A/N: Requested by @vanilladancer! Hadn't heard from Elliott yet in this story.  On a side note, Daniel Radcliffe was standing outside my apartment today...XD XD.  They're filming the Unstoppable Kimmy Schmidt next door literally and he was just outside my stairs having a cigarette.  He's super short but was really nice.  

My phone buzzed at my side table and I groaned, turning over. I peeked an eye open and looked at my alarm clock. Ten a.m. on a Saturday. I'd been stuck with three 8 o'clock classes my first semester so I relished my sleep-in days. Rubbing at my eye I picked up my iPhone and glanced at the caller ID. Lin. The guy rarely called me, except if it was an emergency or I was in real trouble with my mom. I cleared my throat and unplugged the phone from the charger and spoke a sleepy hello.

"Hey, man," Lin greeted me from the other end. I could hear Alex and Jack playing in the background. "You awake?"

"Not really," I told him honestly. I let out a big yawn and stretched my free arm to the side. My roommate was still completely out, as per usual. "Everything okay?"

He let out a breath through his mouth. "Your mom's having a bit of a rough time," he told me, his voice low. "Wedding plans going astray, kids acting up. She could really use a pick-up. Are you planning on coming home anytime soon?"

I hadn't talked to Lin since I'd broken up with his daughter. And who wanted to talk to the father of an ex-girlfriend, even if he was the man your mother was soon going to marry? I hadn't been home since I'd moved into my dorm about five weeks ago. Partially because it was my first time away and I liked the freedom and partially avoiding Joey. Sure, it was a cowardly thing to do, but I was a nineteen year old guy. That's what we do.

"Uh...no I wasn't planning on it..." I said like a question.

"Listen," he leveled with me. "I know it might be awkward with Joey around, but your mom would really like to see you. She misses you. We all miss you. Just for the day?"

I ran my fingers over my hair, considering. I was good at making excuses and I certainly could in this instance. Midterms, sports, labs, papers...but something told me I shouldn't. I loved my mom and while I didn't want to hang out with her constantly like I did when I was five, it had been a while. If my mom really was struggling, I didn't want to make it any worse.

"Uhhh...yea I think I could make that happen," I told him somewhat reluctantly.

"Really?" he sounded surprised. "That would be great, Elliott. I think it would really perk her up. What time do you think you could be here?"

I looked at the time again. "Maybe noon?"

We finished up the phone conversation and I sat up, knowing if I just laid back down again I'd fall asleep. After dicking around on my phone for a few, catching up on social media, I grabbed my shower caddy and towel and hit the bathroom.

As I showered I thought about what I would say and do around Joey. It had been a couple weeks now since I'd had any contact with her. She'd texted me a few times after I broke it off. I tried to be gentle about it, but there was no point in trying to fake feelings for her. I loved Joey and I think a part of me always would, but I just couldn't see myself continuing to be with her right now. I know it hurt and that's the last thing I wanted to do to Joey, but wasn't dragging it out worse? Wouldn't it be shittier to keep dating her, leading her on, when both of us could be dating other people that were better for us?

We'd had a pretty solid relationship in high school but things were different now. When I'd graduated I told myself I'd make every effort to keep the relationship up. We could make it work. I could be patient and wait for her. And I tried. Maybe not for long enough, but I just had a gut feeling. Now that I was at college things were different. All around me, guys dated girls freely with no strings attached. College girls had come on to me and I'd had to push them away. There were some I was interested in and I felt like I was missing out by not letting myself be single. Wasn't college about figuring out who you were? And wasn't part of that having different experiences with different people? How could I do that if I was tied down with Joey?

I knew she'd taken it rough. I still had friends at Hunter who said she'd been down lately. I hadn't asked Mom and Lin about her because I didn't want to know. I didn't want the guilt. Maybe that made me an insensitive jerk, but what was I supposed to do? Ask for constant updates and send her chocolate?

I wasn't sure if the time that had gone by was good or bad. Maybe it had given her some time to think and heal. Maybe it was making her resentful. Did she hate me? I couldn't blame her if she did. As I put on my fresh clothes and found my wallet and keys I decided I wouldn't overthink it. Whatever happened happened. I would be honest with her.

I hopped on the subway and soon I was back in the Heights. Strange how I'd only been away for five weeks but it seemed like an eternity. So much had happened since I'd been away, but the neighborhood was exactly the same. I took in the sights, a bit surprised at how good it felt to be home.

When I walked in the door I was bombarded by the munchkins. "Elliott!!!" they both practically screamed as they ran at me. I laughed and just sat down on the floor, surrendering myself to being pummeled. They hugged me so hard and fast that I fell over onto my back. We all laughed as they climbed all over me.

"Elliott!" I heard my mom emerge from the hallway. I smiled widely as I sat up then stood. The look in my mom's eyes kind of broke my heart. Like she hadn't seen me in years and had never been happier than she had in that moment.

"Mom," I said simply, grinning. I walked into her arms and she held me for a long while, swaying back and forth.

"I missed you so much," she told me, her face buried in the crook of my neck. I'd been taller than her for a while now, but in that moment she seemed so much smaller than usual. She'd looked...tired. Run down. Lin wasn't kidding that she was going through a rough patch. As she pulled away I caught a glance of Lin, cleaning up some of the lunch dishes at the table. He gave me a supportive nod.

"Sorry I haven't visited," I told her, setting my phone and wallet on the counter. "Things have been crazy."

"I'm sure," she told me, pulling out one of the breakfast stools. "I wanna hear all about it. You hungry?"

She patted the stool and I sat as she whipped around the kitchen, fixing me a grilled cheese with tomato soup, a Fall favorite. I started to tell her about my classes, my friends, the sports I was playing. Even though it was just a grilled cheese and soup it tasted amazing. I'd gotten so used to the dorm cafeteria food that I'd forgotten what real food tasted like.

As I was getting into my intramural basketball league a door opened down the hallway. I'd lived here for over two years and knew the sound of the creak – Joey's door. I took a sip of my water, nervous, and tried to continue with what I was saying. A few moments later Joey emerged, dressed in her soccer uniform. It was Saturday and it was Fall, so I'm sure she had a game. I kept my eyes down but felt her look over at me. She stopped where she was, taking in the sight of me. What was she thinking? Was she horrified to see me sitting here in the kitchen, like old times? Was she glad to see me?

I looked over at her and gave her a weak half-smile. She stared at me, looking thrown off. She looked...thin. She was pretty skinny to begin with, but now she looked even thinner. Her face was missing the usual perkiness and sparkle I was so used to seeing. Had I done this to her?

I gave her a tiny wave with my hand, not knowing what else to do. Idiot. Lin said something to her and she nodded, adjusting her ponytail. Mom passed her a water bottle and she said thanks. She glanced at me as she went by with a look that said she couldn't believe I was here. But where else was I supposed to go? This was my home too. I looked away as she reached the door, letting it shut loudly.

"Give her a while," Mom told me. "She's still dealing with some feelings."

"Yeah, I bet," I let my head drop, feeling like shit. Breaking up was never easy but this unique situation made it so much worse. It was probably a mistake to date in the first place. Why hadn't our parents forbidden it? Oh yeah, because we were obnoxious, stubborn teenagers with raging hormones who would've found a way to be together anyways.

Lin walked over, setting some plates in the sink and they stood together. "She's looking really thin," I commented. "Is she okay?"

They looked at each other and I knew that meant no.

"She's been struggling a bit," Lin admitted, crossing his arms. "But she'll get through it."

I sighed and took another drink of my water. I wasn't sure how much I should ask. Did I want the details of how my ex-girlfriend was struggling with our breakup? Obviously it wasn't going great, but what should I do about it? Go back out with her? I couldn't go back to living a lie. But I still cared deeply for her and hated to see her struggling.

After clearing my dishes I headed back to my old bedroom. It obviously hadn't been completely empty. I imagine the little kids were in here sometimes, jumping on my bed and getting into my stuff like they'd always done. There were a couple things I realized I needed back at college so I started going through some of my drawers and closet, picking out some clothing to take back. As I was making a pile, Lin knocked on the open door.

"Hey," he said, stepping inside and closing the door.

"What's up?" I asked.

He sighed and sat down on the bed. "I know you're concerned about Joey," he told me, leaning forward on his elbows. I sat next to him. "And so are your mom and I, but we're taking steps to help her."

"How bad is it?" I asked. Lin had always been honest with me. I liked that he always treated me like a real human being, not just a kid.

"She's depressed," he leveled with me. "Your mom took her to the doctor and got her on some meds, but they take a while to kick in. Until then, the doctor said to try to remain active."

"She's so thin," I commented.

Lin nodded. "She'd lost some weight," he acknowledged. "But we're trying to make sure she eats a good breakfast and dinner."

"Is there anything I should do?" I asked, looking at him.

"Well, this is obviously a unique situation," he went on. "Your parents are getting married and this is still your home. Pip and I were always a bit hesitant about letting you guys date in case it ended up like this. But..." he scratched his goatee, "It is what it is. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. If she wants to talk, talk, but don't think we blame you for this."

That was a lot coming from the father of the girl's heart I broke. Lin was a stand-up guy for sure. "Thanks, Lin," I told him genuinely. "That means a lot."

"You've got it, bud," he said, clapping my back. "We'll all get through this. Don't worry. Your mom was wondering if you'd like to go to the park with the kids in a bit? Then get some ice cream?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I told him as he got up. Lin left me be and I let out a breath. The family was trying to release me of any guilt about breaking it off with Joey, but I was my own worst critic right now. I sat on my old bed and stared up at the ceiling. How was I going to navigate my old life, here with Mom and Lin and Joey, when the rest of my life was trying to move forward?