ed, before it all came rushing back- the move, the awkward

ng downstairs. The voices hit me before I even stepped into the kitchen- my mom's bright and chipper tone, P

rway, suddenly feeling

when she spotted me. "Good mo

trick barely glanced at me, busy buttering a piece of toast. But his pr

ded me, her eyes sparkling like it was the

ed. "Do we re

ning look. "Yes. It's

a tiny pang of solidari

ell to his shoulders and jeans that looked like they'd been lived in. He caught me looking once, and our

filled with sleek furniture and way too many people in designer clothes. Mom introduced me to a carous

't ditch me, though he looke

rning to him, "how are you adjus

tensed. "It's.

y mimosa, barely cov

us. "I'm sure you two will

, I wondered if he was about to make some snide comment. But he sur

unch hell. Patrick and I ended up in the backseat of his dad's

something,"

h with the Stepford Wiv

glance at him. "Thanks for not thr

, serious. "You d

he said it-quiet, firm

s time. Easier. Like maybe, just maybe, we were start

he car for a second, watching Patrick as he headed tow

sked, raisin

ickly, brushing past

t all. And deep down, I knew it was only

-

busy, though my thoughts kept circling back to Patrick- his quiet strength, h

round me as a cool breeze brushed against my skin. The sky was streaked with soft pink and gold

iliar voice drawl

orframe, hands shoved into his pockets. His eyes, usual

ted with a small smi

g the door click shut behi

, staring out at the quiet yard. The silence between us fe

it first. "Y

perfect life or anything, but... it was fa

lt the same when my dad married you

ed by the honesty. "You d

invisible point in the distanc

re was something oddly comforting about standing there

ll get used to it," he said, voice low. "And... if anyone

rds hanging between us,

hispered, mee

of us- the quiet, the closeness, the warmth of his arm brushin

head in before they

he spell bre

s we went our separate ways- him to his room, me to mine- I couldn't shake the feeling that

-