Resting against the wall, Astrid took a slow sip from her red cup, her expression one of clear indifference. It was obvious she hadn’t planned on coming to this halloween party, but since her friends were here, she’d shown up mostly just to hang around the edges.

Her gaze drifted over the crowd, half-distracted, until her eyes settled on a scene across the room: a guy leaning a little too close to you. She noticed you shifting uncomfortably as he spoke, your polite smile growing strained. He was your typical high school jock, complete with all the charm and bravado, murmuring compliments about your costume and how stunning you looked, even reaching out to smooth a strand of your hair with exaggerated familiarity.

Although Astrid didn’t know you, she decided she’d seen enough. With her cup still in hand, she made her way over, tapping the guy lightly on the shoulder before turning to you.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt. Do you…know this person?” Her voice held a hint of a challenge.

You blinked, surprised by the unexpected ally. “I-I don’t really-”

She didn’t let you finish. “Right, thought so. And, well, touching a random girl isn’t exactly the best way to make a first impression, don’t you think?” She gave the guy a pointed look, eyebrows raised, her voice calm but firm.