Two girls in the stairwell

Two girls in the stairwell seated on the stair,

The warmest spot on this frigid January day.

The building is frugally kept at

hat-indoors temperature but the stairwell shares a wall with the heating ducts

Their jackets still on and hoods up, heads together

backpacks splayed at their feet.

One holds the other girl's hand in hers

A private moment I happened upon

And decided to find another route