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After the day she’d caught me swiping the leftover food, I’d seen her watching me when she thought I wasn’t looking. I was no stranger to the enjoyment of the finer sex. I wasn’t one to turn down an offer if I got one—who didn’t want the distraction of a willing body to remind you that you hadn’t just been made for suffering? But somehow I sensed Tenleigh wasn’t watching me with that kind of interest. She looked at me as if she was working out some kind of puzzle—as if she wanted to know me. And I couldn’t help wanting to know why.
She had this quiet about her—something soothing, a strange mix of strength and vulnerability. She was beautiful—I’d definitely noticed that too—but her beauty was obviously something she didn’t put much effort into, which made her even more appealing. To me at least. She didn’t wear any makeup and her hair was generally held back in a simple ponytail. She obviously didn’t consider her looks to be her most valuable asset. And it made me wonder what was. Her smarts? Maybe. Not that she had a chance of winning that scholarship. I’d been working on it since before I even started high school. I had even studied all the past winners’ accomplishments and made sure I had every single box checked. I needed that scholarship. My whole life depended on it. So as far as what it was about Tenleigh that interested me so much, it didn’t matter. I’d be leaving soon and I’d never look back, not at beautiful, green-eyed Tenleigh Falyn or anyone else.
So why couldn’t I stop thinking about her?
After a little bit, I dragged my backpack up on my bed and got my textbooks out. I had to stay on track. I only had six months until the school announced the winner of the scholarship that would get me out of this godforsaken shithole, away from the hopelessness, away from the hunger, away from the mine where my father and older brother had lost their lives in the pitch blackness miles under the earth.
I spotted Tenleigh a few days later as she walked ahead of me toward the road leading to our homes. She had a book in her hands and was reading as she walked. One of these days, she was going to trip and break her neck. I lagged behind, watching her as she walked. I figured I owed her a little something for what she’d done for me. I could make sure she got home safe from school. Lord knew she’d never spot danger approaching with her nose plastered to the page of a book. But I’d make sure she didn’t see me. I’d make sure I never spoke to Tenleigh again. It was just better that way.
I was taken aback when she suddenly took a turn onto a forest path. What the hell? I stood on the road for a minute, watching her disappear into the woods. That girl would deserve it when a bobcat ate her. I let out a frustrated breath and followed her.
I’d been down this trail before. I’d been down every trail on this mountain either with my brother when he’d still been alive or on my own. But I had no idea what Tenleigh was doing because there was nothing this way except for the abrupt edge of a limestone cliff.
After five minutes or so of trudging along the narrow path, I came out through the trees. Tenleigh’s back was mostly to me as she stood staring out at the setting sun, the horizon glowing orange and yellow, white rays emerging from the clouds as if heaven had broken through.
The colorful sky stretched before us magnificent, as if it was trying to make up for the ugliness of our lives, our constant struggles. And for just the briefest, most fleeting of moments, maybe it did. If only I could grasp it and make it stay. If only I could grasp anything good and make it stay.
Tenleigh sat down on a rock and looked out at the glowing sunset. I began walking toward her and her head turned to me abruptly as she let out a little shriek, bringing her hand to her chest, her eyes wide. “Good gosh! You scared me! Again. What is it with you?”
“Sorry.” I went and sat down next to her.
She rolled her eyes and leaned back, putting her hands behind her on the rock, staring out at the sky once again. She remained quiet for a minute. Finally she looked at me, raising one eyebrow. “I suppose you think if you keep showing up where I am, eventually I’ll fall in love with you.”
An amused laugh bubbled up my throat, but I remained serious. Tenleigh constantly surprised me. And I loved it. “Very probable.”
