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Holy shit Was she right? No one had ever told him before Was that how his mother had always knohen he skipped school, hit his brothers, or snuck in after curfew? "That’s ridiculous You’re bluffing"

She shrugged, but her face danced with delight "Think whatever you want I’ you Anyway, back to your intense face Take the night off before you try to get off on another project"

This tihing fit Crap, he had to get out of here He was beginning to spiral down "Good idea How about we head to My Place to celebrate? My brothers will be there"

She stood up, discarding her trash and brushing off the cruoing to head ho week"

He wanted to try to change her ht She needed a night to relax on her own, especially since Becca was over at a friend’s house

But that wouldn’t change his plans for later

They drove home, but this time their trip was filled with chatter and discussion instead of charged silence He turned into her driveway, noting her porch light flickering on and off

"Thanks for driving I’ll touch base with you and-- What are you doing?"

He’d already cli you to the door It’s dark, and your light is out"

She slammed the car door and walked over to hihtbulb"

"So do I Becca’s not ho you’re safe inside You should get a dog"

She sighed but let him accompany her "I have an alarhts to Becca She’s been torturing uy? You wouldn’t even let s"

"That was on the cohed and opened the door before quickly tapping out the code to her alar the siave a visitor His space was kept ruthlessly neat and organized, but he liked the joyous clutter of Sydney’s hohed in Every object was used and held solobes to the colorful vases filled with cheerful daisies and the explosion of vibrant throw pillows A painting of a rowboat washed ashore on the beach hung slightly askew The kitchen table held piles of books and crayon kits, a red Nintendo DS, glittery nail polish bottles, and three stuffed ani pink

"Sorry, it’s always a bit of a ed around in the closet and ree it for you"

"You don’t have-- Okay" She broke off when he plucked the bulb from her hand and went outside It took hie it out, and he was surprised at the satisfaction from such a simple task Underneath his civilization lurked a caveman, content to take care of his woe and stuffed it in the recyclables

"Thank you I appreciate it," she said

"Where’s my meat?"