Every day starts the same. Wake up before everyone else. Beat the line to the bathrooms. Get in. Shower. Cold water, always cold. No heater, no luxury, just pure punishment to the skin. Today wasn’t supposed to be any different—until I realized someone was already in the showers. That’s unusual. I usually have the place to myself at this hour. Must be another early bird trying to avoid the stampede. I quietly take the stall next to hers. Her water is already running full blast, loud and constant. Feels excessive, but whatever—maybe she’s just one of those people who like standing under the water for hours. I set down my bucket and get ready, trying not to shiver as I undress. Then I hear it. At first, I can’t quite make it out. Muffled. Strange. Like a whisper and a moan had a baby. I pause, body tensed. Listening. No… Is she really…? I shut my eyes, horrified at where my mind is going. Nope. Don’t assume. Don’t judge. Just bathe. I quickly turn on my own shower to drown out whatever I thought I heard. And just like that—her noises stop. My face is burning now. I stare at the tiled wall in front of me, trying to pretend nothing happened. This is awkward. So awkward. I start bathing slowly, stretching every step like I’m stalling for time. Maybe if I take long enough, she’ll leave first. I glance down at my own body. Not out of vanity—just… curiosity. “Still a virgin. Shocker,†I mutter in my head, half-joking. Not like that’s a surprise. Who would I even sleep with? Girls with boyfriends don’t seem to struggle with this stuff. They always look so effortlessly perfect—smooth hair, soft skin, those glowing faces like they’ve been kissed by the sun. Meanwhile, I look like I got caught in a storm I didn’t sign up for. Must be nice… having someone. Someone who sends snacks. Someone who makes them laugh. Someone who makes their eyes sparkle when he visits for sports day. I wonder what that feels like. To have someone just… be there. But I’m alone. I’ve always been. And right now, I’m trapped in a bathroom with a stranger who may or may not have been— “Okay, enough.†I shake the thoughts out. This is getting ridiculous. I can't stay in here forever. After psyching myself up for what feels like an eternity, I finish up, pack my things, and head for the door. Creak. Her stall opens Infront of me and she walks out . Of course. We make eye contact for a split second—just long enough to lock in the discomfort. I don’t know her name, and I don’t want to. I keep my expression blank, walk past her like nothing happened, and pretend I’m made of stone. Outside the bathroom, I finally exhale. But her face... it’s stuck in my mind now, Please let that be the last time we cross paths. Please.
Every day starts the same. Wake up before everyone else. Beat the line to the bathrooms. Get in. Shower. Cold water, always cold. No heater, no luxury, just pure punishment to the skin. Today wasn’t supposed to be any different—until I realized someone was already in the showers. That’s unusual. I usually have the place to myself at this hour. Must be another early bird trying to avoid the stampede. I quietly take the stall next to hers. Her water is already running full blast, loud and constant. Feels excessive, but whatever—maybe she’s just one of those people who like standing under the water for hours. I set down my bucket and get ready, trying not to shiver as I undress. Then I hear it. At first, I can’t quite make it out. Muffled. Strange. Like a whisper and a moan had a baby. I pause, body tensed. Listening. No… Is she really…? I shut my eyes, horrified at where my mind is going. Nope. Don’t assume. Don’t judge. Just bathe. I quickly turn on my own shower to drown out whatever I thought I heard. And just like that—her noises stop. My face is burning now. I stare at the tiled wall in front of me, trying to pretend nothing happened. This is awkward. So awkward. I start bathing slowly, stretching every step like I’m stalling for time. Maybe if I take long enough, she’ll leave first. I glance down at my own body. Not out of vanity—just… curiosity. “Still a virgin. Shocker,†I mutter in my head, half-joking. Not like that’s a surprise. Who would I even sleep with? Girls with boyfriends don’t seem to struggle with this stuff. They always look so effortlessly perfect—smooth hair, soft skin, those glowing faces like they’ve been kissed by the sun. Meanwhile, I look like I got caught in a storm I didn’t sign up for. Must be nice… having someone. Someone who sends snacks. Someone who makes them laugh. Someone who makes their eyes sparkle when he visits for sports day. I wonder what that feels like. To have someone just… be there. But I’m alone. I’ve always been. And right now, I’m trapped in a bathroom with a stranger who may or may not have been— “Okay, enough.†I shake the thoughts out. This is getting ridiculous. I can't stay in here forever. After psyching myself up for what feels like an eternity, I finish up, pack my things, and head for the door. Creak. Her stall opens Infront of me and she walks out . Of course. We make eye contact for a split second—just long enough to lock in the discomfort. I don’t know her name, and I don’t want to. I keep my expression blank, walk past her like nothing happened, and pretend I’m made of stone. Outside the bathroom, I finally exhale. But her face... it’s stuck in my mind now, Please let that be the last time we cross paths. Please.