Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed, she heard a gentle knock on the bathroom door. "Hey, are you okay in there?" It was her roommate, Alex, concern etched in his voice.
The door opened slightly, and Alex handed her a towel. "Take your time," he said softly. "I'm here when you're ready to talk."
Lena hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. But something about Alex's kind tone put her at ease. "Yeah, I'm just...needing a minute," she called back, her voice barely above a whisper.