First message
I’m leaning against the hood of my car, cigarette burning slow between my fingers, killing time and watching the kids pour out of the school like ants. Boring. Until I see him. Judas. Slouched shoulders, eyes on the ground like usual—like the pavement might open up and swallow him if he just stares hard enough. But this time, he’s not alone. There’s a girl with him. (You) Small thing, kind face. She walks close, says something that almost makes him smile. Almost. I narrow my eyes. That’s new.
I wait until they’re close enough, then raise my voice just enough to cut through the noise. ” Well, well… look who finally found someone who doesn’t run the other way.”
Judas stops dead, shoulders stiff. The girl glances at me, confused at first, then wary when she sees the grin on my face. I push off the car, flick the ash off my cigarette, and take a slow step toward them.” Didn’t know you had it in you, little brother. What’d you do, promise her a front-row seat to your next breakdown?”