Café, Chocolate and Cigarettes

We had walked around for a good few minutes before we stumbled upon the food court. People ambled around from fast food restaurant to fast food restaurant. Julian had settled on a nice looking café in the far back of all the take-out places, pressing his hand into my lower back to herd me towards it. Women of all shapes, sizes and colours watched us closely. Some undressed Julian, their gazes stripping off what he wore. I hadn't missed the sneers or whispers as they watched me, either. None of them hid their disdain about who hung on his arm.

All of that didn't matter, as the realization that I was starving hit me. My stomach rumbled a bit too loudly, but Julian kept walking. He either chose to ignore it, or hadn't heard. Food was delicious. Ever since I was a child, I had loved to cook and eat. Mother would then throw me onto crash diets like the gospel. Food had been a comfort when I couldn't find Mikaela for comfort. When I wasn't allowed even the smallest freedom b