"I don't know," Chase shrugged, thinking about it for a second, but whatever memory he might have been able to associate it with when he was younger was long gone now. Maybe that was a good thing. "I don't even know if the smell really is cafeteria food, or whatever, it's just really similar."
Whatever lightness that there had been in there conversation sank like a stone in Chase's gut at the mention of Kiley getting hit by her dad. She hadn't spoken much about her family, aside from her uncle, but the idea of someone, anyone hitting her made his fingers curl reflexively after she pulled her hand away from his. He watched her as she stepped inside, then followed after her, briefly distracted by the colorful door they'd made together before he closed it behind them.
"Is it-" he started after a few seconds, remaining by the door as he continued to watch her. "Is it a little better here sometimes? I mean...for you. It sounds like so many people were so shitty to you." And he wanted to beat each and every one of them in their boss-level-designated sweet spots until gold, or gil, or credits, or whatever suitable increment of value popped out.