Rei was dreaming. She was looking in a mirror at herself, poised to place in pearl earrings. Her dress was a crepe silk number that shifted like water when she moved. Assessing her image, she looked perfect, but her eyes were different. Instead of the rich brown color, they were darkening. She started to panic as her eyes turned from light to dark, shadows creeping in the normally bright apartment. She pressed a hand against the mirror, and the edges of her vision began to blur. Curling her fingers into a fist, she opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. The world began to turn black, as she hit the reflection of herself in the mirror, over and over again.

The first light of dawn was beginning to emerge through the windows of the cabin. Blinking the sleep from her eyes as she turned towards the clock on her nightstand. It was nearing 6:00 AM, almost time to start the day. She felt empty; like that dream had sucked the energy out of her. Staring out the window once more, she decided to take a slower morning. Curling back under the covers, Rei drifted off to sleep once more.

Miso was meowing for food again, waking her for the second time that day. Rei slowly got out of bed, and poured more food into her bowl. Ambling towards the kitchen, she put the teapot on the stove for tea, surprising herself when she found she wanted coffee.

They had gotten back from Zuzu in the afternoon the day before. It was a quiet ride, with Sam and Abigail hungover, and Sebastian brooding. Rei was the one driving, so she could focus on something other than what she sat witness to. Other than how she was making Sebastian feel. She knew she didn't have to tell him anything, but maybe another apology and explanation would be courteous. It was clear he was concerned about her, and wanted to get to know her better. Rei knew she was being extremely difficult.

But how would he react when she told him? What was there even to tell? Hey Sebastian, I'm actually the heiress to the Joja fortune, but my fiancé cheated on me and turned my name into a smear campaign and I had to leave. Also I have major daddy issues. Well, that one he might actually get….

Rubbing tension out of her temple, she began to set out for the heavy load of farm work of the day, anxious at the thought of starting so late. What she didn't expect to see in front of her carefully arranged garden was Sebastian himself, examining a gourd.

"How'd they figure out to eat one of these?" He wondered aloud, sensing her presence.

"I'm figuring out that you're not actually nocturnal and that Robin lied to me."

"My mother is not a liar."

"And you're not a bat."

He gave a dramatic sigh, as if she was being too unreasonable then flashed her another half smile. As usual, it sent little pangs through her heart.

"What's brought you here so early Sebastian?" she asked, but her answer was a large thermos of coffee in his outstretched hand.

"Want some help today? I have the day off."

She blinked. "You can do manual labor?"

"Hmm maybe I'll take my offer elsewhere…I heard Alex needs a spotter at the gym today…."

"You are not picking Alex over me."

He shrugged and she just handed him a watering can. They spent the rest morning harvesting tomatoes and she taught him how to collect honeycomb from the bee houses. It was a little past noon when they had completed jarring. After finishing off the thermos of coffee, Sebastian looked at her.

"This is kinda nice. Very quaint."

"Shut up or I'll make you chop down a tree." He grinned at her sarcastic remark.

"You wanna get out of here for a bit?"

"Where do you have in mind?" She asked. Sebastian pointed towards the end of the road, where a motorcycle stood.

"Huh, you really have that bad boy image going for you."

"Again, Alex's is looking pretty good." She swatted at him as she went to grab a jacket and her backpack.

The feel of the wind rustling through hair, there's a word for it somewhere in the world she thought. She was slightly embarrassed at the way she was draped around Sebastian, clutching his abdomen as he drove. But another part of her was excited. This was thrilling! A boy she had a crush on plus an exciting motorcycle ride? As they rode ever higher into the mountains she felt like yelling out triumphantly. This felt like freedom on a whole other level. Her heart wanted to sing.

They pulled to a slow at a turnout close to the top of a mountain. Rei turned to look at the road, winding down below, disappearing into the trees. The valley was down there. Her whole new life, her new friends, her newfound freedom all on the edge of the world. She turned to look at Sebastian but saw that he was looking in the opposite direction, facing a skyline she knew all too well.

"It's funny, it almost looks nicer from here." She said.

"I used to come out here more often, just take my bike and ride to escape P Town." He started. "I didn't like Demetrius when my mom married him, and resented Maru even because of that. I thought they were replacing my dad. I wanted to move to the city. It held so many more experiences for me."

Rei was silent. She knew he didn't speak much about his family situation, though definitely more than she did. But one thing caught her attention.

"Wanted to move..." she trailed off.

Sebastian turned to look at her. "I don't think the city is right for me. The crowds and the smell were getting to me this last weekend. Plus, there's this girl who just moved here and she's super mysterious. I want to get to know her better, maybe she'll tell me her secrets one day."

She blushed, and didn't try to hide it as she gazed at him. His hair was falling in his face at such an angel that it made him look softer. Maybe it was the setting sun, or her sudden rosy world view but she could've sworn Sebastian was the most beautiful person she had ever stumbled upon. His eyes were lit up, in a way that when she had first met him, she had never seen before. It was almost innocent….but as soon as the thought flitted through her mind a darker one came. Her face in the mirror in her dream flashed through her mind. He deserves that light, he doesn't need to know my baggage, it'll surely taint it.

Swallowing her resolve she laced her fingers through his, tilting her head up. He brought her closer, leaning forward to meet her. I'll tell him later, she promised as she responded to his sweet kiss.