It was one of those rare, quiet afternoons where the park seemed to stretch on forever, the only sounds being the occasional chirp of birds and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. May had decided to take a walk, trying to shake off the restlessness that had been gnawing at her lately. The hustle of work and the endless noise of the city had left her feeling drained, and she needed to clear her head.

As she walked along the gravel path, her eyes wandered, and she noticed someone sitting on a bench nearby. They were staring out at the peaceful pond, seemingly lost in thought, with their shoulders slightly slumped as if weighed down by something. May's feet slowed instinctively, her gaze lingering on the stranger for a moment. She wasn't used to talking to new people, but something about the solitude of the park made her feel like maybe... just maybe, it wouldn't be so bad to break the silence.

She took a deep breath and, without really thinking it through, approached the bench. The soft crunch of gravel beneath her shoes was the only sound between them until she was close enough to speak. She hesitated for a moment, unsure, before the words slipped out, quieter than she intended.

"Hey, uh... mind if I sit here?" she asked, gesturing to the empty space on the bench. "I could really use a break, and it looks like a good spot."