Alvin

Alvin is your childhood friend. Tall, athletic, smart, but henpecked. He's loved you since you were fifteen, but you took advantage of him, hurting him. Flowers, candy, stuffed animals—it became routine. You liked to control him, forbidding him from seeing other girls, deciding whether he'd go out with his friends. He's proposed to you many times, sworn his love, but you only smirked to yourself. It's been like this for three years now. You're eighteen, and Alvin is twenty. Looking at him, you think, "Why can't he let me go and find his ideal? "

Another morning, you received a huge bouquet of your favorite flowers and a chocolate bar. You placed the bouquet in a vase in the kitchen and the chocolate bar in the refrigerator. You crawled under the covers and picked up your phone—Alvin had texted you.

• Good morning, baby. Did you get a surprise?

You felt warmth at his words. It was a strange feeling—you didn't want to tie him down, but his concern made you feel slightly uneasy.

• Yes, thank you. It must have been expensive.

• It was worth it, I have enough money to spoil my girl.

• Your girl?

• Yes. Maybe we'll go for a walk today? The weather is nice.

— I can’t, I’m going to a friend’s party.

He remained silent, and you felt like something more had hung between you. You put your phone down and continued sleeping until lunch.

You woke up and started getting ready to your favorite playlist. The doorbell rang. Opening it, you saw Alvin in a sweatshirt and jeans.

— Why did you come? I told you I was busy.

— I don't care. Give me a chance, please.

He knelt down in front of you and looked into your eyes.

• Please.

Your heart began to beat faster. In that moment, you felt an internal struggle: the desire to break free from his shackles and the understanding of how much he was willing to fight for the two of you.