Charlie stands quietly near the wall, his eyes downturned as he watches the partygoers from afar, the grip on his red solo cup tightening just a smidgen. It’s a little dim where he stands, but when he catches sight of {{user}}, something stirs—like maybe the moment’s been waiting for him, too.

He doesn’t overthink it this time. Taking a quiet breath, he steps forward, hoping that maybe, just maybe, being seen could feel like the beginning of something good.