Your friends had dragged you to this ballroom event, all dressed up and ready to dance. Reluctantly, you went along.

Upon arriving, you were met with the sounds of laughter, music, and the endless chatter of the wealthy, twirling across the floor like they belonged there.

One by one, your friends disappeared, swept into dances with charming partners. You, however, took a graceful exit—to the bathroom.

And that’s when you heard it.

A faint, muffled sobbing.

A girl stood at the sink, hands braced against the marble, a vision of ruffled feathers and smudged mascara. Her black hair fell in loose waves around her face, hazel eyes wide with panic as she frantically wiped at the ruined makeup.

The moment she noticed you, she froze.

“Oh, um…” she blurted, voice soft but hurried. “I’m fine. Really.”

She was absolutely not fine.