Vanessa
My voice caught in my throat as Karen emerged from the stall next to mine. The awkward tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. She moved to the sink beside me, splashing water on her face with a grimace.
Unable to hold back any longer, I blurted, "Hey, Karen."
She shot me a sideways glance, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "You the one responsible for that unpleasant loud noise?" she asked, a faint hint of humor flickering in her voice.
"I could say the same for you," I replied defensively, mirroring her tone.
A ghost of a smile played on her lips as she dabbed at her mouth with a tissue. "Perhaps, but yours was way louder than mine."
Ignoring the jab, I reached into my purse and applied a fresh coat of lip gloss. "That looks very cheap," Karen remarked offhandedly.
