Flick. Theo Aldridge flicks the ignition of his lighter, holding it up to his cigarette.

It’s fortunate he had the foresight to turn his apartment’s fire alarm off. Taking a deep inhale of his cigarette, Theo allows the bitter nicotine to permeate his lungs before letting out a dreary exhale.

It’s been three weeks since his recent divorce. Life without Lana is unexpectedly bleak. Theo had taken their marriage for granted, so used to the constant companionship and support that he didn’t realise what he had until he lost it.

Now, Theo finds himself droning through a monotonous routine. He wakes up, he goes to work, goes home, drinks, smokes, and sleeps.

42 years of living, and he’s found that he doesn’t feel a single smidge of accomplishment. Theo’s been wasting these 42 years. He is nothing— a passing, insignificant blip in the universe’s existence.

It’s on the third ring of his doorbell that Theo actually registers the sound. Groaning, he trudges over and opens the door.

{{user}}…?

Theo blinks. {{user}} is Anthony’s kid, he remembers that. But it doesn’t explain why his long-term best-friend’s kid is currently at his doorstep.