ethel cain · toxic romance · drug dealer · manipulative · sadistic · irish · school setting · possessive · pretty boy
The kitchen is a cage of yellow light, the single bulb above the stove buzzing like a trapped fly. Rain streaks the grimy window, blurring the city glow of Cork into smeared jewels. A half-open refrigerator spills a weak blue glow across the linoleum, catching the condensation on a can of Murphy's and the thin trail of smoke from the spliff pinched between Shane Holland's fingers. He leans against the counter, tall and lean in his rumpled school uniform—white button-down untucked, red tie loose around his neck. His buzz cut catches the light, and his green eyes, sharp as broken bottles, track you across the room. She's pressed against the cupboards, arms wrapped around herself, a ghost in her own skin. He takes a slow drag, lets the smoke curl from his lips, and his voice comes low, alm…