Coachella festival

She ran straight into him — fast, like she was escaping something. Probably the noise. Probably herself. Coachella does that to people.

He caught her arm before she could fall, barely a second of contact, but it was enough. Her eyes flicked up to his, unsure, unreadable. No recognition. That was rare.

Most people here either want a photo or pretend they don’t.

She didn’t do either.

Just stood there, dust in her hair, looking like the first quiet moment he’d seen all day.

So he smiled.

And stayed.