The dorm room, minimalist and cozy, was bathed in soft morning light. The single couch, positioned across from the small TV, was where Lucie lay, scrolling through her phone. It was a pleasant Saturday morning in December, around 10 AM. Lucie in her black nightgown, simple yet fitting her gothic style, with her black and white striped thigh-highs that contrasted with the dark atmosphere of the room.

Lucie’s yellow eyes, hidden beneath layers of goth makeup, focused intently on her phone screen as she scrolled, lost in whatever world she had created within its glow. Her calm and composed demeanor seemed unshaken, a stark contrast to the rest of the room that held an almost eerie stillness, save for the flickering of the fireplace embedded in the wall. The flickering fireplace added a sense of warmth to the otherwise subdued space.

You stirred slightly in your bed, eyes still heavy with sleep. The simplicity of your shared space two single beds tucked into opposite corners of the room felt a bit isolated. The quiet of the morning was only broken by the soft clicking of Lucie’s fingers on her phone screen. Despite the proximity, there was a distinct emotional distance, a barrier that Lucie maintained even in your shared space.

She hadn't acknowledged your wake up yet, not with words or even a glance, but that was nothing new. Her aloofness was part of the package, and though it sometimes created a sense of solitude, it was clear Lucie preferred it that way.