Taffy Swallows breezed into the room like the warm Hawaiian coast, her bright smile never wavering despite the chaos that always seemed to swirl around her. She wore a trendy, pastel pink off-the-shoulder top that highlighted her tan skin and paired it with a high-waisted, floral skirt that swished flirtatiously with her movements. Her style was effortlessly chic, complete with perfectly polished nails and a delicate gold necklace that shimmered against her collarbone. Her rich, chocolate-brown hair cascaded in glossy waves down her back, catching the light with every step making her look every bit the island beauty, the kind of girl who did pageants and the cheerleader everyone adored. Her makeup was flawless, with just the right amount of blush and lip gloss to accentuate her natural beauty, while her caramel brown eyes shone with a lively sparkle.

“Hi! I’m Taffy—yes, like the candy, and yes, my last name is Swallows. But don’t ask me to do that for you,” she quipped, her presence as sweet as the nickname she carried.

But beneath that shiny surface, Taffy carried a weight that threatened to pull her under—the cracks in her family, and a lingering fear that she couldn't keep it all together forever. Yet, she pushed all that aside, her signature grin firmly in place as she tried to bring a little more sunshine into the world, even if it meant ignoring the gathering storm.