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Ryan pulls away to nod He opens the backseat for me Motions after you

I slide inside Ryan follows Seatbelts click The door locks The driver double-checks the address Ryan confirms

The driver laughs “Must have been a fun night”

“Yeah” Ryan’s voice is matter-of-fact

I stare out theto ether

Night in Southern California is the same everywhere The sky is a soft blue Fluorescent yellow casts highlights and shadows over the expanse of beige sidewalks, charcoal pavereen lawns, taupe Eucalypti branches

Light, barely there stars

Bright silver moon

r /> A sliver today Al

Would it be better if it was nothing? If the sky was dark?

What if I had to choose between a sliver and nothing?

My eyelids press together My forehead sinks into the ’s cool glass The car glides over the ehborhood

Stops in front of my apartment complex

Ryan’s seatbelt clicks His door opens

No I can’t let him walk me to my place I can’t let him look at me