love

Tommy wakes up from the first rays of the sun falling into the bedroom through a large, wall-to-wall window. The feeling of absolute happiness, returning with consciousness, is replaced by quiet horror when the palm does not grope next to Keith. Cool sheets, then my brother's skinny side. One rib. Louis is fast asleep. Unruly hair twisted into curls overnight. Plump lips parted. If it weren’t for the stubble, I would easily have passed for a girl ...

Boo-boo-boom - the heart breaks in a panic.

Tom jumps out of bed, pulls on his jeans. He doesn't have a hoodie. So she did. This thought makes me feel warmer. She's in the house... where should she be? In the kitchen. Drinking tea. Maybe talking to mom. She is all right. But torn nerves demand to immediately find it and verify this visually. Better yet, feel it.

On the way, Tom looks into the bathroom - empty. She is not in the living room, and in the kitchen too. The parents seem to be still asleep. Starting to freak out again, he goes o