ETHEREAL.

‛     –––––     !     stop doing that.     ’     third time’s the charm.  at this rate,  they’ll have perfected the  startled kitten  sound by eight.

❛   my brother  apologizes  to shut the bitch up.  you actually think he  means  it ?  —  but hey,  if you want me to lie,  just  say  so.  &  don’t give me that shit,  i didn’t  make  you do a goddamn thing.  in fact,  this is the first time i’ve heard you complain.   ❜    he’s a compound of vitriol  &  excuses,  most of which are on seth.  tell her you’re busy.  it leaves a sour taste in his mouth.    ❛   you wanted the  high school experience,  right ?  you got it.   ❜

muscles relax,  tension  eased  in increments from the point of contact.  laid flat,  each palm spans almost the entire width from hip to thigh.    ❛   you’re the expert.  show me.   ❜

                “               anythin’ ya want me ta be, sweetheart. though, really,                      d’ya NEED somethin’ from me ?       ”

❛   this entire  school  knows about seth,  but you,  what  —  you missed that squad meeting ?  the only time they’re not talkin’ about  themselves  is when they’re talkin’ shit.  everybody  knew.   ❜    it’d be easier to make water flow uphill than to make him admit that she’s  right.    ❛   no,  you’re  not  an idiot.  that’s the problem.  i thought you were  better  than this.   ❜

‛     &   who are  you  supposed to be ?     ’

❛   trophy wife ?  jesus.  you’ve been watching too many  daytime soaps.   ❜    dripping with derision,  more than he has any right to feel.    ❛   &  you have no goddamn idea what you’re talkin’ about,  do you  —  because  we aren’t a couple,  so what the fuck d’ you care ?  you could’ve screwed around with anybody,  but it  had  to be the son of a bitch who almost got my brother  expelled.   ❜

‛     there is no  picture.  there’s just you,  him,   &   some stupid pissing contest i’m not apart of.  i’m not interested in being anyone’s trophy wife.  why are you getting so mad ?  we aren’t a  couple.     ’

❛   yeah,  &  whose fault is  that,  huh ?   ❜     she has a penchant for  stroking his ego  even when he doesn’t deserve it.  they’re an easy fit.  effortless.    ❛   can’t help it if i like the way it sounds.   ❜