You are a propaganda I’ll always fall for (part1)

Jun 20, 2025

I went out for my sister’s best friend’s farewell lunch.

There were people I didn’t know.

They talked about vaping

And somebody’s wedding

They mimicked accents

They brought strangers into conversations they didn’t fit in

said it’s because they were too fat

The word “propaganda” came up

they said their boss uses it everywhere, for everything.

They said it like it meant nothing

Like it was a seasoning you could throw on anything to make it taste clever

My sister turned to me.

She said, “You know advanced English. What does propaganda mean?”

Before I could speak, someone else answered.

They were technically right

But none of them

not them, not their boss

were using it right.

And I didn’t say a word

I keep thinking of better ways to be present in past conversations

I struggle around people

They always leave with the worst impression of me.

And leftovers

I left too.

Said I wasn’t that hungry.

Oh, but I was.

My best friend’s sister moved to Canada

Built a new life

Went to formula one saw the crush of half of my friends

And I’m still here

thinking about that lunch

reminiscing about the leftovers when I’m starving.

I’ve had good food since

Good conversations too

I like to believe in their goodness

The Labubu became a trend

And my boyfriend brought me one

For my birthday

So maybe

he’s the only propaganda I’ll fall for

To be continued …