Page 350 of Rage

I glance up. And it’s him.

“Good morning, Kath.” Rhett flashes me a smile as grand as the famous canyon.

Chapter Three

Katherine

17 Years Old

Amilestone has been reached. I’ve been in the same foster home for nearly a year. I’ve eaten so many pancakes in that time that I’m pretty sure I’m at least seventy-five percent pancake at this point.

And the best part? Rhett is still here, too.

We have most of the same classes together at school and we’re constantly together. Seeing him again after several years apart was something that shocked my system. After the initial shock, however, I was so ecstatic that I nearly pissed my pants./ Debbie and Daniel weren’t alarmed that we knew one another. We were both orphans after all and all orphans know each other apparently.

Seeing Rhett, and even living with him has been a dream come true. We were friends, good friends, before, but now we don’t talk to other people or have other friends. We have each other, and that’s all we need.

He gives me this feeling deep in my gut and in my heart that makes me settled, content. I’m happy here. Even the foster family’s kids are nice to me. They’re sweet little kids who arein elementary school and just want to be included with us “big kids”. It’s endearing, if not a little annoying. Debbie even gave the both of us permission to tell her real kids “no”. Talk about an improvement over other foster placements I’ve been in.

But Rhett. Just thinking about him makes my heart giddy. It pounds in my chest, vibrant and alive for the first time in what feels like forever. Walking back from school now, we’re on our regular route. “How was your day, Kath? Break any hearts?” He asks me this question every single day. It’s a running joke between us at this point.

I shake my head, glancing at him from the corner of my eye as we continue down the cracked sidewalk. “Nope, sure didn’t. What about you?”

He turns his megawatt smile on me, it’s whiteness blinding. How he gets his teeth so perfect is a wonder to me. Mine aren’t necessarily yellow, but they definitely don’t look likethat.

“Sure didn’t, had one girl on my mind too often to give a shit about anyone else.”

“Oh, just one girl, huh?” I tease, already knowing how the conversation will play out.

“Just a singular girl, Kath.” He winks.

“And who is this girl you’re speaking of? Do I know her?”

We pass a large field, the building that was once there long since gone. Thousands of dandelions litter the field. Rhett scoops down low and plucks several stems from the lush grass. He turns to me, spinning on his heel, offering the displaced dandelions to me in a flourish. “For you, my singular lady,” he sings.

I feign astonishment, bringing my hand to my forehead. “Oh my God, Rhett, you shouldn’t have,” I cry.

“Only the best florals for my lovely woman.” He stands quickly, rushing me. His lips graze mine as I sink into him. The dandelions are crushed against our chests, but I’ll still cherishtheir crinkled petals. They’ll be placed in the box under my bed where all of our dandelions go. Every single day, at least during the right season, I have two or three, maybe even four to add to the ever-growing box of stems and petals.

We’ve been talking about our future lately. The dandelions are a promise of that, of our shared future where we can fully be together. It’s difficult having to hide this part of ourselves when we’re at home with the foster family. But it’s something we’ve agreed we’ve agreed to do. And it’ll be worth it in the end.

Chapter Four

Katherine

1 Week Before 18th Birthday

It’s the time of day when the sun sinks into the horizon slowly. It dips lower with each breath we take. The sun casts an orange glow around the street, the taller buildings silhouetted against the sky. The air is crisp, but enjoyable with the sweater I threw on. I grip it tighter as a gust of wind blows through my hair.

“You’re in your own land again, Kath.”

I smile, a shyness washing over me as his words coat my skin. “I’m admiring the sunlight, appreciating the wind.” My eyes float to him, looking up until I meet his gaze. His eyes are a wondrous shade of green, bright and warm. His hand catches mine and we continue down the block. “What do you think of the sunset?”

Rhett wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me tightly against him and dipping his head against my crown. “I think the sunset is beckoning us to walk into it, to feel its warmth. I think the sun is going home after being high in the sky all day.” We pause on the sidewalk, his hand cupping my cheek. “I think the sun’s brilliance highlights the darkness of your hair.” He runs his fingers through my long mane, his fingertips pullingon the ends with a gentle tug. “As dark as the closet we were in that one time.”

A giggle falls from my lips. “Of course, you’d remember that closet!” I playfully shove his shoulder and strong arms twine around my torso, bringing me impossibly closer. I fold my arms around him and lay my hands across the base of his spine.

“Now, how could I possibly forget our very first kiss?” He pecks my nose quickly then returns to press his lips against mine.

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