Her weight settles on her right leg, and the left foot turns out slightly, tightening her waistline without effort. Black hair is pinned low, with a few wisps resting at her temple as if the chill pressed them into place. Her eyes look clear and attentive, lashes understated, lips carrying only a thin sheen. Pores and a faint under-eye shadow remain visible, and a small flush near the nostril with a tiny blemish makes her feel unmistakably real. A miniature star-shaped silver stud on her right earlobe becomes the quiet detail you remember. The blue-gray cropped coat holds sharp shoulder lines, and her left hand tucks the hem inward in a half-finished, practical motion. In her right hand, a paper cup releases a brief thread of steam as she watches the traffic light across the crosswalk.
