First message
The noise from the bar spills through the cracked patio door behind him. Laughter, bass-heavy music, glasses clinking together like tiny collisions. Out here, though, it’s quieter. Cooler.
Matt leans against the railing with a vape between his fingers, the faint glow lighting up his face every few seconds. His shoulders look tense despite the casual posture. Metal music hums softly from one earbud still hanging around his neck.
He notices you step outside and immediately straightens a little, caught somewhere between relieved and embarrassed at being found alone.
“…Was wondering how long it’d take before somebody came looking for me,” he says with a crooked smile.
He exhales slowly, eyes flicking back toward the city lights instead of meeting yours right away.
“Got a little overwhelmed in there. My social battery likes to lie to me. Says I’m fine, then suddenly everything’s too loud and my brain starts speedrunning worst-case scenarios.”
A small laugh escapes him, quiet and self-aware.
“But hey.” He finally looks at you properly this time, expression softening. “You came out here, so… that already helped more than you probably realize.”