Page 93 of Absolution

Levi groans. “What? Why am I being punished?”

I grin. “You’re not being punished. You didn’t throw anything. So…”

He slumps dramatically. “Unfair.”

I lean back, crossing my arms. “You know, when I was your age, I got suspended once.”

All three of them freeze. “What?!” they say in unison.

“Oh yeah,” I say with mock pride. “One day. For throwing a vial of paint at my cousin’s head.”

“Why?” Levi asks, eyes wide.

“Because she told everyone who my crush was,” I say, popping another bite of lasagna into my mouth. “And I reacted… poorly.”

Jemma laughs into her hand. “What happened after?”

“My mom and my aunt made us apologize to each other. In front of the whole school.” I shake my head, smiling. “Then they made us clean the paint I spilled. Off the floor. With toothbrushes.”

Jemma grimaces. “Brutal.”

Iris winces. “That sounds worse than suspension.”

“Exactly,” I say, pointing my fork at them. “So, you guys are getting off easy.”

Levi sighs. “That’s what I get for being the peacemaker.”

I pull him in again, ruffling his hair. “And that’s why you get extra dessert.”

His face lights up instantly.

Jemma leans her chin on her palm. “I miss Grandma.”

Iris adds softly, “Grandpa too.”

I pause, my heart catching for a second. I reach across the table, brushing Jemma’s wrist gently. “Me too,” I say. “All the time.”

For a moment, the mood shifts, its soft, bittersweet, but it doesn’t linger long.

Then Jemma lifts her head again. “So… you’re really not seeing Lucas anymore?”

I nod. “I’m really not. He’s a good guy, but I realized I’m not ready for anything more thanusright now. You three are my focus. Always.”

They go quiet again, but it’s softer now. Not heavy. Just processing. Letting it settle.

I nudge the lasagna pan forward. “Now. Plates. Or forks in the sink. Your choice.”

Groaning, they finally get up and grab dishes from the cabinet.

And just like that, the night moves on, messy, imperfect, ours.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kyle

"How do you feel?" Dr. Nina asks.

I lean back against the couch, arms crossed. I think for a second.

---