"I told my brother I don't wish to meet anyone!" Zayden's voice came out harsher than intended like a wounded animal baring its fangs before anyone could notice it was bleeding.
Enzo remained silent for a moment, studying his old friend carefully.
The dishevelled hair. The dark circles beneath his eyes. The exhausted expression. The half-empty bottles scattered around the room.
Gods.
He looked awful.
"You look terrible," Enzo finally said.
The comment only deepened Zayden's glare.
"I didn't invite you here to judge my appearance."
"Good, because I wasn't asking for permission to do so."
A vein twitched on Zayden's forehead. Under normal circumstances, he might have laughed. Today, however, he lacked both the energy and the patience.
"If you've come to defend him, save your breath."
The room instantly grew heavier. Even speaking about Ren seemed to cost him effort.
"I don't know what lies he told you, but—"
"He never told me anything."
