laced

two

I watched the plate fall out of my shaking hands.

I tried to clean up the shards of the white plate as quick as I could, but he was already making his way down the stairs.

I started trembling more than what i already was, and hot tears seeped out of my eyes and he neared me.

"i-i didn't, it was an accident, i didn't mean to-"
He grabbed my arm and yanked me up with more force than necessary, and added another splatter of paint to my already filled canvas of bruises.
I tried to calm myself down, but I couldn't, and it was irritating him more.
"if you don't shut your mouth, im going to have to break your jaw. do you really want another hospital visit? how are you going to make up an excuse for a broken jaw, Tyler?"

I wiped away my tears and quietly reply with a 'no'. He smacked me across the face, telling me to clean up the mess I made.
I quickly finished picking up the broken glass, and throw it away after he's back on the second floor.

••

That night wasn't so bad. he was back to his normal self.
He called me up to his room and I obediently rushed up the stairs and into his room.

"Tyler, love, I'm sorry about earlier. do you forgive me?"

I hesitated before nodding.

"use your words, Tyler."

"yes."

He pat's my spot on the bed, and walk over to the matress, sitting beside him. He snakes his muscular arms around me and kisses my cheek. His lips were chapped and cracked.
I internally winced, the kiss being placed on a now purpling bruise.
"I love you, tyler."

I swallow down the urge to cry right there and then, knowing nothing ends well when I cry.

"I love you t-too."

••

The next day he sent me out to go get some groceries. I grab the money he left me on the counter and put on my coat. I quickly slipped on my boots and scurried out of the door.

I always had the option to take the bus to the store, but I prefer to walk. I'm hardly able to go outside, so I like to enjoy it while I can.

eventually I reached the building and pull out the crumbled piece of paper that was in my coat pocket.
I scan over the list while getting a shopping cart and pushing it inside.
The first few minutes in the store
was a breeze, that was until I got to the third item on the list. milk.
They didn't have fucking milk.

My lip began to tremble and i started to cry, right there in the store, in front of everyone. He was going to be mad, he was going to be mad and it's not even my fault. My breaths became uneven as I broke down, the stairs of strangers wasn't making anything better either. I sat down on the ground next to the shopping cart and try to wipe away my urge to sob.

I was to invested in crying to notice that someone had sat next to me.
He had bright bubblegum pink hair, and that alone was enough to make my sobs die down slightly.

"are you alright?"

"yes, I'm okay."

He frowned at me, examining the bruises. He gestured at my face,
"are you sure?",

and out poured more sobs. The boy with bubblegum hair rested a hand on my back and began to rub softly in a circular motion, and I started to calm down. He didn't seem to mind when I leaned my head against his shoulder, tears still making their way down my face.

"they're out of milk."
I finally say after minutes of silence.
the boy stands up suddenly, grabbing my hand and helping me up.
He suddenly walks off and i sighed softly, fumbling with the list, my hands were still trembling.
He came back a few minutes later holding a carton of milk, and he placed it in my cart.
I look over at him, my eyes watering again, and I manage to choke out,
"thank you"

he nodded, in response,
"my name is Josh."

I smile slightly, Josh.

"I'm Tyler."

Notes: sorry, this is a bit short, also Josh got the carton of milk by taking it out of someone else's buggy lmao