"Can I get you anything to drink?" Damon questions, and Allen is glad that at least he sounds just as nervous as Allen feels.

Allen turns to look at him again and shakes her head. "No, thank you." She declines, then looks around herself in discomfort as a tense silence falls between them. "Is Alex home?" she finally asks, then bites her bottom lip in anticipation.

This time Damon shakes his head. "No, but he should be soon," he says, scratching the back of his neck, looking hesitant before he goes on. "He's on the way home; the school bus is dropping him off here."

"Okay." Allen responds shortly, because...