365 DAYS

PRELUDE

TWO YEARS AGO

THE SKY WAS WEEPING—its tears rolled down the empty streets, creating silver puddles. I stopped in my tracks and extended my hand outward to feel the drops of rain fall onto my palm. There was an empty feeling of loneliness that crept into the depths of my mind that I couldn't shake off.

Despite my bedraggled and soaked attire, I could feel nothing but the ache in my heart. "What a lovely birthday," I murmured to myself, wondering what Grayson and my father may be doing. They had forgotten both my birthday and the anniversary of my mother's death today. "I'm sorry I forced you to get that toy. I'm sorry."

And as if I expected an answer, I pulled off my hood, closed my eyes and lifted my head toward the sky. My fingers glided down my face as I opened them to gaze at the distant stars hidden behind the ominous clouds. Through the inky sky, a flash rippled and cut the horizon, flickered and died out. The bitter sounds of my laughter faded into the thunder. "Did I mention I'm failing math?"

My footsteps splashed the puddles, listening to the sound of vehicles moving around me as I stood unwilling to move from the road. I wondered how dreadful I must have looked. "Kalea!" A voice yelled through the storm. "Where the hell have you been?"

His voice was my peace, and he was my home. But it didn't belong to me. I tilted back to gaze at him, and even though it was dark out, he was still beautiful. "Leave me alone, Grayson," I pursued my lips, "You're the last person I want to see today."

My heart was wavering, but it reminded me why I was upset in the first place. Grayson never forgot about the importance of today and how miserable I would be. All it took was an offer of sex, and he neglected me. "I'm sorry I forgot," his apology was earnest, but I hated it because it was. "Please, come home."

And the tears fell along with all the bottled emotions I kept buried. I burst out into sobs when warm arms slung around me. But it wasn't because Grayson had forgotten. Truthfully, I had forgiven him the moment I saw him. He was begging me to go home, not knowing that he was already my home—a home that could never belong to me. He would never love me the way I loved him. And I found myself crying harder when I was reminded he was hugging me with the same arms that were around another girl hours before.

My legs swayed, and I gathered all my strength to push my way out of his embrace. "G-Go away," I murmured softly, too tired to be angry with him. "Why? Why are you doing this to me, Grayson? This is unfair."

I had never felt as pathetic as I had until today. Feeling my legs give up, I fell to my knees and hid in my palms. And I felt Grayson's hands lift me into his arms. His heart was racing as one of his fingers kneaded into my hair to massage my head. Lips gently pressed to my forehead, I was stuck in a daze. "Close your eyes and rest," he sighed, and I suddenly couldn't feel the pattering of the rain anymore. "I'm not going anywhere, Kalea, I promise."