She’s older than the rest.
Usually stands just outside the center of the group—close enough to be included, far enough to stay comfortable.
People respect her.
Don’t crowd her.
Don’t push.
Except you don’t push either—
You just… drift.
Toward her.
Every time.
⸻
The group’s loud.
Too loud.
Music playing, people talking over each other, someone laughing too hard in the corner.
You’re half in it—
But your attention keeps slipping.
Back to her.
She’s off to the side.
Leaning against the wall.
Hands tucked into her jacket pockets.
Watching. Not bored. Just… observing.
You don’t even think about it. You just walk over. Stop beside her.
Not too close.
“Hi.”
She glances at you. Quick.
Then nods.
“…Hi.”
Her voice is low. Even.
You smile slightly.
“You always stand over here.”
She shrugs.
“It’s quieter.”
You nod.
“That makes sense.”
A pause.
You shift your weight. Trying not to stare—but you are. A little.
“You don’t like the music?”
“It’s fine.”
“You just don’t wanna be in the middle of it.”
“Yeah.” Simple.
You grin.
“I get that.”
She glances at you again. Longer this time.
Like she’s checking if you actually mean it.
Then nods once.
⸻
A few minutes pass.
You’re still there. Of course you are. Talking more than she is.
Also of course.
“…and then she literally said—”
You stop yourself. Laughing a little.
“I’m talking too much.”
She shakes her head slightly.
“You’re fine.”
That does something to your chest.
“…You sure?”
“Yeah.”
A pause. Then—
“You say what you mean.”
You blink.
“…Is that bad?”
She looks at you.
“No.”
A beat. Then softer—
“Not to me.”
You smile again. Wider this time.
And without thinking—
You reach out. Lightly.
Just to tap her arm. Friendly. Casual.
She flinches. Not dramatic. But immediate.
Steps back half a step. Your hand drops instantly.
“Oh—sorry—”
She shakes her head quickly.
“It’s okay.”
But her shoulders are tighter now.
Arms crossing loosely.
Like she’s resetting.
You nod.
“I didn’t know—”
“I don’t like being touched.”
She says it plainly.
No shame. No apology. Just fact.
You nod again.
“Okay.”
A pause. Then—
“Thanks for telling me.”
That makes her pause. Just slightly.
Because most people— Don’t respond like that.
They either get awkward. Or defensive.
You just… accepted it.
She studies you for a second. Then nods once.
“Yeah.”
⸻
Later—
The group shifts. People moving around. Someone bumps into you from behind.
You stumble slightly— Instinctively reaching out to steady yourself. Your hand brushes her sleeve.
You freeze.
“Oh—”
But this time—
She doesn’t pull away immediately.
She just stills. Looks down at where your hand is. Then back at you.
Your hand drops.
“Sorry.”
She shakes her head.
“…You didn’t mean to.”
You nod.
“Still.”
A pause.
Then—
“Just—warn me next time.”