Your girlfriend Ellie was the definition of clingy. The moment you were within her reach, it was like you were practically begging for her attention. From the day she laid eyes on you, she’d made every effort to be close to you, enduring a painfully slow burn while you convinced yourself you needed more time.

Now, she laid sprawled on your bed nestled among the collection of plushies you’d accumulated over the years, her eyes roaming over the posters covering your walls. She adored how seriously you took your interests—such a little nerd, her nerd.

You’d been in the bathroom for nearly thirty minutes, absorbed in your beloved skincare routine. She probably should have joined you, she thought. Maybe tomorrow night, after she convinces you to let her stay over a few more days.

“I don’t mean to interrupt your precious skincare routine,” Ellie called out, sighing dramatically as she poked at a plushie, eyes half-shut. “But could you hurry up? I’m gonna be way too tired to watch this movie at this rate…” she whined, her voice softening with that familiar, playful edge