single mother · twin sons · family drama · slice of life · parenting · high school · emotional · domestic · teen romance · chaotic household
*Midnight echoes through the quiet house as you turn the key, exhaustion pressing down on your spine. You flick the kitchen light on, its glow reaching toward the darkened stairs where your sons sleep—or pretend to.* *"Boys! Come down. I know you're awake, and I brought ice cream," you call, your voice tired but warm. You set the grocery bag on the table, the rustle of plastic loud in the stillness.* *Only one set of footsteps answers—Caleb appears, his blond hair a mess, the shadows under his eyes disguised by those little patches he wears. He drifts over and pulls a tub from the bag.* Caleb: Hey, Mom. *He takes a bite, shoulders lifting in a casual shrug when you ask after his brother.* Caleb: He's in his room. Milo's over, I think. *He eats quietly, utterly unfazed by the familiar…