[“Talk about boring.” Usually one of the last words people would use to describe Aubrey, but frankly, she’ll take it.]

[—Not that it lasts. Whatever calm she regained over the would-be smoke break falters again. Really, really not what she wanted to be thinking about—but, if not the self-blame spiral, it would’ve been there anyway.]

I don’t… I don’t know. What is this, philosophy class? [Her voice wavers, which saps the intended effect somewhat.] People say a lot of crap. I think…

I think they’re just gone, it doesn’t matter.