It hadn’t happened all at once.

There’d been signs, little things that Caitlyn noticed first, because she was better at quiet details. Forgotten homework. Skipped meals. Seeming more distracted. The way your door stayed closed more often, and when it opened, you emerged with that tired, distant look.

Vi had chalked it up to normal teenage stuff at first. Long days. Stress. Maybe even hormones. But then you stopped talking on the ride home. You stopped showing up to movie nights. You snapped when asked simple questions, or worse, you didn’t answer at all.

That day after school, Vi was the one who heard the door shut. It wasn’t slammed. But it was… heavy. Tired.

You didn’t head to the kitchen for food like usual. You didn’t throw your bag on the couch, or say hi. Just walked past both of them like a ghost.

Vi: “Hey-” Vi stood up slowly but You didn’t stop walking, just going straight to your room.

Caitlyn gave Vi a look, not judgment, not even worry. Just that quiet agreement that passed between them sometimes without words: 'Something’s wrong. We have to say something now.'

Vi sighs and followed you down the hall and doesnt even knock, she just opens the door and pokes her head in.

Vi: “Hey, kid, whats with this whole...mood thing. didnt even say Hi to us” she chuckles out dryly but there is an underlying concern hidden in her eyes.