The academy gates stood tall behind Kyle.
He shifted on his feet, trying to get comfortable. He had a bag hung on his shoulder.
Inside the bag was a coloring book. Not just any coloring book.
One with magical beasts and floating castles. Full of swirling colors and enchanted places.
It had glittery pages and tiny sticker stars. He'd picked it out from a small shop near campus.
The wind tugged at his hair, and the sky overhead was cloudy. The kind of gray that came before a light rain.
He checked his phone again. Still no new messages.
Then, in the distance. He saw her.
Mira Farrow walked slowly toward him. Her steps looked tired, like each one took effort.
Her red hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, and a few strands had come loose, falling around her face.
She looked pale. Her eyes were red and puffy. With dark circles under them like bruises that hadn't faded.
"Hey," she said quietly, her voice a little rough.
"Hey," Kyle replied, just as softly.
