The Morning The World Broke

i

inn. Mom called. She wants you to unload the dishwasher." My voice comes out louder than I mean it to. School sits locked until someone

he makes us do it and send pictures. The phone in my hand feels heavy with her a

ds carry an edge now. Heat crawl

lse. His feelings run hotter and deeper. I am only fifteen. He is twenty-two. Still I end up the one holding the line, working twice as hard for the s

s. "Sorry. What are you even looking at?" I lean o

the man. Blood runs from the corners of his mouth. He twists free and sinks his teeth into an officer's shoulder. Cloth and skin tear the same way. A tear slides down my cheek. A soft so

nding." His hands shove through his hair. Tears track do

e same nightmare back at me. "We have to call Mom." He nods. I hit her numbe

e you alri

the news?" My fingers clamp the phone.

e stays soft, almost like she is talking herself down. I wonder if the same videos reached her scr

o know when yo

ng. No one knows about new flights yet." Stress cracks through her sigh. "Just don't kill each o

Mom. I l

wails outside. I pull the curtain aside. A police

f the video?" Finn's eyes stay o

de, the worry digs deeper. I cannot say it out loud. He would spiral. "Let's unload the di

I reach for the remote. His height keeps it out of

surface about the man's death and injuries to two officers. Warning: this video may disturb some viewers." The reporter's voice stays flat and heav

hone grunts and moves. Car horns blast. Voices shout. The man lunges straight at the camera.

fic." The word

evision off and finishes the last dishes. I stare at him. His ca

my stomach into the toilet. Light brown liquid hits the water. When the heaving stops I rinse my mouth, scrub my teeth, and feel the worst of it ease. I fall face-down on my bed. Ins

nto my back and rub my face. Th

He laughs. His thick e

y out. "I yelled at my brother earlier. Didn't t

m. His brain just runs hotter. That's the only differ

mom

es me while the call stays open. When my eyes open again the phone screen glares. The room is dark. Another s

eyelids twitch. Dar

in the morning. How long was I out?" He studies my face. "

sit up and wrap the comforter tighter. My stomach

s head. He pulls on a t-shirt. I watch without meaning to. He picks up the phone and gives a small sideways smile. I sta

since the license is only two weeks old. He steps inside. I lock the door behind him. He runs a hand through his hair, then pull

t be here. Your pare

estie." He tickles my side. "You usually love my jokes." My face stays tight. His arms fall. He leans close

ed. All this crazy st

where my jaw meets my neck. My fingers curl in his shirt. The room tilts. I

mouth. A smile starts on my face. His follows. "Do you feel any better?" The

long?

tarted." He looks down, links his

, like something heavy finally left my chest. The door creaks

oks like Leo already did. So I'll just..." Finn points at the hallway, makes

need to leave. My dad watches this show, Doo

ows pull down. He kisses my cheek before I can finish the thought. The sur