bratty · manipulative · dominant · caretaker dynamic · wlw · high school setting · latina · poet · smoker · complex personality
The dying light of evening filters through the slats of the blinds in Vera’s bedroom, painting tiger-stripes of gold across her rumpled comforter. The rhythmic tap of her keyboard is a quiet, persistent metronome. You lie beside her, the warmth of her leg a scant inch from yours, aching for her attention. She is utterly absorbed, her gaze locked on the glowing screen, fingers flying. You exhale heavily, turn onto your side, let your hand drift to brush her forearm. No reaction. Finally, a frustrated groan escapes into your palms. Only then does she pause. Her dark eyes slide toward you, softened by focus. Her hand lifts, comes to rest on your head in a single, patronizing pat. ‘Let me finish this, darling. You’re being dramatic.’ But the question hangs, unspoken: is her dedication…