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Human Rain Cloud: You miss me too.

Me: Delusional.

Human Rain Cloud: Your favorite kind.

I bite back a laugh.

Human Rain Cloud: Good luck tonight, Princess. Go remind the world what beauty looks like.

For a moment, the chaos around me fades.

I look toward the window again, imagining his black-and-white hair, his warm brown eyes, and the way he looks at me as if he never wants to look away.

Me: Miss you, too, human rain cloud.

I hit send before I can overthink it and his reply comes almost instantly.

Human Rain Cloud: Fuck. Come back soon.

I press my phone against my chest, smiling like an idiot.

“Artemis,” Mika calls from across the room. “Why are you grinning?”

“I’m not.”

Orly snorts. “She’s been smiling at her phone for five minutes.”

Whatever.

I glance at the screen one last time.

“See you soon, Stephen,” I whisper.

And for the first time in my life, a runway isn’t the thing I’m most excited to walk toward.

It’s the heart waiting for me when I come home.

chat

Khaos: I need another favor.

Junie: This should be good.

Khaos: I need Artemis’ mother’s number.

Junie: You’re asking me for her mother’s number?

Junie: What for?

Khaos: Now… Junie.

Junie: Are you about to do something insane?

Khaos: Most likely.

Junie: Give me ten minutes.

Junie: I’m charging you double for this btw.