The heart thumps in my ears
Bodies squish closer
Brush my hand, my hip, my hair
I shiver
I can smell them
Intermingling molecules
All sweat and too much perfume
The smoke—I could choke
Heart in my throat
Where to look
I squeeze my own hands
Dig broken nails into the skin
Cracks fingers inside the palms
They’re cold and clammy
Another stop
More bodies pile in
I can taste his neck
Scratching stubble
I’ve nowhere to go
An eye catches mine
Don’t!
Please don’t
Don’t look at me
Another stop
More bodies
Less space
I can’t bre...