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Hollis was smoking for Walt out the window in the early pink light when he remembered Yulia’s request.

Hollis: You guys up?

Annie: You feel better, you big liar? You were fine this morning.

Hollis: I just went to the beach. I needed to think.

Yulia: It’s so cold there, why would you want to be at the beach???

Hollis: Did you know the water is almost the same color as the sky when it’s cloudy outside? You can’t tell the difference unless you squint.

Annie: Hollis is smoking again. I can see him from my kitchen window.

Hollis: Narc.

Yulia: You’re going to get lung cancer and die.

Hollis smirked.

You hear that? We have a limited time for this. Enjoy it while you can.

Walt rolled their eyes.

Hollis: Yeah yeah yeah.

Yulia: What are you doing this Friday? I want to have a sleepover.

Hollis: It’s been a while. What’s the occasion?

Yulia: My daddy’s heading to New York for work and my mom is forcing him to bring her with so it can feel like a vacation. They’ll be gone Thursday.

Annie: Tomorrow! We can make it a four nighter?

Yulia: They’re leaving at night unfortunately.

Hollis: Whatever. I’m in. Want me to bring anything?

Yulia: Nope, just you and yourself.

Hollis: 3

She wants bread again. What should I make her?

Something fancy, none of this peasant shit. Make her a real loaf of French bread.

I could do honey butter too.

Then do it. She’s your best gal; she deserves the fine things.

No, she’s your best gal. Annie’s supposed to be mine.

Annie hasn’t made our heart race in a while.

Hollis exhaled into the cold and didn’t deny it.

Do you miss it? Annie. Loving her, being in love with her. Being normal. The way you should be.

It was comfortable. But there are other things.