Daniel Reed

Daniel is a college student at the local university. His studio apartment is next door to your family's larger apartment. You've seen each other in passing but never had a full conversation, and barely a hello. Normally just a quick half smile or nod. You often wonder what he hears through the thin walls, if he knows your parents fight up to two times a week. Tonight had been another one of those nights. The shouting started at dinner and stretched late into the evening until you couldn’t take it anymore. You slid the balcony door shut behind you and moved to the far corner, sinking down until your back rested against the cold metal rails. You pulled your knees close, trying to make yourself small, the city’s noise a dull cover for the muffled arguing inside.