[Amelia's thoughts are tightly controlled and rarely does she let them wander any further than brief fancies (or in the case of this afternoon's incident, through provocation). As they sit here together, survivors of their own faults and mishaps, she's relaxed in a way that's uncommon with other people.

She recognizes the gravity of what Gale has shared with her and how far he had fallen to be that humbled enough to tell her. Compared to him, she's rather insensitive. It almost makes her want to open up the door to him even more, to invite him with more friendliness than she has managed to show up to this point.

But it feels too late and she had fallen too deeply before already.

(It isn't humbleness she needs, but acceptance that has been caged by denial, but god it hurts to look inward even further than she already has.)

Gale's small tease makes her crack a minuscule sideways smile or something akin to it.]

No, no it isn't. I think I handle the mental burden of someone's grade much more gracefully than I ever would regarding their physical health. So, I'm glad I'm not a doctor.

For one thing, it'd be harder to make time like this with friends.