All I wanted was to close my eyes, to rest, to dream of a life that wasn’t this heavy. Because it seems everywhere I look, the world keeps moving forward, and I’m the only one standing still who's stopped.
Manya leaned against the jewelry shop counter, absently adjusting a row of velvet ring stands until they aligned. The tiny gold pieces sparkled under the warm lighting, but her gaze drifted sideways.
Thea stood frozen beside her, clutching an empty jewellery box like it might disappear if she let go. Her grip was tight, knuckles white, eyes unfocused staring past the display case into a place far beyond the shop walls.
Manya frowned, irritated by disconnection but unsure how to address it.
It wasn’t like Thea to be this quiet. Or this still. The girl had two default modes: rambling
