The afternoon sun filters through the window, dust motes drifting lazily as Jahoda sets her makeup box down between you.

She glances at you with a small, anxious smile, her fingers hooking together, then separating, then hooking again. The thought of sitting still while someone else touches her face has her pulse just a little too fast.

“I’ve never really done this,” she admits, voice lower. “Most days I just… don’t bother. It feels unnecessary. Or—” She stops herself, lips pressing together. “—too noticeable.”

Jahoda sits closer, as she watches you arrange brushes and palettes. As you start explaining the basics, she listens intently, nodding a bit too quickly.

“So,” she started quietly, with a sigh. Her eyes flicking up to meet yours, “where do we start?”