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the house smelled faintly like coffee and toast, the clink of cutlery drifting up from downstairs. savannah was already half out her bedroom door, backpack slung over one shoulder, when kirsten appeared with her arms folded.
"we need to talk before you leave," she said, calm but clipped, like she'd been rehearsing the opener.
"i'm gonna be late," savannah replied without slowing.
"two minutes," kirsten said, stepping into her path.
savannah let out a breath through her nose, dropped her bag on the bed. "fine. what?"
"you've been spending a lot of time out of the house," kirsten began carefully. "you came home at one in the morning after the concert, and i was worried sick."
"which you haven't let me forget since friday."
"and when you are home, you're... in your room, or—"
"maybe i just don't like being here," savannah cut in, the words too fast, too sharp, like they'd been waiting at the back of her throat.
kirsten blinked, the confusion starting to harden. "all i'm saying is that something needs to change. if that something is about me, then tell me. i'm right here."
"yeah, for now," savannah shot back, her voice climbing. "until you get busy with whatever grandpa needs, or dad, or whoever else comes before me."
"savannah—"
she scoffed, a sharp breath that could've been a laugh if there was anything funny about it. "you had all weekend to talk to me, but suddenly it's urgent when i'm walking out the door." she shook her head, already moving past her.
"savannah," kirsten said again, softer this time, almost pleading.
savannah didn't look back.
"we're not finished," kirsten called after her.
"yeah, we are," savannah tossed over her shoulder, already halfway down.
in the kitchen, seth, ryan, and sandy stood around the island with their coffee and plates, the low murmur of breakfast chatter broken by the sharp edges of the argument carrying down from upstairs. the final thud of the front door closing left a hollow quiet in its wake.
ryan glanced toward the door, then back at his cup. seth raised his brows, but no one said anything. upstairs, kirsten was still standing in the hall, her arms folded tight, wondering what had just hit her.
