The conversation had slowed into something soft and meandering, like a river losing its rush.
Adam was leaned back on the couch, one arm stretched along the backrest, dangerously close to Kara's shoulders—but not touching. Kara noticed. She always noticed. She sat rigid, hands folded in her lap, knees pressed together, posture screaming please don't perceive me. Elena was speaking gently about a book she'd started but couldn't finish because she kept falling asleep halfway through chapters.
"And then I wake up and forget everything I read," Elena laughed, pressing a hand to her chest. "So I start again. It's an endless loop."
Adam smiled. "That's because you read boring stuff."
"Oh hush," Elena said fondly. "You're the one who still reads sports magazines like they're holy scripture."
Richard huffed from his chair. "At least magazines don't lie."
Kara blinked. "Books don't either."
Richard glanced at her. Paused. Then nodded once. "Fair point."
Adam looked between them, impressed.
"Well, aren't you little miss Lawyer?"
Kara flushed.
That's when it happened.
Elena's smile faltered—just for a fraction of a second. Her shoulders tensed. She lifted her mug again, but before she could take a sip, a cough tore from her chest.
Once.
Twice.
The third cough was sharp and wet, stealing the air right out of her lungs.
"Elena," Richard said immediately, standing.
"I'm okay," she tried to say, but another cough cut her off, harsher than the last. She bent forward slightly, one hand gripping the armrest.
Adam shot up from the couch. "Mom—"
"It's alright," Elena insisted weakly, though her voice trembled. "Just—give me a second—"
Richard didn't wait. He was already at her side, one arm steady around her shoulders, grounding her.
"Upstairs," he said quietly but firmly. "Now."
"I didn't mean to—" Elena started, embarrassed.
"You didn't do anything," Richard said, voice low and unwavering. "Come on."
Kara stood frozen, heart pounding as she watched them move toward the stairs. Elena glanced back once, offering a small, apologetic smile that hurt more than the coughing.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Adam shook his head. "Don't be."
They disappeared upstairs, footsteps slow and measured.
The house felt too big afterward.
Too quiet.
Adam sat back down, running a hand through his hair. Kara stared at the rug, fingers twisting together.
"…She's really strong," Kara said after a moment, barely above a whisper.
Adam nodded. "Yeah. She shouldn't have to be."
They waited.
Minutes stretched thin.
When Richard came back down, he looked composed—but Kara noticed the tightness in his jaw, the way his shoulders hadn't quite relaxed.
"She's resting," he said. "Medication's working."
Adam stood again. "Is she okay?"
"She will be," Richard replied. Then he looked at both of them—really looked. "Your mother and I had dinner reservations tonight."
Elena's voice floated faintly from upstairs.
"Had."
Richard exhaled through his nose. "We're not going."
Adam frowned. "Dad, you can cancel—"
"No," Richard said sharply, then softened. "I'm staying with her."
He paused.
"You two should go instead."
Silence.
Kara's brain stopped functioning.
"…What?" she squeaked.
Adam blinked. "Us?"
"Yes," Richard said plainly. "The reservation's under my name. Use it."
Kara immediately stood up. "N-No, that's really not necessary—I don't want to intrude, or take something important, or—"
Elena's voice called weakly from upstairs, amused. "Kara, sweetheart, if I don't get to eat steak tonight, someone should."
Adam snorted.
Kara turned bright red. "I—this is—I'm not—"
Richard raised a hand. "Sit."
She sat. Immediately.
"You've been here all evening," he continued.
"You've been nothing but respectful. And my son looks like he's one bad thought away from punching a wall."
Adam protested, "Hey—"
"You're taking her," Richard said. "You're eating a proper meal. And you're coming back before midnight."
Kara swallowed. "I really don't want to be rude but—I don't have clothes for that. And I'm awkward. And I swear too much. And I don't belong in fancy places."
Adam leaned toward her. "You swear more at school than you do here."
"That's different," she hissed.
Elena's voice drifted down again, softer now.
"Kara… please go. For me."
That did it.
Kara's shoulders slumped.
"…Okay," she said quietly. "I'll go."
Adam grinned instantly. "Yes."
Richard nodded. "Good."
He gestured upstairs. "There are towels in the bathroom. You'll want to shower."
Kara's face exploded into heat. "Oh. Uh. Right. Yes. Shower. Of course."
She practically fled up the stairs.
The bathroom was massive—white tile, glass walls, soft lighting. Kara closed the door behind her and leaned against it, heart racing.
"…Dinner," she muttered. "At a restaurant. With Adam. In his parents' place. I'm going to die."
She stripped quickly, stepping into the shower. Hot water cascaded over her shoulders, loosening the tight knot in her chest.
She rested her forehead against the tile, breathing.
Elena coughing. Richard's quiet strength. Adam's eyes—worried, protective, gentle.
Why did everything feel so… heavy and warm at the same time?
She washed her hair slowly, letting the steam fog her thoughts.
Outside, Adam paced.
"You think she's okay?" he asked Richard.
"Shut up and act like a man," Richard replied. "It's embarrassingto see you pacing like some fucking ballerina."
Adam blinked. "Yes sir."
"tch."
The water shut off.
Kara stepped out, wrapped in a towel, cheeks flushed, hair dripping. She stared at herself in the mirror.
"…Pull yourself together," she whispered. "It's just dinner."
Her reflection didn't believe her.
Neither did her heart.