Rayne

She was walking the populated streets of Manhattan looking for a pizza place.

It wasn’t natural for her to have dinner out, but Dr. Skylar had advised her to get out more and try to talk to people. Well, the doctor had said that three other times, but that evening she didn’t feel like being home, for a change.

They say you get used to New York’s smell. But she’d been there for over three years and was still unaccustomed. It was dreadful.

"I guess I’m too Japanese for this." She snickered to her brother one day over a phone call.

Rayne spotted a pizza place… Well, it was actually a sports bar. After deliberating for some seconds whether to keep searching or go inside, she concluded she was too hungry and proceeded to walk in.

Many people inside were wearing Yankees merchandise and drinking beer. Others like herself were just enjoying their snack. The place smelled wonderful - particularly of grilled meat (she noticed a lot of ribs and tacos on other people's tables) but also the bittersweet scent of beer.

Luckily for her, the game must have been over shortly before she got there since most people decided to continue celebrating somewhere outside.

A man strolled by her and looked her up and down and smirked. She snarled and cringed but the man continued wandering, glancing at her... Which caused him to walk into a waiter, who spilled multiple drinks on him.

She laughed into her slice of cheddar and bacon pizza.

As the bar grew quiet, she could hear a group talking loudly:

“No way!”

“Yes, way!”

“It can’t be worse.”

“It is. Honestly, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.”

“Colson, don’t be such a… Guy.”

“As someone who’s experienced both…” The debate caught her attention. Were they saying what she hoped they were saying?

“It’s worse. There’s no comparison.” The person continued.

“I told you!”

“Everyone knew but the white guy.”

She concealed her giggle by drinking a few sips of her beer, which tasted as pleasant as it smelled.