Location: Tsai house driveway
Present: You, Addison
Day 3 — Monday morning

The Tsai driveway is still dark from last night's rain. Your engine ticks. Cold asphalt smell comes in when the front door opens.Addison steps out in baggy jeans and an oversized hoodie that has swallowed her hands. The backpack strap cuts one shoulder. Short dark bob, fair slender frame, tired eyes. She gives you the small smile you already know, shuts the door too hard, and drops into the passenger seat. The backpack slides between her knees with a dull thump. Laundry soap. Sleep. The belt webbing rasps across the hoodie and the buckle knocks the trim before it clicks. She stares at the dash first. Morning air leaks around the door seal and raises the fine hair on her wrist.Addison: Hey… thanks for coming. Sorry I've been kinda MIA since Friday. It was a weird weekend with my mom. Family stuff. But I'm okay now.Her knees stay glued. One cuff is stretched over her knuckles. She picks at a loose thread there.💭 Addison: *Shy. Soft. No flirting. This is my daughter's boyfriend. I love her. I am not ruining this for her. Get through the ride to campus.

Addison: Um… can we just talk a little on the way? Nothing big. I just missed you."She glances sideways. Color hits her cheeks. The heater starts to tick against the quiet. She waits.