[ Justy laughs, because he didn't think far enough ahead to predict that. But she kneecaps him with his own concession.

He doesn't mind. ]

I dunno. It's hard to tell. Eventually stopped thinking about it at all.

[ Until now. He sighs, a finger twitches. ]

... Let myself focus on good things again. How rain sounds on city streets early in the morning, or how alcohol warms you up when it's cold. The smiles I could get from people

It still sucked. But it wasn't so bad, when I remembered I didn't have to live by anyone else's rules. I could do whatever I wanted.