​CONTENT WARNINGS:

​Chronic Pain (Physical Disability)

​Emotional Abuse (Luz)

​Ableist Language (Luz)

​Phobias: Being Watched, Loud Noises.

​"I am glad you like it. Colton doesn't eat sweets, so I can't have him trying it anyway. He doesn't like them," Sev said.

​I slide a bit closer to Sev, but I flinch as the pain in my hip flares up again. I try to ignore it. "Here, have the other one. Let's eat cake pops together," I said, holding the second one out to him.

​I see his eyes light up with genuine happiness. "Okay," he said shyly, reaching out to take it. For a second, the heavy atmosphere of the store feels miles away. We’re just two people sharing a birthday snack.

​"Penny likes sweets," Sev said softly.

​"Oh, really? What is her favorite one?" I ask. Sev blushes and looks away immediately.

​"She says she loves all of them... but that nothing is as sweet as me," Sev murmured, looking at the wall in confusion. "I don't understand what she means."

​I smile to myself. That’s adorable. "Well, it sounds like she likes you," I said.

​He looks down, his expression turning somber. "No... I am ugly and imperfect," he said in a sad tone.

​I feel a pang in my chest. I understand exactly how he feels. "There is nothing wrong with you, Sev. You look perfect in my eyes, and I bet you look even more so in Penny’s," I said.

​He smiles and looks at me for a split second, though his eyes quickly dart to my nose—he can't seem to keep eye contact. But that’s okay. I don't mind.

​"He is right, Sev."

​I look over to see Colton standing there. Sev’s posture changes instantly. "Sorry, Colton. I know I wasn't supposed to talk to the employees," Sev said, sounding like he was bracing for a lecture.

​But Colton doesn't look mad or cold. He actually has a small smile on his face. "Sev, you can talk to Matthan. There’s nothing wrong with that," he said gently.

​I see Sev’s face light up. "Are we friends, Matthan?" he asks me.

​I feel a rush of genuine happiness. "Yes, we are, Sev," I said.

​A couple of hours have passed, and it’s time for the meeting. The nerves are back, hitting me in waves. I don’t want Luz to put me down again; I don’t think I can take her voice in my head right now.

​I start shaking, my hands trembling at my sides, but then I feel Colton’s large, heavy hands settle on my shoulders. The weight of them is grounding.

​"It’s okay, my perfect little mouse," Colton says in a soft tone. "And there's no need to be sad on your birthday. I have a surprise for you when we are done talking with Luz."

​I feel my face get warm. "Okay," I whisper.

​As long as Colton sees me as beautiful and perfect, that’s all I care about.

​We walk into the room I dread. I see Colton unlock the door and we step inside; the old yellow phone sits in the middle of the table, looking ominous.

​"Sit," Colton says in a calm tone, pulling out a chair. I sit down slowly, but my hip jolts with a sharp, needle-like pain. I close my eyes, trying to hide the wince, but I immediately feel Colton’s hand on my knee. He begins rubbing it slowly underneath the table, a secret comfort. My heart skips a beat. I look away, trying to focus on anything but the warmth of his palm.

​Suddenly, the phone goes off. Colton picks up the receiver and hits the button so the caller’s voice fills the room.

​"Oh, my perfect Colton... how has everything been?" Luz asks. Her voice is creepy and sweet, dripping with a fake motherly tone that makes my skin crawl.

​I look at Colton. He looks completely annoyed, his jaw set tight as he listens to her voice.

​"I am fine," Colton said in a cold, clipped tone.

​"That's good. And is everything going well in the store?" Luz asked, her voice sickly sweet.

​"Yes. Everything is going well, of course. I’ve been the boss here for a long time," he replied, his voice shifting into that commanding "Boss" tone.

​"Well, that’s true. You’ve been the boss there since you were eighteen. Now you’re thirty-six... you grow up so fast," she said with an odd, lingering tone.

​What? Colton is thirty-six? I hadn't realized he was that much older than me.

​"And Matthan..." Luz’s voice turned toward me like a spotlight. "How does it feel to be twenty-four? You’re getting quite old. I can’t say you’re in your prime, though... not with that hip of yours." She let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

​I felt so weak. I looked down at my hands, the "Vulture Thoughts" circling, but then I felt Colton lightly squeeze my knee.

​"He is just fine," Colton interrupted, his voice steady. "He is doing good. Even with his hip, he does more work than most people. Don't you think, Luz?"

​He said it in a mocking tone, throwing her own attitude back at her. I was stunned—my heart beat fast against my ribs. He just stood up for me.

​A low growl vibrated from the phone. "Well then. That’s good. We will see if that lasts," Luz growled. "We'll talk later, Colton." She laughed, but it sounded forced; she was clearly angry that he had challenged her.