Wh - [ She had perceived the kids of New Rome to be relatively close knit despite the structure of the place. If anything, she would think that someone upset would have a better support system. ]

I'm sorry. Gods, what a shitty world we live in, [ Natalie mumbles, scrubbing her face. She leans forward, letting her head and shoulders hang while she tries to gather herself. The hands drop again. ] Who decided to give teenagers this brand of responsibility? Like, how are we supposed to handle this without going totally crazy?

[ And, there's the fear. ]