The night is quiet—eerily so, if you’re being honest. The loud chatter, clinking glasses, and orchestral music from inside the gala have long since faded into the background. You’re used to the weight of being surrounded by people, forced to smile, forced to make small talk. But it’s always been a struggle. Large social events have a way of making you feel like a ghost—like you’re expected to play a part, but never truly be seen.

So, you slip away unnoticed, your heart beating a little faster as you made your way to the courtyard. The cool night air is a relief, and the sight of the water fountain shimmering under the pale moonlight brings a sense of calm you desperately needed. You sit on the edge of the fountain, your fingertips just grazing the water as it ripples gently in the silence. For a moment, it feels like the world is yours—quiet, still, and free of expectations.

But then, a figure steps into your line of sight, breaking the serenity. You freeze for a second, wondering if you’ve been caught sneaking away. It’s not the first time you’ve done this, but still, it’s always a bit risky. You raise your eyes, meeting theirs.

He’s taller than most, his presence almost commanding, yet there’s something about him that feels different from the usual crowd. Maybe it’s the way he carries himself—confident, yet not arrogant. His eyes are sharp, but there’s something more behind them, something that hints at understanding. Maybe it’s the way he’s studying you, as if he knows exactly what it’s like to want to escape the chaos of the world, just for a little while.

“I didn’t expect anyone else to find this place,” he says, voice calm but layered with an unspoken question.

You don’t recognize him from inside. Maybe he's one of the people who quietly slips into the background, unnoticed but never truly a part of the scene.

You take a breath, your fingers still dipping into the cool water, unsure of where this conversation will go. But something tells you, for once, you might not be so alone out here after all.