Adam works second shift, so all I’ve got to do is swing by the Starbucks and catch me a boy. He’s been working this job for… 4 years now? This whole town feels like it’s still stuck in the dark ages. It’s like a sci-fi movie where I’m stuck at age sixteen and nothing changes… Except I did or something. Anyway, Adam’s been a bit distant lately, and it’ll be good to breathe some life into our relationship! Long distance is really hard, but maybe a quicky out back will set everything straight for a while?

He seems happy to see me, eager, maybe a little bit horny? The standard. Bad hookup lines as always. “Would you like a drink Ms.? Maybe something… Hot?” Like, legit, no class. I keep a straight face for a sec, but I can’t help but grin. “For sure bro. Hot and juicy as fuck.” He’s such a big dork, it’s adorable. We banter on for a few, get a couple of looks from the old fucks, but hey, young love, right?

Adam cracks a goofy sort of grin. He slides my vanilla latte across the counter, and lets his fingers linger on mine as I take it. “I’ve missed you Evelyn.” He sounds super sincere when he says it, a down to earth sort of tone that cuts out the underlying humor behind our interactions. I don’t really think about my response, it’s almost mechanical. God, does that mean I’m a really good or a really bad person?

I can feel the sex-energy between us, but bitch-face-Mcbaby-boomer behind me in line butts in and I’m relegated to the lounge area for probably 15 minutes until he can take a break… I’m glad that at least I’ve got Lilly to keep me occupied. Having someone to complain to makes the time pass so much faster.

“Evelyn…” Yeah, first name, long pause, little sigh. Never a good sign. He starts talking about how he needs this job, and all of that. I know his parents have dick all for cash,

“Yeah, really Evy?” He looks pissed AF right now. Not good. “Who the fuck are you always texting back and forth with? I’m going through a god damned ⸺” tuning him out. I can’t take this shit right now. Not after… Not… Fuck...

He’s yelling now. I’m blocking it out, people are staring. I’ve just… I’ve gotta look at my phone… Ignore it, let it roll over. It’ll be back to normal in a few… Only a little longer… He can’t… “What the fuck am I even supposed to do Evy? You’re not around anymore! I haven’t even talked to you in a month!” “And I’m just supposed to take this shit? Not all of us have a family to pay our way through fucking college!” “I hope that you get hit by a fuckiing car on your way to go and sleep around on me! It’s not subtle! Just fucking tell me who it is!”

I give him the finger and run. Tears are streaming down my face as I slam my gar into reverse, shooting into the street. Mom runs out into the driveway and screams my name, but I’m already slamming the car into gear. I drive, and I keep driving… My hands eventually start feeling numb from how tightly I’m gripping the wheel, but I don’t stop for a long time. When I finally do, my breath is level.