Smoke and Petals

In the Deep South during World War II, love blooms where it shouldn't.

Jame Thoma-J.T. to most-is a teenager caught between identities. The son of American and Australian heritage, he's spent his life on the edge of belonging, watching the world divide itself into sides. When the war reaches their sleepy town and soldiers ship off one by one, J.T. expects to follow-but everything changes the day Naomi walks into his classroom.

Naomi, quiet and composed, is the daughter of Japanese immigrants trying to keep their heads down in a place that sees them as the enemy.

Against all odds, a fragile connection forms. One built on pinky promises, shared books, and secret glances when no one's looking. But the world is looking.

With war raging overseas and prejudice rising at home, J.T. must choose: keep quiet, or stand up for the girl who taught him what love really means.

In a world of smoke and fire, can something as delicate as a petal survive?