"I rescinded the invitation. He does not deserve the dance," Aella says. When she sees the surrounding question-laden faces, she adds, "it's the utmost of gifts. It burns poisons from one's soul & defends future attack."

4 35

She succoured those unable to inherit the monarchy's good health, waiting for quiet nights that belied serenity as visitors demanded a donation. She of the fae, humming poems to the stars.

9 53

Your wristwatch ticked as a deluge of hydrangeas bloomed in our hearts—a quintessential restoration after years of walking through rusted gardens settled beneath strangers' heavy shoes. 2

8 60

"We are inkblots daubed round the world. No matter how far one's view zooms on another, only our shells may entice strangers. The rest is efficacious upon meeting one's charm."
"You must be fun at parties."

1 36

She was the cynosure of all light in a room, casting sparks you could feel but never see. I thought I'd witnessed a breakthrough once in the cereal aisle—her resurrection—but only felt the emptiness of a complete stranger then.

2 55

We are our parents' lissome offshoot, taught to order kindness and grace from others while our centers boil with banned faces. They say to be careful with quiet ones—we shelter pent up rage—but we tend to implode, not explode.

13 50

Six paper cranes still hang in his bedroom, curtains parted to let light in. The row of houses on his side of the street haven't lost their apathy, feeling that it's incumbent on them to leave their porch lamps on.

4 35

We paced on silent concord, hands connected. I think we'd both grown tired of walking around dern shadows for months on end, hoping someone wouldn't find out and tell our parents everywhere we'd been more than friends.

4 25