The morning of Family Day arrived too quickly.
She stood in front of her mirror longer than necessary, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her dress, tying and untying her hair twice, then letting it fall loose again.
Too much effort felt dangerous.
Too little felt like dishonesty.
She settled somewhere in between.
At Ethan’s house, Noah bounced from foot to foot, already wearing his backpack even though school wouldn’t start for another hour.
“You’re late,” he announced when she walked in.
“I’m early,” she said.
“No, you’re emotionally late.”
Ethan blinked. “What does that mean?”
Noah shrugged. “I don’t know. My teacher says it.”
She laughed, nerves loosening just a little.
Ethan handed her a cup of tea.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“I think so.”
“You don’t have to stay the
