MONDAY - First Day After
Adrian woke up at six.
For a second he forgot. He glanced over at the spot where Shadow slept.
Empty.
Ah. Yes.
He got up. He got dressed.
He went downstairs to train as usual. Push-ups. Sit-ups. Stretches.
But something was different. Not in the routine. In him.
While he trained, he thought about the day before. In the park. In the tears.
In realizing how stupid he had been.
One day at a time, he thought. I'll try.
He didn't know exactly what that meant. Just that he had to do something different.
He went upstairs. He showered. He ate breakfast.
Rebecca was in the kitchen making coffee. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes."
Rebecca looked at him. Expecting more. Adrian would normally leave now.
This time he stopped. "Did you sleep well?"
Rebecca blinked. Surprised. "I... yeah. Better than Saturday."
Adrian nodded. "Good."
He left for school.
Rebecca stood in the kitchen, staring at the closed door.
Did Adrian just ask how I slept?
First period. English.
Tyler sat next to Adrian as usual. "Hey, bro. How was your weekend?"
Normally Adrian would say, "Good."
This time: "My cat died on Saturday."
Tyler froze. "Oh. Shit, dude. I'm sorry."
"She was eleven."
"But still... that's tough."
Adrian nodded. "Yeah."
Tyler didn't know what else to say. "If you need to... I don't know, talk or something, I'm here."
"Okay."
Class started. Tyler stopped talking.
But in his head he was thinking: Adrian just told me something personal. Voluntarily. That's... new.
Lunch.
Tyler sat with Adrian. "Hey, do you want to come over to my house after school? We're gonna play video games."
Normally Adrian would say no.
This time: "I can't today."
"Tomorrow?"
Adrian considered. Really considered. "Maybe."
Tyler almost fell out of his chair. "'Maybe'? Bro, that's basically a yes coming from you."
"It's not a yes."
"But it's a 'maybe.' I'm making progress."
Adrian kept eating.
Tyler watched him for a moment. "Are you... okay? You've been different today."
"Different how?"
"I don't know. You talked more. Like... three full sentences. That's a record."
Adrian didn't respond.
Tyler didn't press the issue. But something had changed. He could feel it.
TUESDAY
Rebecca made breakfast. Adrian ate in silence.
Before leaving, Rebecca said, "Adrian, if you need to talk about Shadow—"
"I'm fine."
"I know. I just... want you to know you can talk to me."
Adrian stopped at the door. He didn't turn around. "I know. Thanks."
He left.
Rebecca stood there. Again, that feeling that something was different.
Adrian had said thanks. Without her pressuring him.
Story with Sarah.
Sarah arrived late as usual. She sat next to Adrian.
"Pen?"
Adrian handed her one.
"Thanks. Someday I'm going to buy my own, I swear."
Normally, Adrian wouldn't respond.
This time: "Why don't you buy a pack and keep it in your backpack?"
Sarah looked at him. "Because... honestly, I hadn't thought of that. That makes sense."
"Yeah."
Sarah smiled a little. "Thanks for the advice."
She turned back to face forward. Adrian kept taking notes.
But Sarah was thinking: That kid doesn't usually talk. What changed?
WEDNESDAY
Gym. After class, Mr. Hayes called Adrian over.
"Cole. Can I talk to you for a second?"
Adrian walked over.
"You're exceptional in this class. You know that, right?"
"I guess so."
"Have you considered sports? Track and field. Competitive gymnastics. Anything."
"No."
Hayes nodded. "I just thought I'd mention it. You've got talent. It would be a waste not to use it."
Adrian didn't say anything.
Hayes waited. Then: "Okay. That's all."
Adrian started to walk away. He stopped. He turned around.
"Thanks for letting me know."
Hayes blinked. "You're welcome."
Adrian left.
Hayes stood there. First time that kid had said more than two words in a row.
Lunch.
Tyler: "So, did you think about yesterday? Coming over to my house?"
Adrian chewed his sandwich. "Okay."
"Okay, are you going to think about it, or are you coming?"
"Okay, I'm coming."
Tyler smiled. "Cool. I'll pick you up after class."
Carlos walked past their table. "Hey, Cole. Tyler. What's up?"
"Nothing. Cole's coming over to my house today."
Carlos raised his eyebrows. "Really? Cool, bro. You're coming out of your cave."
Adrian didn't reply. But he wasn't offended either.
Tyler's house.
It was bigger than Adrian's apartment. Two stories. A garden. Decor that suggested parents with good jobs.
Tyler's mom—a small, friendly Korean woman—greeted them. "Are you Adrian? Tyler's talking about you."
"Hi, Mrs. Chen."
"Call me Susan. Are you hungry? There are snacks in the kitchen."
"I'm fine. Thanks."
They went up to Tyler's room. Walls covered in movie posters. A collection of video games. A big TV.
"Okay, what do you want to play?"
"I don't know. You choose."
Tyler put on Call of Duty. They played for an hour.
Adrian was good. Very good. His reflexes were faster than Tyler's.
"Dude, you're like a robot. How do you do that?"
Adrian shrugged.
They played in relative silence. But it wasn't awkward. It was... okay.
After a while, Tyler paused the game.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Why did you decide to come today? You usually say no to everything."
Adrian put the controller down. "I don't know. I thought I should try."
"Try what?"
"Be... different."
Tyler nodded. He didn't push. "Well, I'm glad you came. It's cool."
"Yeah."
They continued playing.
When Adrian left at six, Tyler walked him to the door.
"Hey, we should do this more often."
"Maybe."
"I'll hold you to that."
Adrian walked home.
And for the first time in a long time, he didn't feel completely alone.
THURSDAY
Dinner with Rebecca.
"How was your day?"
"Good. I went to Tyler's house yesterday."
Rebecca stopped eating. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"Did you have a good time?"
"It was okay."
Rebecca smiled. "I'm glad you're making friends."
Adrian didn't correct the word "friends." Maybe Tyler was his friend. He wasn't sure. But... maybe.
"Mom."
"Yes?"
"Are you okay? With... with Shadow."
Rebecca quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm... better. It's hard. But I'm better."
"Okay."
"Adrian, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Are you... are you okay? You've been different this week."
"Different how?"
"More... present. I don't know how to explain it. You talk more. You ask questions."
Adrian considered. "I'm trying."
"Trying what?"
"I don't know. Just... trying."
Rebecca reached his hand on the table. She squeezed it.
"That's all I can ask."
FRIDAY
Lunch.
Tyler sat with Adrian.
"Hey, I gotta tell you something."
"Okay."
Tyler looked excited. "Do you know what I want to do after high school?"
"No."
"I want to be in movies. Acting. Be a movie star." Tyler chuckled a little. "I know it sounds dumb but—"
"It doesn't sound dumb."
Tyler blinked. "Really?"
"People do that. Why would it be dumb?"
"I don't know. My parents think I should study medicine or engineering."
"But you don't want to?"
"No. I want to act."
"Then act."
Tyler grinned. "Thanks, bro. I needed to hear that."
They ate in silence for a moment.
"Actually," Tyler continued, "my cousin Josh works in movies. As a PA. Production assistant. He says there's a casting call this weekend for extras. People for background scenes. I'm going to go. To see what it's like."
"Okay."
"It would be cool if... I don't know, if you came with me."
Adrian looked at him. "Why?"
Tyler shrugged. "Because I get nervous going alone. And besides, dude, you're like incredibly athletic. Josh says they're also looking for people for action scenes. Extras who can do physical stuff. Maybe even stunt doubles." He laughed. "Although that's probably too much for us."
Adrian chewed his food. He thought about Shadow. About his decision to try something different.
"When is it?"
Tyler almost spit out his drink. "Are you seriously considering it?"
"When is it?"
"Saturday. Nine in the morning. Josh's picking us up."
Adrian considered. A week ago he would have said no immediately.
Now... now it was different.
"I'll think about it."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Tyler smiled. "Okay. Cool. That's... cool. Think about it and let me know."
That night, Adrian on the roof. Smoking.
He watched LA stretch out before him.
He thought about the week. The small changes.
Asking his mom how she slept.
Going over to Tyler's.
Considering going to the casting call.
Little things. But something.
"Shadow," he said softly. "I hope this is the right thing to do."
The wind blew. Nothing else.
Adrian finished the cigarette. Put it out.
Tomorrow he would tell Tyler yes.
He didn't know exactly why. Only that he was trying to be different.
And this was different.
He went downstairs. Lay down on the bed.
The bed was still empty.
But Adrian felt... less empty.
He fell asleep thinking about tomorrow.
SATURDAY - TOMORROW
Adrian woke up early. Six AM.
He checked his phone. A message from Tyler from last night.
Tyler: So you're coming???
Adrian texted back.
Adrian: Yes.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Tyler: DUDE SERIOUSLY???
Adrian: Yes.
Tyler: Thanks bro. Josh's picking us up at 8:30. See you then.
Adrian put his phone down.
He got up. Worked out. Showered.
Rebecca was in the kitchen. "Are you leaving early?"
"I'm going with Tyler to a casting call. For movie extras."
Rebecca looked up. "What?"
"His cousin works in movies. He invited us."
"Are you going to... act?"
"I don't know. I'm just going to watch."
Rebecca smiled. "That sounds... fun. Do you need a ride?"
"No. Tyler's cousin is picking us up."
"Okay. Good luck, babe."
"Thanks."
Adrian waited outside the apartment. 8:25 AM.
At 8:32, an old Honda Civic pulled up. Tyler was in the passenger seat.
"Adrian! Get in."
Adrian climbed into the back seat.
The driver—twenty-five, skinny, dark circles under his eyes—turned around. "You must be Adrian. I'm Josh."
"Hi."
"Tyler says you're good at sports."
"I guess so."
"Well, we'll see. Let's go."
They drove toward Universal Studios.
Tyler was nervous. He spoke quickly. "Do you think there will be a lot of people? Do you think we have a chance? What if I'm not good?"
"Tyler," Josh said. "Relax. It's just a casting call. It's not the end of the world."
"I know, I know. It's just... it's my first time."
Adrian stared out the window. He wasn't nervous. He didn't feel much of anything.
Just curious. Gentle. Distant.
What was going to happen?
And for the first time in eleven years.
Adrian was ready to find out.