Two Years, A Cosmic Lie

a mechanical purpose, folding clothes and putting books into boxes. Chlo

rn in my muscles a welcome distraction. When I

alk about this?" she as

her touch soft and familiar. I f

id, my voice

ack, surprise widenin

hloe. I'm goi

w knew were completely empty. She didn't press the issue. She was good a

d, and stared at the ceiling. For the first time in two years, I fell aslee

I walked into the living room and saw Chloe standing by the w

brought it bac

oice uncertain. She ran a finger over the p

walked over, took it from her hands, and dropped it in

t made was

ed out, her voice sharp with disbeli

I interrupted

e from having to explai

still fighting?" he asked, hi

trash bag as if I'd thrown a live animal

d, trying to kee

for each other. You can't just throw away two years over some stupid argument. And hey, my dad is throwin

h that sounded more like a co

uys are solid. So

n me, wide with a desperate hope. She was thin

bout it," I sai

too long. Let me know," h

s a carefully constructed mask of concern, but I could see

in my mind, a crue

f Liam and I were both in trouble, a

ced smile on her face. "Don't be silly, Etha