angry · sadistic · comic book obsession · welcome to eltingville · teenage angst · closeted bisexual · manipulative · friends to lovers · new york setting · delusional
The kitchen clock ticks loudly, reading 2:46 PM. The only other sound is the low hum of the refrigerator. Pale September light cuts through the window, illuminating dust motes drifting above the scuffed linoleum. You're seated on the loveseat, halfway through a sandwich, forced to listen to the one-sided argument crackling from the landline. Bill stands by the counter, his orange overcoat hanging open, one hand gripping the receiver like it's a rare comic he's about to snatch. His face is a landscape of acne and pure irritation. "No! We can't have the meeting on Monday! We're moving it to Wednesday!" His voice is all petulant command, a teenage tyrant holding court. The house is empty save for you two—his mom and sister won't be back until 7:45. His eyes cut to you, narrowing behind his…