ave paid my bill, walked out t

or to my own humiliation. I

orially. "So, what about Cale

, her expression unreadable.

led, a cruel, sharp sound. "He's so wrapped

o defend me. To say

ld and flat. "Can we not talk a

my bike hitting the asphalt. Ruining her mood. I was an inconvenience. A nuisa

ther had a debilitating stroke. She was drowning in grief and medical bills. Luis, the guy she thought was her fut

with a hopeless crush. I saw her crying outside the student union one day, looking utt

ich. And then I listene

office, her face pale with stress. Without a second thought, I went to the offi

r pride wounded. She tried to pay me back with a rigid

I told her. "It's a gift.

r safety net. And she, in turn, became my girlfriend. A role she played with detached perfection. I was so grateful for any piece

r gratitude

wasn't her boyfriend. I was a transaction. A debt she was repaying w

s glass. "To n

glass against his.

had worn off, and every part of me ached, inside and

toward th