My Girlfriend, Boyfriend

And running shoes." Now, Mateo stood under a broken awning, clutching a backpack of supplies, his breath fogging the air. Across the street, Clara crouched in t

spray can. Its label read MIDNIGHT BLACK. "We're ta

ve the door. "It's got a blind spo

"Observing ag

apt

nciling a sunflower whose roots cracked the marble beneath Hayes' feet. Their shoul

ttered, stepping back to

ding for the Cedar Hill Community Center.

. "How'd you

ened. "She'd be proud. You're not

councilman's name with "BLOOD MONEY" in jagged crimson. Her weight was warm

lence. Blue lights fl

They sprinted into an alley, cans clattering in his backpack.

ra's braid snagged on the metal; she cursed, yanking it free. Mate

against a dumpster. "Admit it-this beats sk

dled at the entrance, its engine purring. The window rolled down, revealing

was smooth, edged with amusement.

froze.

between them.

She stepped forward, chin

ral at the protest? Provocative. I have a gallery space that c

ushing the scissors stencil in

the vandalized councilman's office. "Imagine your m

widened. "Tick-tock, Clara. Bill 207 passes next week.

. He clenched his fists, the scissors doodle on his wri

ord like a marble. "Cute." The win

reath uneven. "He's connecte

urn your scissors into paperwei

ward the street. "Let's go.

er doorstep, Clara paused. "You were right. About the camera's blind spo

ell sharp in his palm.

tag, her face lit by defiance and the BMW's cold glare. On th

man Hayes condemns tonight's vandali

his wrist. Amplifying, Eric