study and work. Work and study. UGHHHHH, if I didn't have Kai to take me on dates i would have died so long ago. Are you still not seeing anyone? Its a bit surprising. You're not ugly and unexpectedly funny at times. Of course, you've got nothing on Kai though. No offense."

  I shrug slightly before replying. "I guess i just haven't found the right one. Also, no need to rub it in. I know he's hot dude."

  At that, Kai laughed and bumped my arm slightly. "Let's be real, you don't put yourself out there either. Can't expect to catch a fish if you don't throw the line buddy. Katherine's got a point. You're good looking, you just gotta try a bit."

  "Dude, you're starting to sound like my parents. I'm gonna stop inviting you for dinner if you keep it up." I jab his arm back jokingly.

  He gave me a look of mock pain before retorting. "Yeah, yeah. Your parents love my ass and you know it. Plus i dont want to hear someone that's going to climb without me. Talk about betrayal." He said shaking his hand at me like he was trying to throw mud off.

  "Climb? Climb what?" Came Katherine's curious voice.

  I immediately whipped my head and shook it at her. "Nuh uh! That's bro time, you don't need to know." I then point a finger at Kai and continue "and you're going on a date. Did you forget?"

  Katherine pouted and snuggled up to Kai giving him puppy eyes. "Babeeee, what's he talking about? Pleaseeeee?"

  "Dont you do it!" I yelled over her desperately.

  He glanced at me than down at her. He gave me an apologetic shrug and leaned down to say "Max and I go rock climbing sometimes in our free time. He also does parkour but i suck at that. I can give him a run for his money on the rocks though." He bragged with a grin.

  Katherine immediately lit up and hopped up and down. "Oh, i want to go! I want to watch you climb! Can i?"

  I threw my hands up and groaned. "I told you not to tell her! I knew she'd ask. She's gonna want to come all the time now."

  Kai gave me another apologetic look before calming her down. "You can come with us, BUT not all the time. That's when we hang out just the two of us, and it's not fair to Max if we make him third wheel all the time. Fair enough to you both?"

  She pouted for a second but grumbled in agreement. I internally doubted she was going to stick to that agreement but nonetheless nodded as well. As i began to walk again, it happened again.

  Snap. Over here.

  My foot stopped and instantly my head snapped to attention. Something was calling me. The campus park we were walking through went silent. The couple kept walking oblivious to me for now, and I quietly stepped off the path. The pull was leading me towards a small dense patch of woods. I didn't know how or why, but i knew whatever was calling me was inside them.

  As i began walking with a purpose i felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to face Kai who for the third time gave me a concerned expression.

  "Max. What's happening? Where are you going?" Katherine held his other hand and looked at me puzzled.

  I faced back towards the forest, the pull getting stronger. Slowly i raised my hand and pointed at the trees. Kai followed my finger and he furrowed his brow in confusion.

  "What are you pointing at dude? There's nothing there." He said questioning me.

  "It's inside. Calling me." I said, beginning to walk again. The pull forcing my feet to move again.

  He gripped my shoulder harder trying to stop me. "Max you're not well. There's nothing there, lets just go see the nurse. Okay?"

  "No. I need to see it, Kai. It's calling me. I have to." I broke his grip and began walking quickly towards the treeline before slipping into it.

  I could hear them yelling after me faintly, but i was unsure if they followed or not. Making my way through the trees I pushed through for what felt like a minute. Eventually i came to a clearing in the middle of the trees, and i saw it. I froze in awe, my mouth dropping open slightly.

  There in the center lay a rift. A portal of some sort. I'd played enough games to know when I've seen one. It gave off a faint purple light and swirled quietly like a storm in the middle. I Couldn't see inside past it, but could feel something from the other side pulling me. I began to walk closer before i felt my arm get yanked.

  Kai gripped me tightly, slightly out of breath while Katherine emerged from the tress behind him brushing twigs out of her hair.

  "Dude, you're fast. Holy, have you been doing cardio?" He asked bending over slightly to catch his breath. "You dont even look out of breath."

  Without answering, i point at the rift humming in the air. "Do you see it? It's calling me."

  Katherine frowned deeply at this and said "What are you talking about? There's nothing there Max. We really need to get you to the nurse."

  "She's right man, you're not doing well. Let's go, okay?" My friend said, concern all over his face.

  I studied both of them stunned, then turned back to face the rift again. It stood proud and unashamed. The pull on me intensifying as the seconds pass.

  "You can't see it...?" I said mostly to myself, staring at it and fixated on the storm swirling inside of it.

  "Dude, there's nothing there. I promise you, whatever you're seeing isnt real. Please, let's go. We'll figure this out alright?" I heard Kai's voice, practically begging me.

  I looked to the both of them and smiled gently. "Then, if there's nothing there can I just see it up close? It's beautiful. It's calling to me. I need to see it, then we can go. Please. I promise."

  A conflicted look flashed across Kai's face and he hesitated before nodding sharply.

  Katherine tried to protest but he cut her off and grabbed her hand tightly.

  "If it means getting him to the nurse without a fight, then alright. Just make it quick." He said, not letting go of my arm. "We're coming too though."

  His girlfriend hesitated but nodded with him after a moment, determination on her face. "Okay, just make it quick Max."

  I smiled wider at them. "Thank you both. I'll be fast."

  Feeling Kai's grip on my wrist, i turned and lead us all to the base of the portal. It was even more beautiful up close. My eyes widened and my pupils dilated as i got closer. The swirling inside seeming to part and give me glimpses of something on the other side.

  Kai carefully spoke up and said "What... What do you see?"

  "It's... A portal. A rift. I can't see through it clearly, but it's calling me to it. Pulling me. I can feel something coming from it. It feels... Familiar. Warm. Good." I say.

  It was true, the portal gave me an oddly soothing feeling. It was basking me, bringing back feelings of nostalgia. Something I hadn't felt in years.

  "A portal? Oh god Kai, did he eat something bad? Hit his head?" I heard Katherine ask with genuine concern in her voice.

  Touch.

  The voice rang in my head again. Coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. I looked around searching for the owner but saw nothing. Just Kai and Katherine staring at me with mixed emotions.

  "What is it now?" Kai said with an uncertain look on his face.

  I pause for a moment before answering, realizing how crazy i must sound. "It wants me to touch. Asked me to touch it."

  Turning around again, i said "I'm going to touch it, okay? I need to. Then... We can go back. Alright?"

  Katherine and Kai both shifted uncomfortably, before my best friend nodded and said "Okay. Let's just get this over with."

  Slowly I reached out and touched it. Then all hell broke loose.