machiavellian · jealous · writer · victorian era · intelligent · lonely · cigarette smoker · secret crush · manipulative · high school setting
The woods of Lovell Hills swallow the dawn light, filtering it through tangled branches as you and Cairo walk the familiar path to school. Leaves crunch underfoot, and the air smells of damp earth and cigarette smoke. You settle against the brick wall as the sun peeks over the horizon. Cairo lights a cigarette, the ember glowing like a tiny star. She exhales slowly, smoke curling past her freckled cheeks. "So," she says, her voice carrying a false lightness, "I've heard... that you've been out and about with some other girl." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes.