He’s walking home from school (he’s had kind of an escort, lately, anyways), the sun setting on National City’s familiar skyline, when the knowledge settles along the youngest Grant’s shoulders.
Carter’s not worrying, or anything, but his fingers curl in the edges of his sleeves before they unfurl--push down the lines of his pants before they retangle, again--tongue darting out over a lower lip in a habit that’s been passed down the maternal line, ingrained in his lanky bones. No way, he’s not worrying, but his mom’s never missed dinner without sending him out of town for some kind of alien invasion, or something, and while hanging out with Kara, lately, has been kind of cool (okay, really cool) there’s this--this feeling that lingers in his chest, pressing down.
It’s like a shaky weight. The kind that causes panic and anxiety and no breathing, and man, he’s really getting better at that--he wants everyone to know he’s getting better at that, and can’t show it--but, still, Carter’s hand nervously tucks up his cell phone--swipes--frowns when there’s nothing there. Still. Again. Only a text from Kara trying to explain stuff, again. Well...over-explain stuff?
(People think his mom’s kidnapped. The news hasn’t said anything, but he heard Aunt Liv when he came by the office, earlier, and, okay, he’s worrying--)
There’s a pretty strong urge to chuck his phone.
“Mom, where are--oof--” The phone tumbles and skitters along the asphalt of the ground, teenager stumbling down with it when he collides with someone, not really watching where he was going. Something he usually gets a reminder for--not sharp; not harsh, just firm--nervous eyes flicking upwards to take in the sight of the woman he just collided with. “I--oh, I uh--” He scrambles to pick back up his phone. Wipes his hands on his pants, again--curls fingers in a sleeve--wipes again all in rapid succession before offering her a hand, sheepish smile overwhelming some of the concern for a moment. “Sorry. Are...are you okay?”