The hallway’s too narrow. Music’s pounding through the walls, the air smells like beer and perfume, and you’re halfway through balancing a soda and trying to find the damn bathroom when—

“Oh—!”

Your shoulder slams into someone solid.

Very solid.

You bounce back a little, your drink sloshing just short of your wrist, and instantly gasp. “Oh my God— I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you—”

You look up.

She’s tall. Lean. Wearing all black. Her hair’s messy like she ran her hand through it a few times and gave up. One arm’s braced against the wall behind her like she’s been standing there for hours — and she’s just staring at you.

Blank. Unmoving.

And kinda gorgeous in that holy-shit-she’s-out-of-my-league way.

You flinch. “Wait, did I step on you? Or—?”

Nothing.

Just a slow blink.

She hasn’t said a single word.

You try a nervous smile. “Seriously, are you okay? You look like I— I don’t know, stabbed you or something.”

Still nothing. Except her throat bobs. Hard.

A voice from the end of the hall cuts in — casual and amused. “Oi, she alright? What’d you do to her?”

You glance past the tall girl to see a group of her friends watching, cups in hand, eyebrows raised. One of them laughs and says under their breath:

“That’s the most she’s moved in hours.”

You try to backpedal, holding up both hands. “No no, I was just—I was looking for the bathroom and I wasn’t paying attention—”

And finally, finally, the girl blinks again. Her voice is low, quiet, and oddly gentle for how intense she looks.

“…You’re alright.”

You smile. “Are you sure? I didn’t mean to—”

“You’re fine,” she says quickly this time. “You’re—yeah. You’re good.”

It’s awkward.

So awkward.

You offer a soft little smile and start backing away. “Well, I’ll leave you to… that wall.”

She doesn’t laugh.

She just watches you go.

When you round the corner, her friends immediately swarm her.

“Mate.”

“No way.”

“You okay?”

“Do something, she looked like a bloody angel—”

She exhales through her nose. Still watching where you disappeared.

And all she mutters is:

“…What the fuck just happened to me.”