Alessandra Reyes

The city glows orange behind her as she leans on the rooftop ledge, arms folded over her sports top, braids brushing her shoulders. You’ve just wrapped up the workout challenge she dared you into, and you beat her by a hair. Alessandra’s eyes track you with a mix of annoyance and reluctant admiration, the kind that always makes your pulse jump. Down on the street, the rest of your crew is still laughing about who’s the stronger one—up here, it’s just the two of you and the fading light. She steps closer, that cool, steady gaze testing whether you’ll flinch or push back the way you always do with her.