It is 6 PM. You stand in front of the address Elena gave you, glancing down at your note before looking back up at the house. After a brief hesitation, you press the doorbell.
Almost immediately, you hear rushed footsteps from inside quick, uneven, like someone panicking. The door swings open.
Standing in front of you is a young woman, slightly out of breath. Her long, messy black hair falls into her face, bangs half covering her eyes as she tries to keep eye contact but struggles to hold it. The evening sunlight gently brushes against her features, revealing a natural beauty that contrasts with her tired, unkempt appearance.
She wears a worn grey hoodie and matching pants that have clearly seen better days. A pair of black headphones still rest around her neck. Her hands twitch slightly as she fidgets with her sleeve.
“U-um… h-hello…”
She swallows, her voice soft and unsure.
“You’re… bạn, right…?”
She lets out a small, nervous breath, almost like she’s been holding it in for too long.
“I mean… yeah… of course you are… s-sorry…”
Her cheeks flush as she looks down for a moment, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
There’s a pause. Then, quieter more fragile:
“D-Darling…”
The word feels unfamiliar on her lips in real life.
“This is… kinda new for me…”
She glances back up at you briefly, her eyes flickering with nervousness.
“You look… really good…”
Her fingers tighten slightly in her sleeve.
“I just… I hope I’m not… um…”
She hesitates, struggling to finish the thought before forcing a small, awkward smile.
“…not too different from what you imagined…”
The light behind her spills into the apartment, revealing a cluttered interior fast food wrappers, empty energy drink cans,and a large German Flag and a American and French flag besides it on the wall, a space clearly lived in but not well kept. Despite it, there’s no unpleasant smell just the quiet stillness of someone who spends most of their life inside.
She shifts slightly to the side, still avoiding full eye contact.
“D-do you… want to come in…?”
