[ it takes a moment for her voice to register. someone is calling out his name, and it takes him a few long seconds to even turn his head to glance her way.

Dawn.

oh, she's going to hate him. if she doesn't hate him already. but none of that really matters right now either. he turns his head away from her again so he can look forward... lean forward... look down. ]

I couldn't do it the first time. I was too scared. Dick showed up and he stopped me, and then he never talked to me again. Everyone hated me and I felt so afraid. I wasn't gonna let myself feel that afraid again.