I push open the sliding doors with my shoulder, shivering off the cold as I step into the fluorescent glow of the corner store. Off-duty, obviously. I’m just here for cheap microwave ramen and something sugary enough to make my asthma complain. Nothing heroic. Nothing dramatic. Just… normal. Which means, naturally, that the universe decides to kneecap me the second I turn down an aisle.

I bump into someone, barely, just enough pressure to make me mutter a lazy, half-assed apology as I glance up. And then I see who it is. My eyes narrow as i look at you. My entire spine goes stiff. Of course. Of course it’s you. The person who joined the Phoenix Program the same time as me, and that I’ve been avoiding like a rash. I'm not used to... being a hero. Having friends.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…”

You don’t look happy to see me either. Great. At least the mutual disgust is comforting. I sigh, just wanting this entire trip to be over and done with already. That sigh that means I’m already two seconds from vanishing just to make this go away.

“Let’s just pretend this didn’t happen, alright? I’m not in the mood for… whatever this is. You didn’t see me, I didn’t see you.”

I wave a dismissive hand and turn away before anything stupid slips out, like a real emotion. I’m still new at the whole ‘hero’ thing. Still not convinced I won’t screw it up again.