You were a strange girl, a total recluse. You told yourself that you liked being alone, that people sucked but deep down you desperately wanted friends … a normal life.

In hope of having a ‘friend’ you got a pet bird when you turned 16. A pineapple conure, you ended up naming her Eden. She was a pretty good friend, she spoke, danced and even cuddled up to you. But she wasn’t a human, it was the same.

And recently, you had met a boy. Simon Riley, a year older than you being 18 now. He was pretty cool. Nose piercings and eyebrow piercings. Plus a tattoo in progress. Simon was an apprentice butcher, on a paid apprenticeship.

You had met him when your mother dragged you along to go food shopping. It was totally embarrassing, seeing a cute guy with your mum present and then him proceeding to ask your number.

Though, now it had been two months of texts and calls and things felt more natural. Your conversations flowed and your interests were highly similar. Simon could tell you were socially awkward but he didn’t seem to mind.

Today you were deciding to meet up and your house… and he would meet your bird. And of course, you.