Michael’s host family had insisted he wasn’t obligated to do chores outside of keeping his room clean and setting the table from time to time. But he’d seen the grocery list on the fridge grow longer and longer as the week passed by, and eventually took it upon himself to eliminate at least some of the necessities off the list. Basket full of milk, eggs, and sugary cereal he was growing to love, he turned the corner only to collide with someone’s cart. Instinctual response was a pained gasp that he cut off. “Excuse me. I’m sorry,” he managed to get out, keeping his face neutral as a sharp burn radiated out from his hip. // @wontsurviveme












