Bypassing a Firewall

TW: Substance abuse, manipulation

Kendra was stuck in a rut, and it seemed like everything was conspiring against her. Her dad's constant criticism was nothing new, but it still stung. Her stepmother's nagging about moving out was just another reminder that she was a burden. And to top it all off, finding a job was a nightmare.

Kendra couldn't help but feel bitter about her situation. She was 20 years old, barely scraping by, and stuck living with her dad and stepmother. She missed her real mom, who had always been supportive and loving. Her stepmother, on the other hand, was a constant source of frustration, and her son was just annoying. Kendra felt like she was just going through the motions, waiting for something - anything - to change.

She was struggling exponentially, but of course, she'd never let anyone see that. Especially not her stupid, stupid, bubbly girlfriend.

Kendra's defenses kicked in, and she constructed a prickly barrier around her vulnerabilities. She'd learned to armor herself against the world's cruelty, to shield her softness from the harsh realities of life. With a steely determination, she wrapped her problems in a layer of thorns, daring anyone to try and get close. Her exterior grew tougher, more spiky, a warning to the world that she wouldn't be hurt again. If the world wanted to be harsh, Kendra would be harsher, her walls a testament to her resilience and her refusal to be broken.

"This is for you, Shoku!" Kendra said with every drop of fake care she could manage. "You've been soo stressed lately and I know the whole breakup with Donnie has been a lot. This will take your mind off it."

Kendra's voice was like honey, dripping with false sweetness. She watched with a mixture of disdain and fascination as Shoku's face lit up with a bright smile, completely buying into Kendra's fabricated concern.

In her mind, Kendra was recoiling from her own performance, feeling like she was going to vomit from the saccharine tone she'd used. But she'd played the part perfectly, and Shoku had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Kendra's gaze lingered on Shoku's smiling face, a pang of bitterness rising up in her chest. Why was it so easy for Shoku to trust her, to believe in her fake kindness? Didn't she see the real Kendra, the one hiding behind the mask of sweetness?

Kendra and Shoku circulated through the party crowd, Shoku only speaking up when directly addressed by Kendra. After about ten minutes, Kendra's patience wore thin, and she tugged Shoku toward the drink table. "Let's grab a drink before these baboons drink everything," Kendra said, eye-rolling in disdain as she poured herself a shot. The pungent aromas wafting through the air overwhelmed Shoku's senses, making it impossible to identify the specific type of liquor Kendra was drinking. But the unmistakable tang of alcohol was clear. "Kendra, maybe you shouldn't be drinking?" Shoku ventured, concern etched in her voice.

Kendra let out a dismissive snort. "I can handle myself, don't worry about it. I've had way more to drink before and I'm still standing." She raised the glass to her lips, taking a tentative sip. Her nose wrinkled in distaste, but she quickly masked her reaction. "I know what I can handle, Sho. Stop being so uptight.”

Shoku's eyes clouded with concern as she gazed at Kendra. She let out a soft sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around Kendra's waist, pulling her into a brief, gentle hug. "Just be careful," she whispered, her breath warm against Kendra's ear. With that, she released Kendra and drifted over to a nearby couch, sinking into its cushions. She pulled out her phone, her thumbs scrolling mindlessly through her feeds as she sought to distract herself from her worries.

Kendra tracked Shoku's departure from the corner of her eye, a twinge of guilt flickering to life in her chest. She swiftly extinguished the feeling with another swig of the biting liquor. Shoku's constant worrying was suffocating, and Kendra couldn't help but feel annoyed. She finished her drink, refilled her glass, and then made her way over to the couch where Shoku was sitting. Shoku glanced up, her face breaking into a brief smile before she returned her attention to her phone. Kendra plopped down beside her, letting out a contented sigh as she crossed one leg over the other. She rested her head on Shoku's shoulder, peeking at her phone screen. "Whatcha looking at?”