Jake cast her a look as he blew out smoke, a straight and narrow stream that filled the moment with something other than silence. His features didnāt budge from the scowl even when he dove his hand into his pocket for his lighter, which he held out to her without any fanfare. āHere,ā he said gruffly, gaze sliding away already.
Ari noted his expression, rubbing her cheek as if to wipe the bitterness away. Some people were just angry, she supposed. Plucking it from his fingers with enough care to not graze the flesh, she lit up, tipping her head back so the smoke drifted above her.Ā āThanks.ā They didnāt have to speak, it was comfortable enough to just sit somewhere, and the brunette offered her hand back to the boy, the lighter in her palm.Ā āIām Ari, by the way.ā















