Dexter sat in front of me during the 2:00 break with a drink in his hand. I looked up from my light nap and brushed my bangs away from my face sheepishly. "Go away." I said unconvincingly.

He sipped his drink and settled more into his seat then looked up strangely at me while pushing up his glasses. "You've been acting off lately."

He paused like he was hesitating for words. "What's been on your mind?" he said looking deep in thought. His facial expression when I looked up still seemed unsatisfied.

My eyes narrowed. "What does it matter, geek ?" I shuffled in my chair feeling awkward. Why was he talking to me? It was making me feel uncomfortable and I wasn't in the playful joking around mode right now. Or ever, my mind subconsciously commented. I bit the inside of my cheek.

"I am your co-worker. Of course it matters."

"Ha. Don't pull that shit on me, fam. What do you want?"

"To get to know you." he said bluntly.

I chuckled softly and rubbed my back. "I don't do any of that sort, Dex so I guess you'll have to be on your merry way."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." he insisted and I scowled in acute frustration.

"What makes you think anything is wrong?"

"I can tell. You're never quiet in this place, and you know that. You're the "Burger King", remember?" he sounded like he was trying to cheer me up and I didn't answer. I was instantaneously brought back to when I barged into the Burger King one morning and I started yelling 'I'm the fucking Burger King, motherfuckers!'

"If I tell you, you'll leave me alone, right?" To be honest, I really haven't talked or tried to vent out to anybody and even if it's Dexter that I vented out to, it would alleviate some troubles and stress off my chest, for a minute maybe.

He shrugged.

"Fuck it." I sighed, and breathed out a huge puff of air. "My ex left me. I don't see a reason to be happy anymore. There. So I guess I look sad and shit to you," I concluded flustered like a blunt teenager.

He flipped his gingery red hair and looked thoughtful as he seemed to stare at my shirt. "I'm sorry."

"So yeah, and I don't have friends, or anyone I talk to, and I don't need anyone and I don't need family. I'm my own caretaker. You can only rely on yourself in this world. I don't need anyone. And I sure as hell don't need Vic---"

"There's so much sureness in your voice..."

I shrugged and twitched my mouth to the corner. "That's because I am sure," I huffed matter - of - factly.

He was staring at me not responding for heartbeats, and I felt unease squirm in my stomach. I looked up quickly and my gaze locked with his. His eyes were a mysterious grey and his long ginger bangs brushed over his glasses. What does he want from me? I looked away quickly, feeling awkward and gawky.

"You shouldn't." he said firmly, each word as if he was planting magic beans in my head. "You shouldn't do that to yourself. You can't live like that forever."

I pouted. "Why not? Do you think I'm not strong enough?"

He shook his head in disagreement. "I never said that. But why say no to help? That's just nonsensical. You haven't been yourself in a long time and I have noticed. You're quiet. Yes, you look confident, but you also look.... Sad, and down at times. It makes me wonder...."

"Wonder what?"

"What I can do to help you." he said.

Anger breathed through my body and I balled my hands into fists. "I told you, fool. I don't need help. Don't ask me that again, ever. Leave me alone-" I stood up from the table feeling a bit hot headed but I didn't care. "And stop watching me! I know I'm hot and all, but I don't like being stalked so yeah-" I noticed I sounded arrogant but pushed the thought aside when I noticed Dexter grinning softly. "What?"

"I never said I was gay, Kellin."

I shrugged. "Never said I was either."

"Vic? I've never in my life heard of a female named Vic."

I rolled my eyes. "Vic practically is a girl. He's adorable but he's still sexy as any sexy man, except 10 times sexier." I paused. "Stop smiling at me like that It's fucking weird."

He frowned. "Yeah, I'm a little weird, being so into education and all, but you're weird too. Yelling that you're the Burger King. Like who says that? But I like that about you. I think it's worth remembering for the future."

I felt slightly embarrassed that this ginger nerd had any interest in a loser like me at all, but I lost all my anger from it, so I just looked away from him, perhaps the wall or the musty glass windows and then mumbled "Thank you." I made eye contact for a split second while in the process of walking out of the door.

All the time I started the engine of my car, I wondered, why is he just suddenly talking to me now? What possessed this kid to even want to voice that he'd want to help me? Is he studying to be a fucking therapist?

Those were the worst. Dr. Seamen always saying he cared about me, when he probably had a million other patients. I'm not even worth mentioning.

I'd never in a million years see Dexter being a therapist anyway. There's just no way. Maybe like a scientist or something, a mathematician, but I'm sure as hell all his studies could never consolidate to be a dumbass therapist.

As soon as I get home, I go to take a warm shower, then jump into bed, pulling the covers over me, feeling like the child with my legs bunched up to my knees, instantly bringing me back to memories of Vic and I's daddy kink. I couldn't repress feelings like I wanted to before my eyes flooded with tears full of broken memories, all the while my face between my knees. I'm all I have left, yet as I attempt to hold myself together, I am falling apart with each tear that escapes.