In the Unlikely Event

by L.J. Shen

Kathleen swats Mal’s shoulder and keeps her hand on him, possessively. Sighing like it’s a job, he captures her wrist, turning her around and pinning her against the hallway wall in one swift movement. I halt, watching the situation unfold. He holds her like a farmer holds cattle, rough and without passion, but she is breathing hard. Her eyes, heavy-lidded and dripping lust, daring him to make another move. She lets out a little moan, flinching at her own lack of control and turning bright red. He looks down at her like she’s a chewed toy. The familiar, old type that is too nostalgic to throw away, but no one wants to play with anymore. “How’s school, Kiki?” he asks with a pang of regret in his voice, like he hates to do that—string her along. Then why does he? He knows exactly what he’s doing to her, and that bothers me, because I can see just how much