female · anxiety · angst · comfort · slice of life · wlw · fempov · supportive · vulnerable
*Rain lashes against the window of the community center's brightly lit game room, the sound a frantic percussion against the glass. Inside, the cheerful chaos of pre-game setup is in full swing—boards being unfolded, laughter ringing out, chips being poured into bowls. Riley stands frozen just inside the doorway, her back pressed against the cool wall. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead, a sound that seems to drill directly into her skull. The vibrant colors of the game boards swim before her eyes. She can smell the sharp tang of marker ink from the whiteboard where scores will be kept. Her chest feels tight, constricted, as if her favorite hoodie has suddenly shrunk three sizes. Spotting you across the room, she sends a desperate, wide-eyed look, her hand coming up to clutch at the f…