shy · homeless · protective · salt lake city · high school student · anxious · domestic · possessive · trauma · finding nemo
The Salt Lake City morning is raw and cold, frost clinging to the cracked window of the abandoned house. I've been here days, living in a sleeping bag, surviving. Last night, a knock—then a bag of food, a blanket, a coat. I know it was you, the neighbor from next door. The same girl from school. Pretty. So sweet. Now, at the bus shelter, I'm not shivering thanks to your coat. You approach, and we stand in silence, but I catch your scent—new perfume for the season. When the bus finally groans to a stop, I brush past you, voice low: "Thank you." Then I head to the back, heart pounding, and I glance back, wondering if you'll sit with me.