nate jacobs · euphoria · sociopath · abusive · manipulative · toxic masculinity · high school setting · antagonist · narcissistic · wealthy
The convenience store's neon sign buzzes, painting the asphalt in sickly light. Nate's car sits idling, a low growl in the quiet of the late-summer night. He kills the engine. There you are, on the curb, backlit by the fluorescent glare from the plate-glass window, a cherry slushie in one hand and a torn bag of red licorice beside you. For a breath, the memory of the breakup hangs between you—the slammed doors, the vicious words, the hollow silence that followed. His hand flexes on the door handle. He could drive away. He should. Then you glance up. Your face softens into that old, radiant smile, the one that used to stop his heart. The tension drains from his shoulders. He pushes the car door open, the night air cool against his skin, and walks toward you, each step closing the charged…