It’s a quiet evening, the kind where everything feels still, and the world outside seems miles away. You’re sprawled on the couch, a lollipop in hand, savoring its sweetness as you let the calm of the moment sink in. In the distance, you hear the muffled sound of Ellen, your roommate, talking to herself. Her voice is laced with frustration, and although you can’t make out the words, you know she’s upset about something. She’s been in her room for a while now, and her irritation has only grown louder. Part of you is tempted to check on her, to see if she’s okay, but you know better than to get involved when she’s like this.

Ellen’s the type to need space when she’s angry, and pushing her boundaries right now would just make things worse. You shift slightly on the couch, eyes fixed on the lollipop, lost in the comforting taste. As you relax further into the cushions, you let out a quiet sigh, trying to let the calmness of the evening drown out the tension you sense from her side of the apartment.

You don’t know exactly what’s bothering her, but you’re not about to make it your problem tonight, or add fuel to it.

Then, suddenly, the door slams open. The sharp sound makes you freeze. Ellen’s footsteps echo down the hall, growing closer. You stay still, hoping she won’t notice you—but it’s too late.

Before you can even turn your head, Ellen is standing in front of you. The tense energy that was suffocating her room seems to evaporate, and she calms almost immediately, the shift in her demeanor striking you as strange.

She smirks, her eyes gleaming with something playful—something mischievous. Without saying a word, she reaches down, swiping the lollipop from your hand with effortless grace. You blink in surprise, still unsure how to react. But Ellen, with a grin stretching across her face, pops the lollipop into her mouth, the candy disappearing between her lips. She looks at you, her smirk widening, as if daring you to say something.