hin, and the stars brightened overhea

is thoughts weren't on the night's warmth or the food. They were still wrapped around Kaia's voice-ho

're

was smooth

tur

ri

chlight, her hair twisted into gold-accented braids, skin

, stepping closer. "T

d a quiet

, eyes flicking over his frame wit

e said

head. "Where

ocean in the distanc

, thrown off.

ey tel

orced. "Well, maybe I

't smile

ready drifting away,

is gaze-and saw

a

g a strand of hair behind her ear, la

tightened

the Solens?" she as

es

.. inter

dn't r

gain soon, Ash," Zaria

dn't

d with a flick of her dress and walk

d, Kaia notice

oticed how long Zaria

h h

est. Something unfamiliar. No

Like a door closin

ved behind the school. Her performance was over, and she needed a

expect to s

nging tree, sketching somethi

up and saw her,

es lit, ju

. "Did you

brow. "I was

beside him, careful to leave space betwee

said, "I saw you

her. "She intr

lways

hy she said that.

nt longer, then said, "Y

her cheeks warmi

"You feel it.

t answer.

ance between them. Not close enough to t

swall

t remember anyth

head slowly. "

feeli

, and said quietly, "This. Ri

turned to him, eyes wide

a curl behind her ear. His fingers lingered

art th

st, not bold. Just

idn't

d hers. Soft. H

d never kissed anyone. Didn't k

deepen it. He just stayed th

kissed

lips tremblin

fect. It wasn

was t

er eyes stayed closed

e looke

y," she w

r w

eally know ho

ne. Small. Gentle.

ce after that, bu

ll of som

m a distance, hid

follow

seeing th

urled tight a

no idea what sh