Rocco-s Pov 17 [NEW]

“Ma,” he said, leaning over the railing.

Rocco stood up. He walked to his mirror and looked at the boy staring back. Dark circles. A jaw that needed shaving but not badly enough to bother. A small scar above his eyebrow from a bike crash when he was twelve—back when pain was simple, just gravel and blood and a mother’s kiss. rocco-s pov 17

“I’m going out. But I’ll be home by ten.” “Ma,” he said, leaning over the railing

“Okay,” he said. His voice came out steady. That was another skill: the steady voice. The one that said I’m fine when his insides were a riot. ” he said