The rain started quietly.
Not dramatic. Not cinematic thunder crashing against the windows. Just a soft tapping against the glass that deepened slowly as evening settled over the apartment.
Lila barely noticed at first.
She was halfway through complaining about Maya's newest obsession with lip gloss trends while her mother watched television with the volume slightly too loud.
"And then she said coral is making a comeback," Lila said, opening a bag of chips Leo had brought home. "Like coral ever left. Coral is immortal."
Their mother snorted softly.
Leo dropped onto the couch beside them with a tired sigh, loosening the collar of his shirt. "You girls have terrifying conversations."
"We're cultured," Lila corrected.
"You're terrifying."
"You love us."
Unfortunately true.
The apartment smelled like buttered popcorn and rain drifting through the slightly open kitchen window. Warm lighting softened the tiny living room, turning everything gold around the edges.
