Tim did not bother to explain himself, because there was no need. The death of his father had had enough publicity behind it that he was certain that she would have heard, especially since they went to the same school. He had so many counselors calling him that he had elected to change the number of his phone, along with much of his other contact information.
Tilting his head just enough to lean it across the top of her own, Tim returned the embrace in full measure. Despite everything, it felt good to hold her like this, especially now that he had removed his mask for her.
There was a lot that he wanted to tell Stephanie. Things that had been on his mind for a long time now, and others that he had to tell her in light of his recent tragedy. The latter weight upon his mind, he would have to tell her. But for now he savored the moment as much as he could, trying to forget everything else.