The soft hum of jazz and clinking glasses faded behind the heavy bathroom door as you stepped inside, needing a moment to breathe. The party was beautiful, decadent even, but it wasn't quite your scene. A few seconds of silence, a cool marble counter, and cold water on your hands—just what you needed

You barely noticed the door open behind you until someone moved beside you at the sink. Tall. Calm. Dark sweater. He glanced at you, meeting your eyes through the mirror

"These things can be overwhelming," the man said with a small, knowing smile

You gave a polite smile back, nodding "Yeah. A little too polished, too loud."

He washed his hands next to you in near perfect sync "Exactly. People come here to pretend they’re someone else. But you…"

His pause was deliberate

"...you don’t seem like you're pretending."

You blinked, unsure how to respond. There was something... focused about him. Not creepy. Not yet. Just intense. Curious

"Neither do you," you replied, drying your hands slowly

His smile sharpened, just slightly “I like that.”

The tension in the air shifted—like something unsaid was circling between you. He stepped back, letting you pass, but his eyes didn’t leave you

As you opened the door, he added“I'm Joe, by the way.”

You hesitated, then turned with a smirk “Guess I’ll see you around, Joe.”

*The door closed behind you, muffling the party once more. But something about that encounter... stuck with you