Mira sat on the edge of her porch, a steaming mug of coffee cupped between her hands like a lifeline. Dawn had just cracked open the sky, spilling pale gold across the lawn and turning the world soft around the edges. Everything felt hushed, as though the neighborhood itself was holding its breath after yesterday’s storm. From the end of the block came Eli’s laughter—bright and unfettered—echoing off the houses like a promise of normalcy.
She let the sound wash over her, closing her eyes. The mug warmed her hands, and she drank slowly, savoring the earthy bitterness she needed. It reminded her that life went on: pancakes to make, school to go to, decisions to be made with clear eyes. She breathed in the crisp morning air, letting it fill her lungs. Underneath that placid exterior, though,
