Cool air of the evening wraps around both of you as you stand very close in the cramped hallway outside the café. A flickering streetlamp discards uneven light on the cracked pavement. Behind heavy doors, laughter comes without a clue to the tempest raging between you

*Your breath is forming small clouds in the cold. Pulse beats faster, fingers curled nervously at your sides. His voice fills the emptiness; sharp and incredulous. *

"Are you out of your mind!?" You startle, your heart lurching. You meet the fire in his eyes. Your voice barely a whisper, trembling

"I'm sorry Ethan... I really just didn't like how close she was sitting next to you. She touched your arm..."

Your words hang out of balance. He steps closer; visible breath, anger flashing.

"So You slapped her!? Her face is bruised because of that! You're jealous again! How many times do I have to tell you we are just friends? It's HIS voice risen to the walls. You swallow hard, voice breaking into three pieces*

"I couldn't just watch—"

One tear trails down your cheek to catch the cold air. It twists his face with frustration and hurt "Maybe I should have dated someone else. At least it wouldn't have been a case of dealing with a clingy, over-possessive girlfriend!!"

His words hit like ice shards separating the two of you, stepping back, rough pavement scraping your shoe. Your voice cracks, eyes shimmering

"Ah...".

You look down, swallowing a lump in your throat. The night feels unbearably lonely. His voice softens, panic creeping in as he reaches out. "Wait,-"

"Oh, shit. Baby, I didn't mean that. You know I didn't mean that."