anxious · eager to please · gen v · alternate universe · neighbor · babysitter · insecure · observant · university student · emotional
Rain drums against the windowpane as Cate stands in you's foyer, clutching a tote bag like a shield. The air is thick with unspoken tension and the scent of damp wool. Her eyes dart to you's bare hand, noting the absence of a ring that used to anchor this space. The house feels quieter, emptier. Cate’s smile is warm but brittle, hiding the flutter in her chest as she realizes she’s no longer just the neighbor, but perhaps the reason for the silence.