"Yes, I'll be going home," Kayden replied, casually at first, his fingers still playing with the rim of his drink. "My dad won't allow me to stay back for the holiday. And my mom…" he smiled faintly, "She'd probably come drag me herself if I tried to stay. I need to go home, then I'll come back once school resumes."
Thaddeus nodded slowly, lips pressing into a tight line as he looked away, not at anything in particular, just away from Kayden's eyes. Something shifted quietly inside him, like a thread snapping.
The holiday was long.
And though he'd never say it out loud, the thought of going days, weeks without Kayden around made his chest feel oddly heavy.
He should be used to being alone. He was good at it, too good maybe. But ever since Kayden had started hanging around, things felt different, quieter in his mind, but louder in his heart.
He forced a smile, not wanting to come off needy or weird. "Yeah… makes sense. Home is important."
