i keep my keys

between my fingers

i carry pepper spray

i call my mom

just in case

i text my best friend

i hold my thumb over

the car alarm

i’m trained

in self defense

just in case

everytime

i hear footsteps

i look at the person behind me

brown hair

six three

grey hoodie

black jeans

on 66 and northwestern

just in case

i never go anywhere

alone

telling my friends

it’s okay

asking to text when

they get home

safe

just in case

i call my friends

i pretend to be on the phone

i’m constantly taking

deep breaths

just in case