I sit cross-legged on my bed amid five open textbooks, comparing my notes and highlights for the paper I need to write. I’ve read it all multiple times, but the details are blurring together. f**k.
I sigh as I bring my pen to my mouth, and I chew on the end of it. My phone buzzes next to me, and I peer down to see a text from Lily. I’ll write her back later. I have to finish this paper. I’m going to lose my mind if I have to continue to read the same s**t over and over.
Voices from beyond my bedroom door catch my attention.
I hear Ben say, “He’s in his room.”
Just great.
My bedroom door swings open and then shuts loudly. The soft sound of deliberate strides, so angry in nature, fills my room like I never thought steps across carpet could do.
I look up from my textbooks. “Hi, Dad.” My
