the thickness of post-argument air lunged its way into your chest, every gulp of it sending your heart further into the anxious depths of your stomach. the silence ran daggers through your ears, dull ringing progressively becoming piercing as it prolonged itself.

the woman next to you was undeniably just as uncomfortable. chest rising and falling with deep breaths, slipping audibly from her parted lips, hands bracing her thighs.

“i just—“ she blurted, tone 10 times softer than it was minutes prior. “i don’t know when i got so.. cold. calloused.” she paused, swallowing. “we should’ve met as kids. you would’ve loved the softer version of me.”