The boy coughs as he enters the garage, probably because of the sudden change in atmosphere, but follows behind her anyway, keeping a smile on his face despite his difficulty in breathing properly.

She smirks to herself.

"Hey fireball, what's up?" Garan asks her, a small smile on his face.

Garan had been the only kind one out of her new family. The problem was that his trade job required him to be all over the world, with only a moment's notice. He wasn't here to save her from Adri. And when he was here, he was organising the business or working in the garage. Not that she blamed him for doing that...

She glares at him, "Just because you're technically in charge doesn't mean I won't throw something at you."

"Yes it does." he laughs, "Who's that?"

Cinder curses, "I knew I forgot to ask something..."

"Name?" Garan asks the boy.

"Kai."

He doesn't reply with a sentence, either because he still can't breathe properly, because he's mirroring Garan or because he's being efficient.

She hasn't heard the name before but, then again, she's never met anyone like him either. It suits him anyway – a mystical name that sounds deep, intelligent and bright.

"Are you looking for your bag?" Garan asks.

Kai nods.

Garan frowns sadly, "I'm afraid that it was crushed..."

Kai's eyes widen, "Can I see?"

Cinder feels for Kai as Garan hands him a crushed, ripped schoolbag. Strangely, he doesn't seem too bothered, more worried than upset. All he takes from it is a black spiral notebook, two pens and a Rubik cube.

He slips the pens in his pocket and transfers the notebook to his other arm so he's holding the moon book and the notebook in the same hand. With his other hand, he fiddles with the Rubik cube.

"You sure that's all you want?" Garan asks.

Kai nods, "Yes, thank you."

Cinder gives Garan a look, which he correctly translates and leaves the two of them to walk back.

"Thanks," Kai says.

"My pleasure." she's never used that phrase more truthfully.

"So, what school do you go to?" Kai asks as they're walking back.

Cinder cringes, "Um, I don't."

Kai, to his credit, doesn't seem to find this weird and smiles, "Are you home-schooled?"

She almost laughs at his obliviousness and nods so that she doesn't dampen his spirit and ruin his crazy perfect smile, "Yeah, exactly."

He grins, "Is it nice to have a peaceful schooling?"

Cinder thinks about how to reply.

She could just lie and agree but it might not seem realistic. And anyway, how can she say that she'd rather have those pointless dramas than the ones she faces at home? How can she tell him that she'd rather have all the annoying classmates than her sisters? How can she tell him she'd willingly take any type of school as opposed to none?

"Uh, yeah, I guess so." She settles with a vague answer, cringing anyway.

"At what time are you done with school?" Kai asks, still smiling at her.

"Normal time; we like to keep it similar, you know?"

Kai smiles, "I wouldn't really know, I've not been home-schooled before."

"Why does it matter anyway?" Cinder asks.

Kai shrugs, "I thought you might want to hang out?"

Cinder's heart almost misses a beat but she manages to smirk, "And why would I want to do that?"

Kai looks slightly hurt at first but shrugs it off, seeing the frivolous spark in her eyes, "Just why wouldn't you?"

She might have to buy herself a new heart if he keeps fluttering his eyelashes and smirking at her like that. She might even have to reboot her whole brain if she spends any more time with him.

Because holy nuts and bolts, the coppery colour in his eyes seems to shine brighter than embers as they walk back into the main part of the shop.

Cinder throws her hands up, "Fine, you win."

"Oh, good. Um, how should I communicate with you?"

Cinder laughs, "Communicate?"

Kai blushes, his fair skin taking on a rosy tint, "Sorry."

Cinder chuckles, "I don't have a phone so..."

He looks genuinely worried, "You don't?"

She shakes her head, "No, I've never needed one. I can email you though."

"Okay, do you know your email?"

"You don't know yours?" she retorts.

"Of course I do!" he exclaims, then smiles sheepishly, "I'm not allowed to give it out."

Allowed? Cinder frowns at the word but puts it down to him having strict parents.

She grabs his arm, swallows her guilt as he initially flinches, and grabs a sharpie, quickly scribbling down her email in what she hopes is legible handwriting.

"Thanks. I'll get back to you later!" Kai promises.

"We'll see." she grins to herself.

"Do you doubt me?" he asks, raising his eyebrow in a perfect arch.

Cinder shrugs. "How should I know?"

Kai frowns. "How should you know if you're doubting yourself?"

"What? No. How should I know if you can keep your promise?"

Kai laughs with her but then smirks. "Of course I can keep my promise."

Cinder shrugs, believing that most promises people make are selfish and hard to keep. But the determined look in his eyes is almost enough to restore her faith in humanity.

Or at least some of it.

"I'll believe you once I get an email," Cinder says.

She can't remember the last time she's been so forward with anyone, especially a boy. Or so awkward...

"I'll send it!" Kai assures her with an optimistic grin.

She nods absently, then watches as he whacks his head on the glass door again with a soft groan. Cinder tries her best not to laugh, she really does.

"I promise I will, princess!" he calls over his shoulder as he leaves, barely avoiding a third collision with the door.

Cinder's tanned cheeks blaze pink, a warmth spreading through her veins as a result of his nickname for her.

She realises with a jolt that he had no choice but to give her a nickname because she didn't tell him her actual name.

Already fluff and it's only the second chapter? Kinder is just adorable though... I bet y'all are too <3