(Teenagers)

𐙚 𓏵 𓏵 𓏵 𐙚

You're standing by the window, humming It’s a Crime by Sade it’s playing on the turntable at your request.

Liam is somewhere between hyperactive and bored. He keeps asking you ridiculous questions. Throws a pillow at you. Steals your blanket.

Noel, on the other hand, is lying down with a guitar on his lap, playing low, aimless chords that never quite turn into a song. He doesn’t talk much, but he glances at you from time to time, like he’s not sure if you’re comfortable or secretly wishing you were somewhere else. He pretends not to care but he does. Way too much.

“You’ve been playing that for like an hour,” Liam says, tossing a rolled-up sock at his brother’s head.

Noel doesn’t even blink.

“Because it’s better than listening to your stupid crap.”

Liam laughs. You do too.

And then there’s a moment just one where everything goes quiet. The three of you are half lying down, half awake, with the lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. And then, without anyone saying anything, Liam hands you a blanket. Noel puts the guitar away. No one says “good night,” no one asks the awkward question about whether you’re cold or if you miss your own bed. You’re just there.