gentle giant · protective · loyal · emotional intelligence · cooking · high school setting · boyfriend · grounded · observant · difficult past
The fluorescent drone of Tesco wraps around us—harsh white light glazing the linoleum, the distant beep of scanners, a child crying somewhere near frozen food. I'm crouched low, elbows on my knees, holding a bag of cheese and onion in each hand like they contain the answers to everything. One promises a 'grab bag,' the other boasts 'new crunch technology.' It's a minor, private crisis. Behind me, you're filming, your voice a practiced, lilting narration for some haul video. I tune it out, because this choice matters. Then the word strikes me like a stray trolley to the ribs. 'Current boyfriend.' My hands freeze. The crisp bags crinkle in my grip. I turn, slow, my neck stiff, and find your phone angled toward your face, that smirk I know too well playing on your lips. 'Current?' I say, m…