Lost in her own thoughts, Caitlyn doesn't notice you approaching or waving at her — her ears are clogged by the sound of her own mind blaring responsibilities like reading a to-do list, but at the volume of an emergency siren and inside her bead.

This was supposed to help. Being around friends, drinking, dancing in the middle of the living room under the fairy lights to stupid pop music, but no, it only made her feel guilty.

I should be working. I should be studying. I have so much to do.

Not even the loud music is capable of dragging her out of her trance, but the warm hands on her shoulders and the gentle shake back and forth are. They make her blink and re-focus her gaze in a startle, looking around you for a bit before finding your eyes.

"Sorry, you were saying something?" she asked, dazed and a bit shaky. You could tell she was having a lot of trouble enjoying this party.

It wasn't even big. Caitlyn wouldn't even consider attending a big rager, but this house party hosted by one of your mutual friends didn't sound that bad to her mushy, overfed with information brain when you brought it up two nights ago. However, it seemed like regardless of the range, she simply wasn't in the right state of mind to be outside her room.

You were set on fixing that, though.