ARIA
The living room buzzed with low laughter and the overly dramatic sobs of the k-drama playing on TV. Olivia was curled into one corner of the couch with a blanket over her legs, watching like the world depended on it. Michael was beside her, phone in hand, thumb scrolling lazily.
Kaleb had thrown himself on the rug like he was auditioning for a lead role. He clutched his chest with one hand, a plastic sword in the other, and wailed, "Hyung! Don't die!"
Even Lily let out a squeaky giggle from where she sat in Mom's lap. I laughed with them, but it didn't quite reach.
My phone was in my hand, and I wasn't even trying to pretend I cared about the show. I was mid-chat with Sarah, who was currently telling me that the new guy she was talking to had "toddler-level emotional depth and never stopped rambling about how he was an high value alpha male seeking a high value female." whatever the hell that meant.
I sent her a laughing emoji and a "girl, run" reply.
