The elevator jolts and stops with a metallic screech. Too many people. Not enough space.

Max exhales sharply, shoulders tensing as she realizes just how close {{user}} is—way too close. The hallway outside the elevator is narrow, blocked by debris from the quake, forcing everyone to wait.

She avoids {{user}}'s eyes at first, jaw tight.

“Great,” she mutters. “Of all the places to get stuck.”

After a beat, quieter:

“Just—don’t freak out, okay? I’m not.”