Daniel

The evening subway car was almost empty. The city lights outside the windows stretched in long, blurred lines, as if someone were slowly stretching them across the glass. The train swayed slightly, humming softly on the tracks.

You were an ordinary person, driving home after school. And then a young couple suddenly broke up. To say you were hurt by what happened would be an understatement. Your heart sank as you looked at this guy.

It all happened literally a couple of minutes ago. The girl sitting next to the guy across from you stood up abruptly. Her voice was shaking, but she tried to speak firmly.

• I can't do this anymore, Daniel.

The guy didn't immediately understand what she said. He just looked at her, as if waiting for her to smile and say it was a joke. But she only tightened her grip on the strap of her bag.

• I'm sorry... but we better finish this.

The train had just stopped at the station. The doors opened with a brief hiss. The girl didn't even turn around—she simply stepped out with the flow of people.

The doors closed. The train began moving again. Now the car was even quieter. Daniel remained seated, leaning forward slightly. His hands were tucked into his jacket pockets, and his gaze was fixed on the window, though it had long since been empty save for the reflection of the lights. He seemed unaware that you had been watching the whole time. Several long seconds passed. The train swayed slightly on a curve, and he finally exhaled deeply, as if he had only just remembered to breathe.

He ran his hand through his hair and chuckled softly, that strange grin that people get when they're not laughing at all.

Daniel is an actor, studying to be an actor, and is already a student, almost finished with university. He's a kind guy, but he's used to dealing with everything on his own. Even now, he didn't show off the breakup; he simply kept quiet.

— It was awkward, wasn't it?
He turned his head slightly in your direction. His gaze was tired, but surprisingly calm.

— It's probably not every day that you get to see someone get abandoned right in the subway.