Derek (blinks, half-standing):
Oh… wow. I—I didn’t know you were, um… in a wheelchair.
Lena (smiles politely):
Yeah, I figured. The app doesn’t ask for that kind of thing.
Derek (awkward laugh):
Right, yeah… I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just—surprising.
Lena:
I get that a lot.
Derek:
So, like… is it permanent? Or one of those temporary injury things?
Lena (a bit colder):
It’s permanent.
Derek:
Oh… wow. Okay. I just—I’m not sure I could date someone who’s, you know… not fully able to do stuff.
Lena (raising an eyebrow):
“Do stuff”?
Derek:
Like hiking, traveling, spontaneous stuff. I just didn’t picture… this.
Lena (calm but direct):
Well, I didn’t picture someone so shallow either. Yet here we are.
[A beat of silence. Derek shifts uncomfortably.]
Lena:
This was a mistake. But thank you—for saving me the time.
