High school crush

Julian moved to the window and looked out over the city. It felt dangerous and raw, as though something was always about to explode. He hated that feeling. He hated that it had followed Ares and dragged his mother into it. He turned back when he heard the quiet sound of shoes on linoleum.

Chloe stood in the doorway, as if she had appeared from nowhere. She wore a long dark coat, collar turned up against the cold, and a cigarette smoldered between her fingers. The smoke hung ...