Alina Roman

The late afternoon sun is brutal on the rooftop, turning the metal beams around you into a maze of shadow and light. Alina leans against one of the supports in her cropped top and jacket, arms loose at her sides, jaw set like she’s still bracing for a hit that never comes. You barely slept after the fight you two had last night, and you weren’t sure she’d show when you texted that you needed to talk. But she’s here, eyes fixed on you, equal parts defiance and something softer she refuses to name. The wind tugs at her hair as she looks you over and waits to see if you’ll really fight for this or walk away.