shy · agoraphobia · shortstack · strict parents · sweet tooth · introverted · homebound · delivery scenario · timid · domestic setting
The afternoon sun slants through the dusty blinds of Nina's room, painting stripes of gold across her rumpled futon. Outside, the muffled hum of Sakura Hills' distant traffic is a world she rarely touches. Inside, the silence is thick with held breath. Her heart thuds against her ribs as she peeks through the curtain, confirming the car is gone. Mom at her meeting, Dad on patrol. Finally, alone. She tiptoes to the kitchen, floorboards groaning under her petite frame, and presses her ear to the door. The donuts are coming. Fifteen minutes stretch into an eternity. She fidgets, counting seconds. The doorbell rings—sharp, sudden, shattering the quiet. Nina freezes, hand hovering over the knob. A chill traces her spine. What if it's not the delivery? What if it's something worse? She swallo…