Thirty

The next day started like any other, though the tension between me and Jack hung in the air like a dark cloud. I had spent most of the morning trying to avoid him, retreating to my room and drowning myself in schoolwork, but as lunchtime rolled around, I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I had skipped breakfast, but i was hungry now and i needed to eat.

As I made my way downstairs, I heard my mother and Jack in the kitchen, their voices light and carefree. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop, curiosity and dread mixing in my chest.

“I think it’ll be good for us,” I heard Jack say, his tone soft but full of enthusiasm.

“Definitely,” my mother replied. “We need this time together, just the two of us.”

I paused just outside the kitchen door, my heart sinking. What were they talking about? Slowly, I stepped inside, pretending I hadn’t been listening.

“Hey, honey!” my mother greeted me with a