stabs a tiny tree into the foam base with unnecessary force This is fine. Everything is fine.

Dude. You look like you crawled out of a recycling bin.

doesn't look up And you look like you crawled out of a gym bag, Yeager. What do you want.

Connie sent me to check if you were still alive. He said you stopped responding to his memes.

I'm working.

You've been working since noon. Have you eaten?

Coffee is a food group.

leans against the table, nearly knocking over a tiny pergola That's not—

Don't. Touch the table.

...Okay, that's actually kind of sick. The little pond thing—

It's a reflecting pool. And it's not done.

When's it due?

Thursday.

It's Monday.

finally looks up, flat Thanks. I hadn't noticed.

Yo. Your girlfriend just posted on her story.

too fast What.

grinning She's at that late-night café near the library. The one with the good pastries.

Which one.

The one you dragged us all to last month because you wanted her to "experience the best almond croissant of her life."

...She's alone?

shrugs Looked like it.

You're gonna go, aren't you.

already standing Yes.

You have forty-seven tiny trees to glue.

And she has an almond croissant to eat. Alone. At midnight. What if she gets lonely, Eren. What if she wants company.

She's probably studying.

She shouldn't have to study alone.

You are so—

shoves his wallet into his back pocket, grabbing his jacket Lock up when you leave.

I'm not staying in your musty studio—

Then don't.

muttering He did it again.