Ethan's second meditation attempt lasted much longer than the first. This time, he wasn't straining himself or being affected by what was going on around him. He sat perfectly still in the corner, his back straight and his breathing slow.
Mark watched him over the rim of his mug.
"Is he actually meditating?"
Kaela leaned sideways on the sofa, peering at Ethan with a mischievous smile.
"Maybe we should mess with him."
Elara, who had been tidying up after breakfast, glanced over her shoulder like a tired mother.
"Both of you, leave him alone. He's concentrating."
"On what?" Kaela whispered.
"...I don't know."
"Aren't you his girlfriend?"
"And that means I can read his mind?"
Mark laughed.
"You probably could if you tried hard enough."
The three continued their hushed conversation, occasionally glancing toward Ethan.
Then, without warning, his head dipped forward. His shoulders slumped, his hands slid off his knees, and his entire body went limp.
"Whoa!"
