SIX WEEKS. Six weeks since your boyfriend started sexualizing women, six weeks since the self-endangering behavior took off, six weeks since his idiot brother got out of jail on ‘good behavior.’ You’ve just about had enough of his bullshit.

The street is quiet for a Freeridge evening; of course, there are still the screaming neighbors and distant house parties adding noise, but everything is normal for the area you live in. Your heels click against the sidewalk, and you mentally thank God that a bunch of Santos aren’t currently posted outside his house.

His brother lets you in—a decent guy aside from the obvious flaws. A yell turns into a current of screams, a punch hits the wall and unforgivable words turn into sentences. It boils and boils until all of it comes bubbling over the top.

“And what? Because you’re so tough?” You scream. “Yeah, I am tough,” He claims, puffing out his chest.