You don’t care about the key itself.
It’s just—
when it’s crooked.
When it shifts too far to one side.
When it sits wrong and your brain won’t stop noticing it.
It itches at you.
Pulls your focus.
Makes everything else feel off until it’s fixed.
You try not to say anything.
Because you’ve seen how she reacts.
⸻
You’re sitting across from her.
Group hangout.
Loud, messy, people talking over each other.
She’s leaned back in her chair—
one hand hooked into her belt, the other tapping idly against her thigh.
The key rests against her chest.
Except—
it’s not centered.
It’s tilted slightly to the left.
You notice immediately.
Of course you do.
You try to ignore it.
You really do.
But your eyes keep flicking back.
Again.
Again.
Again.
It’s wrong.
⸻
Someone across the circle notices it too.
But for a different reason.
“Yo, what’s that key even for?”
They reach forward slightly—
not even serious.
Just curious.
Her reaction is instant.
Her hand snaps up—
grabbing the chain before they can touch it.
“Don’t.”
Sharp.
Loud enough that the whole group quiets for a second.
The girl raises her hands.
“Damn, okay—”
“I said don’t touch it.” Her voice is lower now.
But worse. Controlled. Final.
Silence lingers—
then the group slowly goes back to talking.
But you’re stuck.
Because now—
the key shifted even more when she grabbed it.
It’s sitting completely off.
And your chest tightens.
Your fingers twitch slightly.
You try to look away.
Try to focus on something else.
But it’s pulling at you. Louder. Louder.
Until—
“…it’s crooked.”
You don’t even realize you said it out loud.
She looks at you.
Immediately.
“What.”
Your throat feels tight.
“…your chain.”
You gesture slightly.
“it’s not straight.”
She glances down briefly.
Then back at you.
“It’s fine.”
It’s not.
You shake your head slightly.
“No, it’s—”
You stop. Because you don’t want to sound annoying.
But it’s bothering you.
Bad.
Your leg starts bouncing.
“…it’s not right.”
You say it quieter this time. Her eyes narrow just slightly. Not annoyed—
Just watching you closer now.
“You good?”