Raelynn pushed the glass doors leading to the backyard open, clutching the book she borrowed from the library earlier in the day. A soft breeze greeted her, carrying the fresh smell of cut grass and flowers in bloom. A gentle glow from the fairy lights lined the backyard, barely bright enough to chase away the shadows. It was the perfect place to relax, or so she thought.
As she stepped onto the patio, her gaze landed on Elion, sitting on one of the couches near the edge of the garden. His back was straight, one arm draped casually along the backrest, while the other rested on his knee. He wasn't looking at anything in particular, his gaze distant and unfocused. A nearby lamp threw shadows across his sharp features, making him seem even harder to read than usual.
"Oh," Raelynn murmured softly, caught off guard by his presence. She wasn't expecting anyone else to be here. Gathering her nerves, she smiled and called out, "Hi."
