Beautiful People Linkup--February

Happy Valentine's Day! :) And since we're celebrating love in all its forms today, I'd like to reference an old blog post of mine about my favorite OTPs. Click HERE to read it.

Now onto the main post, Cait's "Beautiful People" linkup. This month's linkup is a special Valentine's Day edition about couples in your stories. I'll be writing about Kya and Lane in my YA contemporary romance Beneath the Moon and Stars. I might ship them more than any other couples I've created. ;)

The cover I created.

1. How long have they been a couple?



Kya and Lane meet at the beginning of the book, and since I don't want to give away the ending for those of my readers who are beta reading it, I don't want to give away what happens. ;) The book takes place from about early December to the middle of January, so do with that what you will.

2. How did they first meet?



In a grocery store called "Jake's" in Kya's town. Jake's is small, dark, dirty, and in the middle of a bad neighborhood. Homeless people and gang members often hang out there, so it's not exactly a destination for a rich boy like Lane. Lane's grocery store, Lou's, was out of his favorite flavor of ice cream, which was why he went to Jake's in the first place. He continues to go to Jake's even after Lou's restocks their shelves so he can see Kya.

3. What were their first thoughts of each other? (Love at first sight or 
 “you’re freakishly annoying”?)


For Lane it was definitely love at first sight. Kya tends to be more wary of people, so while she was nice enough, it took a little bit for Lane to convince her that he wasn't a serial killer.

4. What do they do that most annoys each other?


Lane can't stand how self-deprecating Kya is, to the point where she beats herself up over the tiniest things. Kya hates it when Lane tries to get her to run away from her abusive stepfather, Marcus, because she's told him time and time again that she can't leave her mother, and she's worried that Marcus would find her anyway.


5. Are their personalities opposite or similar?


They're both extremely witty and sarcastic, both like books and art and music, and both have problems at home (though Kya's is infinitely more dangerous). Lane, however, is more confident and outgoing while Kya has been beaten down so often--physically and mentally--that she's nervous and timid.

6. How would their lives be different without each other?


Kya would have no friends outside of school. She would be constantly stressed out and have no one who could relax her or cheer her up. Lane wouldn't have any intellectually stimulating friends, no one who was his equal in conversations. He'd be bored out of his mind at home with his mother's snobby, gossiping party guests.


7. Are they ever embarrassed of each other?


Never.

8. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?

HA. Yes. Lane's mother, Christine, loathes Kya. Kya is a source of shame for her, someone she has to hide away when anyone comes to visit. She pretty much spends the whole book trying to break the two of them up.

9. Do they see their relationship as long-term/leading to marriage?


Lane, always the optimist, definitely thinks long-term. Kya, with Marcus dictating her life for her, likes to take things one step at a time, hour by hour, day by day. She can't set herself up for something that might not happen, and therefore pushes any possible thoughts she has about long-term relationships/marriage out of her mind.

10. If they could plan the “perfect outing” together, where would they go?

Paris. England. Spain. Italy. Somewhere exotic and far away from where they live now. They'd paint and sing and read and eat good food. They'd explore small towns and back roads and get to know the locals. They'd stay up late and sleep in and not even bother making the bed.

Tell me about your couples! I'd love to hear about them in the comments. :)