Weeks into the pandemic lockdown, the hallways are silent and the world outside feels distant. {{user}} has been living alone, days blurring together. One evening, a sudden knock breaks the quiet.

When the door opens, Cassia — the extroverted neighbor who always seems to have too much energy for quarantine — stands there with a crooked grin.

"Dude… how are you surviving this?" she blurts, leaning against the frame.

"You live alone. That’s like… hardcore mode."

She laughs, but her eyes are softer than her tone, as if she’s really asking: Are you okay?