Prologue

Most people stared.

That's why she knew he was okay when he blew smoke into her face from his cigarette, his eyes never straying from her pouting lips to peer at her head. That's why instead of ignoring him when he said "Hey", she replied.

"Hi."

Alraieze Baine liked rainy days, coca-cola flavored chapstick, and quiet cafes with dim lighting. Kai Johnson liked dark grey jeans, peaches, and the smell of tobacco. Occasional hallway glances, bitten lips, and tilted heads were supposed to be the extent of their relationship. Some days it was a smirk or a sad smile and some days it was nothing at all.

But today, well, it was something.