Chapter 3

That night, Kisha Prince slept in Jarrett Sheppard's room.

Alayna knew they were a couple. She knew it was normal for them to stay together. But the quiet, ambiguous sounds that floated through the house in the dead of night kept her awake.

She lit another cigarette, watching the smoke curl around her slender fingers before taking a deep drag. It tasted bitter and acrid, just like her feelings.

The next morning, Alayna came downstairs with swollen eyes.

"Alayna!" Kisha called out, pulling her to sit on the sofa. A faint red mark was visible on Kisha's neck. "Your brother's birthday is coming up. I want to throw him a party. Do you know what style he likes?"

Kisha's question pulled Alayna back to the present. She couldn't help but remember a conversation she and Jarrett had once had.

She had told him she loved the sound of the waves, and how it reminded her of her harmonica music. That day, Jarrett had promised they would always spend birthdays by the sea.

"We agreed to go to the beach..." Alayna started to say.

"Let's just have a party at home," Jarrett interrupted, his eyes fixed on Kisha. "Kisha likes it lively."

Alayna lowered her head and swallowed her bitter porridge.

After breakfast, Alayna prepared to go out to handle her visa.

"Where are you going?" Jarrett asked.

"To run some errands."

"Alayna, you just graduated high school. Don't get mixed up with the wrong people and start dating too early," Jarrett warned sternly.

Kisha laughed coquettishly beside him. "Oh, it's normal for girls to date when they grow up. Jarrett, don't be so fierce."

Alayna didn't explain. She turned and walked into the rain.

On the way, she scrolled through Jarrett's social media.

He had posted a new photo: a wedding picture of them kissing in the rain. The caption read: [Rainy days are perfect for going public. Please guide me for the rest of my life.]

Alayna stood under the eaves of the visa office, looking at the photo, her heart dead.

She calmly typed two words: [Congratulations.]