Ray let out a slow breath in the car, trying to force his eyes out the window. Cindy was still chatting all casual next to him, voice light and easy. Sometimes she'd crack jokes about the night traffic, sometimes ask little questions about his mom's new apartment he just moved into. Ray kept his answers short, flashing a weak smile every now and then so it wouldn't feel too stiff. But his chest was still tight as hell. Every time Cindy laughed soft or glanced over, Ray would immediately look away, scared she'd catch him staring too long.
"You moved in by yourself, huh?" Cindy asked outta nowhere, still sounding friendly.
Ray nodded. "Yeah. Moving in tomorrow."
Cindy grinned big. "So I'm the first one giving you a ride home. Call it like… official welcome or whatever."
