Moments Under The Sun.

r 4 –

replaying the scene in my mind-her fingers gripping the pendant like it was some trinket, the wild accusation in her voice, and the wa

ay. I should've gotten up, done what I was supposed to do, and faced the world like I always did. But I couldn't.

of guy who dealt with emotional drama like she was handing me. She had no r

probably thought I was slacking off, but I didn't care. I didn't want to go to the office today. I needed

en, even if it was just to vent. Plus, he knew what had been going on with Flanell. He

his chair, scrolling through his phone, looking annoyingly calm fo

said, not looking

down across from him. My fingers drummed on the table as I leaned

didn't say anything, wa

g. We... we had an argument. And then she just-" I paused, gripping the edge of my chair,

red with a hint of sympathy. He leaned forward, his t

ried to push her away, but she wouldn't listen.

in his chair again. "But, man, you have to admi

ze snapping to him. "What the

als, and now she's acting out. She doesn't know where she stands with you, so she's lashing out. I

ng up in my chest again. "I'm not lea

smirk tugging at his lips. "She's all over you, and you're l

ep coming around, let her think there was something between us when there was nothing. But that

ain, I'd be

ing it off. "I'm done with he

ou need a distraction. Come on, man. You can't s

him. "What d

rd the entrance of the café. "Check out tho

hair and a confident stride. The other, a little shorter, had a playful smile and bright eyes. They were

This wasn't the time. "What about them?" I as

. "Man, you've been in a mood all morning. You need to go talk to one o

I'm not in the mood

omeone just kicked your dog. Trust me, go up to one of them. Ha

ot interested in a di

e? I'm just trying to help you, man. You're letting that damn necklace and Flanell screw

in a way. I was letting my frustration with Flanell bleed into everything else,

tered. "I don't n

ever left his face. "Alright, alright. You win. But when you ch

e ticking of the clock on the wall. I didn't want to think about Flanell

snap out of this. I couldn't let

en by the door flickered through my mind.

to

ngs to sort out than som

aniel share a lighthearted, meaningful conversation. I've written it as you

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r 4 –

uldn't control, about my health, and about the weight of everything I had to carry. My mind kept wandering back to that moment I had stepped back into

wall. I knew I had more to do, but my body was exhausted, and my spirit wasn't far behind

iel said, stepping into my office

, look that had always made him seem so much older than his years. His presence was a breath of fr

d, gesturing to the stack of papers in front of me. "

wish. I just need a little help, that's all." He lifted a small folder in his hand. "Th

dical school already giv

me. "I've been trying to figure out the clinical aspects of this project

de, especially when we were younger-but now, as he stepped into the world of higher education, I could see the f

ng for the folder. "Le

his head as he gazed at me with a fond smile. "So," he said after a few moments, bre

ways someone to take care of." I paused, glancing at him. "How abo

it would be, but I like it. I'm adjusting." He smiled, a little sheepish. "But, honestly, I'm not really interes

othing if not focused. "I get it. You've always be

me smile. "I'm not there to date

sound just like me when I was your age. But it's okay to enjo

I couldn't argue with. "But I'm serious about getting my degr

ftening. "You've always known what you

nfidence that I admired. "You're focused in your own way,

chest. I couldn't remember the last time I'd taken a break for myself. "An

. "You've been working too hard lately. Maybe you shou

ried about my health. "I'll rest when there's nothing left to do," I said, shrugging. "But that'

d by now that I wasn't one to slow down easily.

eant it. I knew Daniel would hold me to that

etails. But the brief moment of peace, of connection with my brother, brought a smile

o guide him when I could. But today, in this moment, I realized that my little broth

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