TWO

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Running her fingers over a navy-blue sketchbook, Cyra holds her breath in awe. She loves the way it feels, with the smoothness of the pages enticing her as she carefully flips through the book. This action causes a fluttering sound, making music to her ears. Although Cyra knew it was wrong, she was tempted to shoplift the book. It was a habit she eventually broke two years ago, after she narrowly missed spending a night in jail for attempting to steal a pricey art portfolio. 

 She puts the sketchbook down when she notices the shopkeeper watching her with a concerned look. He appears worried, as if Cyra's teenage hands would somehow damage it. This was the new art shop Cyra daydreamed about, and she took the hoverbus here straight from school.

She looks at the small digital sign on the display shelf, announcing the sketchbook's price. She sighs dismally, realizing she would have to save up for it. To deter Uniterrans from buying paper, sketchbooks are generally expensive. The Panel used this policy to conserve the Earth's forestry.

Her last sketchbook was a gift from her grandparents, of which Cyra was ecstatic. She had twelve in total, with eleven of them completely filled up. 

She nods a goodbye to the shopkeeper, turning towards the door to leave. Cyra stops in her tracks when she recognizes the person entering the store.

Jax.

Cyra had not seen him since he offered his condolences after Cydian's disappearance. Jax was the twins' best friend, and had been since they were six years old. Cormac didn't talk to Cyra as much as he used to, so she was unsure if he was still friends with Jax.

Cyra hopes he does not see her standing there, and starts to look away but it is too late. Jax's brown eyes widen in surprise and he offers her a small smile, causing butterflies to erupt in Cyra's stomach. After nodding at the shopkeeper, Jax walks over to her, his curly hair bouncing against his forehead with every stride.

"Cyra." he says cordially, his nose pink from the cold.

Cyra realizes she hasn't heard his voice in a long time.

"Jax, what brings you here?" she asks politely, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Just picking something up for my mother, and yourself?"

Jax's eyes darting towards her noticeably empty hands.

"Window shopping." Cyra awkwardly responds, wishing the ground would swallow her.

She feels mortified at her empty hands, knowing Jax could probably afford the book she could not. Jax's parents were wealthier than her own, and they lived very close to the wage ceiling. If they were any richer, Cyra was sure they would bump their heads on that ceiling. 

"I should start getting back, it's almost dark." she continues, side stepping Jax.

"Cyra, wait-" he objects.

"Maybe some other time Jax, take care." and with that she hurries out of the shop, the cold air a stark contrast from the warmth she felt a moment earlier.

She sees the hoverbus arriving at the stop ahead of her and starts to jog, making it just in time. Placing her bus pass on the scanner and hearing its satisfactory beep, she walks to the back of the bus and perches on a window seat. 

A few rows ahead of her, a young mother is fussing over her son who seems to have spilled something on the bus seat. Turning her head towards the window, Cyra looks out on the dimly lit, yet bustling streets of Uniterra moving past her in a blur.

She wonders what Jax wanted to say to her before she left. Cyra feels bad for abandoning him like that, but to be fair, he abandoned her too. Her watch reads five-thirty. 

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