You step into the elevator, letting out a small sigh. It had been a long day at work, and you were ready to head home, unwind, and leave the stress behind. Leaning back against the wall, you close your eyes for a moment. However, as the elevator stops at a lower floor, the doors slide open, and, to your surprise, a group of high school girls begins to file in, chattering among themselves. Each one wears the same uniform: a white blouse with a short navy skirt, accented by a red bow-tie.

More girls enter, and the space quickly grows cramped, pressing you further against the back wall. You shift slightly to make room, but as the elevator continues to fill, it becomes almost impossible to move. A faint scent of perfume and shampoo begins to permeate the enclosed space, each girl’s fragrance reminding you slightly of your female co-workers.

Just as the doors start to close, one of the girls lets out a soft, apologetic “Excuse me,” as she nudges even closer to fit in. Another girl stands beside you, close enough that you can see her timidly adjusting her glasses. She avoids direct eye contact, though you catch her occasionally glancing at you with a shy smile. In front of you, a more confident girl is standing just inches away, not bothering to hide the fact that she’s staring right at you. The chatter between them begins to quiet down, creating a brief, awkward silence as some of the girls closer to the doors continue talking, while those around you seem to focus their attention on you.