FRICTION

Ch. 15: Affect

-Eric-

"Took you long enough."

Those were the first words out of Shawn's mouth as I stepped into the room, a thinly veiled taunt followed by a smug, knowing look. He was leaning back in his leather chair, peering up with the ghost of a smirk on his face and comfortably wearing the oblivious audacity of a grown man who hadn't been backhanded before.

I didn't humor him with a response.

Or rather, I tensely clenched my jaw shut in frustration, certain that I'd regret saying whatever was poised on the tip of my tongue, fervent to strike for the jugular. Which was close enough.

So, I swallowed down the poison like I ought to. And then again for good measure.

Unfocused eyes honed in on the card in my hand, thumb running over the crease on the bottom right corner, eager to crush the paper within my trembling fist.

I placed the dry cleaner's business card down on his desk, pressing my fingertips against the glossy finish before sliding it forward towards him. Then, I let go and turned around, decidedly heading towards the door. The sooner I could get away from him, the better.

Or, well, at least I tried.

"H-hey! Where are you going?" Shawn questioned incredulously, scoffing under his breath as I stood inches from freedom. "Get back here, brat."

Begrudgingly, I turned around to frown back at him. "Yes, Mr. Briggs?" I called out through gritted teeth, voice even despite the sharpness of my pulse. I warily held my hands close to my sides, hoping he wouldn't notice the way they were still shaking... like I couldn't wait to crawl out of my skin.

"You're still on the clock," Shawn replied, narrowing his eyes. "Sit."

I sat.

My hands curled around the arms of the chair, tightly gripping onto them, nails digging into the cool material. Though, it was still to be determined if it was for my own sake or his.

I stared back with knit brows, squinting in confusion.

His mouth was moving, yet I couldn't quite focus on the words. I could vaguely hear them in parts, my eyes narrowing as I tried to make them out by reading his lips. Something about going to pick up his lunch. And to not take... hours? Ah. To not take hours this goddamn time. Right.

"Did you hear that?" Shawn asked loudly, derisive and blunt. "At least pretend you're listening, kid."

I just nodded my head, unable to tear my gaze away from his eyes.

Yeah. I recognized those eyes. That expression. The glint of apathetic amusement as he gazed down at ants and determined which one to crush with his bare fingers. He had the same detached, condescending gaze as before, so why did I feel like clawing my eyes out?

I shuddered, trying not to avert my gaze. But it was difficult all of a sudden. I had seen that expression before. On my first-grade teacher when I pronounced three as tree. On my sophomore year counselor when I told her I was aiming for a full ride to uni. On my parents...

I lowered my head, unable to catch my breath.

Clearing my throat forced some air into my lungs, though that was temporary. I—I needed to get out of here.