Hey guys! I am sooooo sorry for being away for a while, a family emergency came up unexpectedly and I had to deal with it but now I'm back! Again, I'm sorry! 

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(Matt) 

We pulled up to my house and I stopped the car, taking the keys out of the ignition. Alis hopped out of the car, which was a bit ways down for him considering his height. 

"Nice house," Was all he said when we entered the large living room.

I spotted my mom hunched over her computer at the kitchen table her brows furrowed in concentration. She glanced up before glancing down again.

"Hello and hello Matt's friend," Was all she said and began typing, her frown deepening. Her honey-colored hair was piled on her head in a haphazard bun, leaning treacherously to one side. Dark bags and small wrinkles were clearly visible on her brown skin, looking worse than yesterday.

"Did you stay up again?" I asked, swinging my bookbag onto the chair.

"Sorry, this case is tough, as they all are," She mumbled. My mom was a lawyer, but wasn't respected as much in the workplace and was given all the tough cases because she solved them faster, which meant more money but less sleep.

"Just get some rest," I sighed, leading Alistair upstairs. 

We walked for a moment before he spoke up.

"Your mom looks beyond exhausted," He said in a worried tone. I glanced back at him and his brow was furrowed in worry.

"Don't sweat it, she usually looks like that," I said in a grim tone. 

"Oh," He whispered, barely audible but I still caught it. His eyes were cloudy like he was thinking about something from the past. 

I snapped my fingers and he jumped like he was startled.

"Sorry, lost in thought," He mumbled quickly and continued up the stairs.

"You seem to do that a lot," I said.

He looked up at me in a confused expression.

"Really?" He asked, tilting his head like a dog. 

I looked at him in disbelief, wondering if he was joking.

"Uh, yeah! You look like this," I pulled his face, looked dazed and misty-eyed, mouth slightly open.

"I look like that!?" He said. 

I just laughed and he glared at me pointedly. 

"Let's just get on with the project," Alistair crossed his arms.

"Okay, okay," I said with a smile.

We started the analysis part of the project, taking small breaks in between.

"Are you going to Cody's party?" He asked during one of them, lying on the carpet, sprawled out.

"I dunno, you?" I replied.

"Parties aren't really my thing, but Crissy will probably make me go." He said rolling over onto his stomach. 

"Hmm," I pondered this for a moment, wondering if it would be more fun if he was there.