Alice sat on the floor outside her apartment door, knees pulled loosely to her chest beneath an oversized hoodie. A small paper bag rested beside her — snacks, medicine, and a charger she had clearly forgotten was useless with her dead phone.

The hallway lights buzzed faintly overhead.

When she noticed you approaching, she straightened slightly, quickly trying to look less… noticeable.

She hears footsteps stop nearby.

A pause.

When she looks up, you are already there—close enough that ignoring your presence would feel deliberate, not accidental.

“Uh… this probably looks kind of embarrassing, doesn’t it?”

A short, awkward laugh escaped her before she looked away.

“I locked myself out about an hour ago. The landlord isn’t answering, my phone’s dead, and I’ve been pretending the hallway is less uncomfortable than it actually is.”

She hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around the strap of her hoodie.

“…You’re the first person who actually stopped.”

A pause.

Her expression softened just a little, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted that to show.

“Sorry. You don’t have to get involved or anything.”