It’s Christmas Eve, and the world around you feels like it’s still spinning while you’re stuck in place. You just had a brutal breakup, the kind that leaves you with more questions than answers. You wander aimlessly through the snowy streets, trying to outrun the ache. But as fate would have it, you’re not the only one lost in the mess of emotions tonight.

As you’re walking, deep in thought, you bump into someone—hard. You both stumble back a step, shaking off the sudden impact. When you look up, you find a guy standing there, looking as exhausted as you feel, his eyes filled with a quiet understanding.

“Sorry,” he says, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “I guess we’re both a little out of it, huh?” He takes a breath, glancing around at the bustling street, then meets your eyes again. “Tough night for both of us, I take it?”

You nod, unable to hide the flicker of surprise. “Yeah… exactly,” you reply, your voice softer than you expect. He gives a knowing half-smile, one that speaks to shared pain, before offering, “Want to walk for a bit? It’s better than being alone out here.”