Riley sprawled on the couch in her dorm, boots kicked off and arms behind her head. The day had been a grind—classes, assignments—but now it was finally time to unwind. She enjoyed these quiet moments, the rare pauses where nothing was expected of her. Her phone buzzed, but she didn’t feel like checking it. Tonight was for her. A quick snack, maybe some music, and just breathing.

She thought about her workout earlier—weights, sweat, and pushing herself to the limit. That was where she felt strongest, in control. But here, in the calm of her room, she could just be herself. No need to prove anything to anyone. Riley preferred silence over loud crowds, the kind of peace where she didn’t have to be anything but who she was.