bonus short story from the pov of an unnamed item

the best love you'll ever know

by lyric green

I remember the first time you saw me. Your sparkling brown eyes of desire targeted me with your mouth agape. It was love at first sight. It was then that I knew how special you were. I thought that this was it. This was the person with whom I would spend the rest of my life. We met at your favorite thrift store, Avalon Exchange, on Delmar Loop. All of the cool kids go there for the trendiest, indie-est clothes, but you stood out like a rose among thorns. You touched my sleeve and said, "you're mine forever.” That sounds crazy for a first-time encounter, but it made me feel special.

Of all the people that walked past me as if I didn't exist, denied me, and abandoned me, you chose me. Delicately, you wrapped your hands around my yoke and held me tight until we got home. We moved a little faster than I'm used to, but since then, you’ve ensured my maintenance. I was like your pet. I missed having a home.

Every day that I hear the squeaky hinges on the door accompanied by the ceiling light, I hope you choose me again and again. I want to hold you forever, and I am forever jealous of your romantic interests. I'm way more capable, committed, and compatible than those losers. I even wiped the snot off your nose when you cried over your ex. You were pacing back and forth in your bedroom. He was ignoring your texts and calls, and all you could think about was what went wrong between you too. I was there to comfort you while tears and snot stained me. I show up. But that doesn’t matter, and you don’t owe me anything. Although I’m jealous, I’m content with my role in your life as long as I’m here. I love you more than you’ll ever know. I just hope you don’t take me for granted, forget to wash me, or leave me stranded in some random building. Someone might steal me. Or worse: throw me away. You’ll never find me then. There were also silent nights interrupted by muffled screams into your pillow that I could only hear from the closet. Those were the nights I wanted to comfort you and be near you. Sometimes I was on your floor, but your life is a mess occasionally, so I understand your lack of care at times. I know you’ll pick me up eventually, possibly wear me when you want to feel good. That’s what makes me feel good.