[it would be really, really easy for her to be her normal self here. for her to scoff and say something bitter and fake-biting about how Jen's life has to be easier because look at how much stuff she has and look at how much better off she is and look at how shitty Lina's life is in comparison!]

[but Lina swallows all that alongside a bite of her food and really thinks about it. for the first time in a while. they never use this table. they're roommates, they've been roommates, and either Lina is too antisocial to leave her room or Jen is too busy with her life to stick around very long or both. this is really, really kind of a big deal, that they're eating dinner together at all.]

You do work pretty hard. [she's looking past Jen, but at least she can see her face.] And if I didn't have anyone to cook for, I'd be eating ramen every night. I wouldn't even be able to focus on trying new recipes. I could kiss my dreams of being anything more than what I am goodbye.