Carol was leaning against her car when I came out. It had only been a day since I last saw her but it felt like a week already. A painful week.
She wore a loose pink hoodie and her short blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun. The sight of her made my chest tighten. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now.
“Hey,” she said when our eyes met.
I let out a slow sigh “Hey”
She tilted her head, studying me. “You look tired. Puffy eyes and all. Didn’t sleep?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
“I figured.” She smiled faintly, then nodded toward the house. “Can we go inside? I don’t feel like talking on the street.” Typical Carol’s tone. I’d missed it.
I led her upstairs, past the living room and into my room. The air felt heavy between us, like we were both afraid of what might co
