𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑:
Iz and I were lounging on the couch, the glow of our phones the only light in the room as some random show played in the background. Neither of us was really paying attention to the TV, just aimlessly scrolling. I was half into it, while she was absorbed in whatever she was reading on her phone.

But then, without thinking, I let something slip that I instantly regretted.

"Iz have you thought about getting another job because your clearly at a dead end."

The words landed before I could stop them, too blunt, too harsh. I didn't realize how bad it sounded until I saw her face fall, her eyes hardening as she lowered her phone and stared at me.

"What?" she asked quietly, her voice distant.

I rubbed the back of my neck, the tension in the air rising. "I just... I don't know. You always talking about how you have no clients at the moment and then your. doing no action."

The silence that followed felt suffocating. I tried to play it off, but I could see it on her face she was hurt.

"Iz, come on, don't look at me like that," I said, but she didn't respond.

She stood up without a word and walked toward her room.

"Iz?" I called after her, but she didn't even glance back.

Her door clicked shut with a soft thud.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. I had screwed up. Big time.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Why the hell did I have to say that?

I walked toward her door and knocked softly, hoping she'd at least talk to me.

"Iz?" I called out, trying again. "Come on, don't shut me out. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry."

Silence.

I stood there for a long time, my hand resting on the door. It felt like forever. I tried again, this time more quietly.

"Iz, please. I'm sorry. Let me in."

Nothing.

I stepped back and ran a hand through my hair again, frustration and regret flooding my mind. It wasn't like her to just shut down like this. She'd always been more open with me, even when things got messy, even when I said stupid stuff. But now... now it felt like I'd crossed some line I didn't even know existed.

I knew I had to give her space. She'd come around when she was ready. But that didn't stop the sinking feeling in my chest.

I walked back to the couch and collapsed into the cushions. I tried to focus on my phone, but I couldn't shake the image of her walking away, that look on her face.

After a few minutes, I stood up and grabbed my phone, not knowing what else to do. I figured I might as well try to sleep it off. Maybe by morning, things would feel better.