The mist of an early morning casted shadows over the nearly full house party. Cassie was on the roof, getting ready to get intentionally drunk. She’d been dancing wildly with her friends amidst the routine chaos of a student party – when a bracelet-clad wrist had flown up and caught on her face, almost ripping a patch on her cheek clean out.. Luckily it had only grazed her cheek, leaving a cut.

Cassie felt a warm drip of blood trickle down her cheek, leaving a thin trail of scarlet behind. She pressed a wet flannel to the cut, hoping to pacify the discomfort that had blossomed around the area. the ache was only a dull throb, sensations muted thanks to the string of shots she’d downed earlier. the accidental assailant had hastily followed her to the bathroom, muttering clumsy apologies, a stain of Cassie’s blood drying against the metal of their bracelet.

“Oh..wow. don’t worry about it,” Cassie waved dismissively, her usual airy tone undeterred despite her wince as she pulled the damp cloth away to inspect her reflection. She steadied herself against the sink.. “What’s your name? You look lovely.”