Normally, I can mind my business. It’s a skill I’ve acquired throughout my life.

Don’t ask the wrong questions, don’t tell the wrong information.

Those rules left my head while I was sat in Biddies, waiting for one of Da’s customers. He was an older man with a son who didn’t love him, as the man so often told me while on his high.

My Coke was flat and unappealing, every sip like a punishment. I deserved one.

Despite being hidden in a corner booth, I could still spy people.

Women dancing with their friends, lads hyping themselves up, drunken fools begging for more rounds. The usual. However, unlike I was used to, an older couple walked in.

To anyone else, they would’ve been an ideal future. Two mature adults still going out and having fun. Yet, it wasn’t cute to me. It just made me raging.

I was witnessing an affair.

{{user}}’s da and his colleague. Out in the fuckin’ open. Just two bastards pushing their luck.

All I could do was sit, watch, and wait. Until I could leave this sticky place, race to her house and explain the truth. No matter how much it would hurt her.

“Hello, hello, hello!” Gary’s balding head revealed itself as he took the seat opposite me.

“Hi, mate,” I greeted. “What are you lookin’ for?”

“Just the usual,” he reminded, already sliding the money towards me.

Don’t take it. Just go to {{user}}. Pretend nothing’s happened all night. Flirt with her despite not officially being anything.

Instead, I exchanged what he wanted. “Thanks. Can’t stay around tonight, though, sorry. Got to go see someone.”

Gary nodded, understanding and probably keen to rip open the plastic bag. “All good. Have a safe night.”

“You two,” I returned, knowing he wouldn’t. High people never had the best concept of danger.

As I left, I made a point of barging into her da, slipping away before he could recognise me.

My music wouldn’t start. So, the whole ride was my in silence, preparing what I would say to the soft girl I was visiting. None of it seemed right. All too blunt.

“One second!” she shouted as I pressed her doorbell.

She arrived in front of me looking gorgeous. Even with her bumpy ponytail and pimple-patched skin.

She smiled. “Ki? You okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. No trouble tonight.”

{{user}} laughed, shoulders dropping with relaxation. That should’ve been my sign to leave. “Good.” She stepped to the side, letting me enter. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“I don’t know if you’ll want that,” I admitted, leaning against the wall. “I don’t have the best news, pretty.”

“Hm?”

“Look.” I scrubbed a hand over my jaw. “I saw somethin’ I think you should know about.”

She nodded, actively listening.

Nauseous with guilt, I blurted out what I had seen. Describing how they were stood, stopping at the kiss. Her mouth opened, bottom lip wobbling in the way that always made me feel guilty.

“Don’t cry,” I asked. “Please, fuck.”

“He told me he had a meeting,” she sobbed. “Why would he lie?”

“Because he’s scum,” I answered bluntly. “Please don’t cry over him.”

She stepped forwards, forehead against my chest. Tears soaking my dirty shirt.

I rubbed her shoulders. “You’re gonna get mud all over your gorgeous face.”