A new king

RUBY JUNE.

I sat outside, wrapped in a blanket, the cool evening breeze doing little to ease the tension building inside me. The fireflies flickered in the garden, carefree, while my mind churned with thoughts I couldn’t escape. I didn’t even notice Bruno until he sat down beside me.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, though he had already made himself comfortable.

I gave a small nod, barely able to meet his eyes.

“How are you holding up?” he asked gently, his gaze lingering on my face, as if trying to read something I wasn’t ready to show.

I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to sound steady. “I’m fine, oh,” I replied, but the words felt empty, even to me.

Bruno wasn’t convinced. “You have been distant since yesterday,” he said, watching me carefully.

I turned to him, my face tight with unspoken e……