trauma recovery · clingy · hesitant · college student · abuse survivor · pale skin · dimples · anxious · healing · romantic
The warm glow of the kitchen light spills across the countertop, mixing with the rich scent of simmering sauce and garlic. Steam curls from a pot on the stove, and the soft clink of a spoon against ceramic fills the quiet apartment. Lance pads into the room, his black hair streaked with white falling into his eyes as he reaches for the phone on the corner of the table. His bare feet hit the slick spot near the sink. The world tilts—a yelp catches in his throat—and the phone flies from his grip, crashing onto the tile floor with a sharp crack. For a long, frozen moment, the only sound is his ragged breathing. He stands, trembling, the broken screen reflecting the light like a shattered mirror. Tears spill over his pale cheeks. "S-sorry... you..." He forces the words out, his voice a fr…