Driving into the snow

 They'd stayed in Liv's room. Ever so quietly. No way was Rico taking Liv to his Dad's. But he called him and told him what was happening with the stranger in Bren's room. 

She had an electric kettle and it was filled with water so they had hot chocolate. Trying to make the best of it, like instant gratification. 

"Do you know that guy?" He'd asked.

"No." She looked like a helpless bird and Rico didn't know if he knew what to do with a bird, like her. But he did his best to make things better, not worse.

He knew not to ask about her brother. He did feel bad for her having a brother like Tristan.

 After all, Rico was here to make her room more like home. He helped put up posters and framed photos. They unpacked her clothes and hung them in the closet. Anything to keep going and not look back. 

"It wasn't your fault," he told her later. She only nodded, but he could see she put the blame on herself.

"You'll be OK." He found that the more he touched her hair and soothed her restless curls it seemed to keep her calm. It wasn't long until they settle down to slumber. True, they were well clothed even covered, and snuggled together. Sleep was the natural order of things.

When the sun rose, Rico winced hard. Had he been here all along. He was certain he'd wandered off somewhere else, but now he had spooned against Liv all along. She smelled of patchouli and blue Tansey, like an ancient sedative.

Naturally, he knew it was time to go, even as he saw the street of snow. Time was wasting. Weren't they supposed to be at school?

"But you should shower," she said. He told her he was good. She should go on and get ready.

He went down the hall. After all, he still had a key. He washed up the best he could. 

"What are you doing here?" His brother Mario asked who had not gone to sleep after all.

"Oh, just..just checking on Liv, but..but I think she might still be asleep," Rico lied before he even knew it. Still, it didn't feel wrong. He was just looking out for Liv. "I told her I'd take her to school."

Mario gave him a nod. He handed over two egg sandwiches. He hadn't been the only one busy. Bren might as well have been a short-order cook.

"Thanks," Rico smiled. Perhaps the less they said the better.

"Oh, don't forget to take some coffee too," Mario said. Rico kept smiling. Mario had it all boxed up as if he and Bren did this every morning.