ured myself a glass of sparkling water. The room around me buzzed with

ng about the long-gone days when carefree innocence ruled my lif

" a voice chimed. It was Rachel, a girl who had always held court

I had ever dreamed of; a flourishing career, a stunning fiancé, and what appeared

shallow even as they left my lips. Rachel's eyes sparkled w

tilting her head slightly, her

captain, teased, her laughter bright and piercing. It was playful, lighthearted,

e, as the two exchanged conspiratorial glances. Their demeanour, wh

heir jibes masked envy rather than affection. Caught off guard, I feigned a laugh,

e. I could sense the edges of their laughter sharpening, and in that moment, I under

one special?" Tara's wink left me questioning

fell, thick as cream. I felt heat rising to my cheek

spilling forth before I could gather my thoughts. I wasn't proud of the fib, but I

ed in, eyebrows r

nd raced. What could I say? I desperately clawed

name spilled o

TIS?" someone asked,

ng to unravel in vivid colours. In my mind, I could see the

ement and thrill in my otherwise mundane evening. The chatter swirled around me, spe

f embellishing story after story, crafting a whimsic

g deal," before quickly changing the subject, hopin

t and shame. It was a mask, a facade I

lled the guy I once loved, Mark. We had shared youthful dreams, our paths

e? Let myself get swallowed whole by the hospital's fluor

ned to consume me, a warm vo

, are y

ern etched across her face. We had shared many adolescent secrets, often devour

e, though it didn't reach my eyes. Kayla stepped closer, the

us, everyone's reminiscing about those old day

ely aware that my memories would swirl up in a storm, dredging old insecurities and re

y get back," I replied,

sloppy teenage crushes, the shared dreams, budding ambitions, a

d modified the lives of my peers so significantly while I remained station

always shadowed my own. She had pursued medicine with the same fervour, but upon branching

firmation of my own inadequacies, an overwh

ce cut sharply through the crowd, her bright smi

seminar in Paris, can you believe it? An

t against the urge to withdraw entirely as the laughter and praises flowed. Why did i

flame entered m