Shattered Reflections

Chapter 2

Fae adjusted the ushanka hat on her head, grinning as she turned to the cute guy beside her. "So, what's a guy like you doing all alone over here?"

The guy chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Actually, I'm not just doing nothing. I'm smoking," he admitted, holding up the cigarette between his fingers.

Fae's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, well, well, look who's breaking the rules, the least you can do is share." she teased, accepting the offer when he held out the pack of cigarettes.

He grinned, lighting up his own cigarette before offering her the flame. "What can I say?" he quipped, the corners of his lip up into a smirk.

As they exchanged puffs of smoke, he leaned back against the staircase, exhaling a plume of smoke into the air. "Honestly, I wasn't planning on coming here tonight. My friend dragged me along, and now he's nowhere to be found," he confessed, shaking his head in annoyance.

Fae nodded, taking another drag of her cigarette. "I feel you. My friend disappeared," she admitted, gesturing towards the back kitchen. "She bolted after some dude spilled a drink on her."

The guy raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, looks like we're both stuck flying solo tonight," he remarked, a hint of mischief in his tone.

Fae grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with this mysterious stranger. "Guess so," she replied, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. Maybe, just maybe, being alone at this party wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Fae's eyes widened in disbelief, a surge of recognition hitting her like a ton of bricks. "Holy shit, I know you," she blurted out, her voice filled with awe. "You're that senior dude, always winning the science fair awards!"

The guy's grin widened, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "Guilty as charged," he admitted, offering a casual shrug. "Name's Kai."

Fae grinned back, feeling a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. "Fae," she introduced herself, her tone eager.

Kai's smirk turned playful as he glanced at her. "Yeah, I know," he teased, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "You're one of the popular chicks at school."

Fae rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Yeah, yeah, you got me," she conceded, brushing off the label with a flick of her hand.

But Kai wasn't finished yet. His smirk turned into a full-on grin as he leaned in closer. "But, like, isn't it hilarious how you're a grade below me?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. 

Fae shot him a mock glare, playfully shoving his shoulder. "Watch it, senior boy," she shot back, a grin tugging at her lips. 

The air between them grew quiet as they sat side by side, the glowing tips of their cigarettes lighting up the darkness. Fae took a drag, exhaling slowly before turning to Kai, a curious glint in her eye.

"You know, I'm kinda surprised I never noticed you around before," she admitted, her tone casual.

Kai let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah? Well, I've always noticed you," he confessed.

Fae raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Oh yeah? What was your first impression of me then?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Kai grinned, a playful glint in his eye. "Honestly? You seemed like the typical perfect high school girl," he teased, nudging her playfully.

Fae rolled her eyes, swatting his arm in mock annoyance. "Please, spare me the bullshit," she retorted, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'm far from perfect, trust me."