t sleep muc

kept echoing

ike they're waiting fo

anger look into

her grief. But Kai hadn't asked questions. He didn't flinch at

rain tapping on the window lik

nto her bag, and walked down to the corner ca

on rolls. She picked the seat by the window-her sister's

ll above the

ntil she heard the scrape of a cha

was

a

in. He didn't say a word-just sat across from her

now?" Elena asked,

w chuckle. "

cky

it wasn't awkward this time

aw something last nig

d. "You were

ed. "Just

e a small, un

since... before,"

ack. "Yeah.

what "before" meant. And someho

chbook. Her fingers trembled as she fli

r carefully bu

ight strokes. A wave. A s

athing

he page. "You

ideways glance.

hy

not ready t

the window. "

found herself staring at t

't touc

lik

t not fully. Pre

't alone in her e

he day feel a l

dow, sketchbook in hand, and for

ished a

fect. It wasn

t was

irst time in

eel complete

contin