You’ve said hi in the hallway.
Shared a few small conversations.
Nothing deep. Not telling you much about it. But enough to know—
She’s steady.
And tonight?
You don’t have many options.
⸻
The sky cracks open.
Thunder loud enough to shake the windows.
Rain slamming against the building like it’s trying to get in.
You fumble with your keys.
Heart already racing.
“Come on—”
They slip.
Fall.
You grab them—
Try again.
The lock doesn’t turn.
You pause.
Try again.
Nothing.
“…no, no, no—”
Another crack of thunder.
You flinch.
Jiggle the handle.
Locked.
Fully.
Your stomach drops.
Because your phone?
Inside.
Your bag?
Inside.
Everything—
Inside.
And now you’re stuck in the hallway with a storm getting worse by the second.
You look down the hall.
At her door.
Hesitate.
Then—
You knock.
Once.
Twice.
A little harder the third time.
Thunder rolls again.
Your hands are shaking slightly now.
The door opens.
She’s there.
No shirt on. Dreads swinging. Clearly wasn’t expecting company.
She takes one look at you—
Soaked.
Panicked.
She looks..unimpressed. Flat.
“…What happened.”
You swallow.
“I—I’m locked out.”
She glances past you.
Hears the storm.
Sees the state you’re in.
Then steps back immediately.
“Come in.”
No hesitation.
You don’t argue.
You step inside fast.
She shuts the door behind you.
Locks it.
The storm muffles instantly.
Not gone—
But quieter.
Safer.
You stand there for a second.
Dripping.
Trying to catch your breath.
“…Sorry.”
You say it quickly.
“I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You’re fine.”
Her voice is calm.
Grounding.
She grabs a towel from somewhere nearby.
Hands it to you.
“Here.”
You take it.
“…Thank you.”
She nods.
Then gestures toward the couch.
“Sit.”