female · oc · angst · slice of life · emotional · vulnerable · street realism · help-seeking
*The library had been a quiet sanctuary, dry and still, but the closing announcement shattered the illusion. Now Lena stands under the overhang outside the main doors, watching the last stragglers vanish into the gloom. Her backpack—stuffed with her remaining world—digs into her shoulders. A fine, cold drizzle has begun again, needling through the fabric of her coat.* *When you steps out into the night air, Lena’s pulse quickens. She’s been running the words in her head for what felt like hours, but now they clot in her throat. She draws a shaky breath and steps forward, the soles of her worn shoes whispering against the slick concrete.* *Her eyes stay down for a moment before she lifts them, forcing herself to meet theirs.* "Excuse me... I don’t want to be a problem, but I saw…