ttere

gainst the plastic that his knuckles turned white. The words coming from th

oice was barely above a whisper, cr

y too much. "I don't really know the full details... but from

d's chest, sinking deeper and deeper. His fath

ar it-the way she hesitated, the way she softened her tone, as if she was afraid of hurting him more. But it did

nce you just lost your dad?" David stiffened. Something about her voice didn't sound right. It wasn't concern-it was something else. Excitement? Anticipation? As if she was hiding her eagerness behind a thin layer of sympathy. He exhaled slowly

ed around the phone again. "Sorry, Favour, but I made

ttend the party, there must be drinks-and it must be alcohol. Besides,

n't even eighteen yet-same age as him. They'd been to countless parties toge

: his promise to his mother. On the other: Favour's ultimatum

ight he hoped to steal his very first kiss. "Hello? Hello? Hey, Davi

I was just... lost in

hear it now-the impatience, the hunger in her voice. She did

anted was

he wante

d, the words bitter on his to

instantaneous. "Thank you,

Ye

you. By

ine we

ay...? A slow, disbelieving smile spread across his fa

lf, running a hand through h

d, "Sorry, Mom. But I'll have to b

ed Favour out, she wou

ice of

David sprang into action. He pulled out hi

l be served a

xploded with notifications-65 replies, 200 likes,

ause of t

him-the way they chased after cheap thrills, the way they c

e didn

thing that matt

The guests?

it was

he was

e Con