Flip Side

Kalix had his body stolen by someone else for an unknown reason. Then, for another unknown reason, one day he suddenly got his body back. Not only his body, but time itself had been rewound—Kalix found himself returned to the moment just before his body was taken, right at the time of his admission to the Academy.

But because of the experience of having his body stolen, Kalix had developed a deep distrust of people and self-loathing, isolating himself from everyone—even from his own self. And yet, during this time, Alexander, the very man who had killed him when his body was stolen, began to slowly appear in Kalix’s life.

***

“Alexander Clifford.”

“Alex.”

Kalix always called Alexander by his full name, or sometimes just by his surname. Each time, Alexander would correct him, insisting he use his first name instead. Why was he so insistent on forcing this false intimacy?

“Like this.”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t pretend we’re close.”

“Keep your distance.”

At Kalix’s sharp words, Alexander replied briefly—

“Star.”

Not even a full sentence, just that single, meaningless word. And yet, Kalix suddenly felt exposed.

First-Love