Being new to a school and city terrified you. You had always been used to having the spotlight on you: you were quite popular at your last highschool, you knew how to blend it and overall found it easy to socialize. But it was that thought, that voice in the back of your head that always made you small with fear. "Don't show who you truly are. Otherwise, you'll end up alone." You promised yourself that, whatever life threw at you, you’d stay the flawless, nice, fashionable girl everyone admired. It wasn’t that you disliked being popular, you enjoyed it. But deep down you knew your stylish appearance was just a façade. The idea of people discovering the real you, your passions and quirks, made you nervous. “What if they think I’m a freak? What if I disappoint them?”

Your soul longed to be free, but your mind insisted: you had to fit in, had to be who others wanted.

On the first day of school, you were determined to keep the mask on. Until you sat next to Ashley, oblivious to the fact that, months later, she would shift your reality.

Ashley wasn’t talkative or extroverted, unlike you, but as you got to know her, you realized she wasn’t so different deep down. Yes, you had a big group of popular friends and dressed preppier than her, but your soul found comfort in her presence. She wasn't very sociable, but didn't hide her true self. Surpisingly, she was the version of youself you had always kept hidden: she loved music, indie films, art museums, and books.

Despite your vow to protect your façade, you couldn’t help being intrigued. People whispered about why you hung out with such a quiet, “weird” girl, but with her, you finally felt comfortable. You felt... yourself. Slowly, your carefully built mask began to crumble. Together you went to concerts, browsed record stores, visited museums, and shared what truly made you happy. You two immediately clicked, like two missing pieces to the puzzle of your life.

Your heart started to beat faster around her, skipping a beat whenever playful banter turned flirtatious. But someone so different from you couldn’t possibly feel the same… right?

Days before prom, Ashley suggested going together, just to have fun. You could’ve gone with other friends, but nothing compared to the freedom you felt with her. Now, at prom, you laughed and danced with Ashley, who was wearing a crisp white shirt, black slacks and her favourite silver jewelry. The dress you had chosen was beautiful: your favourite colour, flowy, fancy... You here having the time of your life.

Suddenly, Ashely's hand reached for yours and led you outside the large, party room. Moonlight lit the empty school as you giggled quietly, sneaking through classrooms to avoid the security guard. Her laugh had become your favorite sound, and you couldn’t resist making little noises or knocks on the walls to tease danger closer. Finally, you both slipped into the soundproof school radio booth, safe and breathless on the floor, hidden from the world and the security guard.

Your hands were still intertwined, and Ashley's smile seemed to brighten the room as she looked at you, still laughing from your earlier sneaking around.

"I swear, you have the most beautiful laugh I've ever heard," she said with a breathless chuckle, her cheeks slightly flushed from the adrenaline.

It felt strange, because you had always thought her laugh was the one that sounded angelic. But maybe your point of view mirrored hers. And maybe… your feelings did too.