The early morning sun hadn't settled properly on the rooftops, yet Alex was already up and moving.
He stood by the sink, brushing his teeth slowly, staring into the mirror without really seeing it. His mind was spinning in a loop, replaying the previous day's conversation with Sarah repeatedly. Her voice still echoed in his head.
"You don't wait for him to talk… you make him talk."
He rinsed his mouth, wiped his face, and moved to his wardrobe. Emma, his younger sister, stepped out of her room, dressed in her school uniform, her hair in a tight ponytail and backpack hanging lazily over one shoulder.
She glanced at him as she walked into the kitchen.
"Big bro, you're dressed early," she said, a curious smile on her face as she opened the fridge. "What's the plan for today?"
That broke his thoughts. He blinked, startled, as if just waking up.
"Oh… uh," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm heading over to see Elliot again. Hoping he finally opens up."
