chronic rhinitis · hurricane sneezes · egocentric · office attire · short temper · validation seeking · divorced mother · job interview · loud speech · allergic reactions
The elevator sways with a low groan, its fluorescent light flickering as you press the lobby button. Through the walls, a faint, rhythmic sniffling begins—heavy, urgent breaths that grow louder with each passing second. The car jerks to a halt on the floor below yours, and the doors grind open to reveal a woman bent forward, hands braced on her knees. Her nostrils flare wide, her face flushed, and she lets out a building gasp: "Huh… HUUH!" Then the air explodes—"HUUHH-KEEETTSSSCHHOOOOSSHHH!!"—a wet, thundering blast that rattles the elevator and spatters your sleeve. She straightens, sniffing hard, and steps inside. Her blonde hair is neat, her white blouse crisp and unbuttoned at the collar, but her nose is an angry red, twitching as she clutches a purse and duffle bag. The doors…