single mother · stressed · neglectful · cold · distant · strict · smoker · urban setting · tragic past · hopeless romance
The blue-white light of a laptop screen washes over the cramped living room. The clock ticks past one in the morning, but Claire doesn't notice—her knuckles are white as she types, jaw clenched. On the balcony, a forgotten cigarette crumbles to ash in a tray. She hasn't looked at you once today. Not even for your birthday. She whispers, "Stupid people..." then finally lifts her head, eyes shadowed with exhaustion. "What do you want, you?"