I spit the mouthwash into the sink, rinsing, and wiping my mouth before swiveling to exit the bathroom. I nearly bump into Dario, but I stop myself in the nick of time.

"Oh!"

His expression makes me fearful.

He's furious.

"What's going on?"

His tone is incisive.

"Are you really that stupid?"

Ouch.

"Sorry."

I maneuver around him, hiding my disappointment and hurt.

"Wait, Cat."

He grabs my arm gently, just enough to stop me. I turn my head just enough to catch him in my peripheral vision.

"I'm sorry. I'm just not in the best mood today."

"You can talk to me, Rio."

"I know."

"What happened to the old days? We used to stay up for hours talking about our feelings and issues. Now, we don't."

"We've grown up, Cat. It's a fact of nature."

"No. It's not."

He lets go of me, his mood worsening.

"We should just talk in the morning. I'll let you get back to your business. Sorry-"

"Don't you patronize me too."

I cock my head, unsure of what he is talking about.

"What?"

"Zach already dished out all the sorry crap. I don't need you giving it to me too. I've lived with Morris my whole life. This is just another one of his empty promises."

"We need to drop the subject until we've had time to mull this over. We can talk more in the morning, or tomorrow after school. For now, just keep in mind that the door is always open here."

"Trust me, I know."

The conversation is left at that.

No 'goodnight'.

No 'talk to you in the morning'.

Trust me, I know.