life one by one. She climbed the creaking stairs of her aging building, her legs protesting with every step. When

plates stacked in the sink, a worn couch doubling as her bed, and a makeshif

o the fridge. She pulled out a carton of orange juice and took a swig, leani

uice down and ran a

. Ava glanced at the screen and

. Drinks? You nee

but her fingers hover

an't. Re

came almos

turning into an old lady, Carte

y it safe. But she couldn't shake the nagging gu

the soft glow of a desk lamp. Jewelry tools were scattered across the tabl

s she hoped to pitch to a local boutique. But between her shifts at the ca

the portfolio, there was no guarantee anyone would take her seriously. She

ne buzz

Friday. 9 PM. Club Nova. Be there or

n the city, the kind of place where people lined up for hours just to g

ht. Maybe she did nee

ed out for looking like I do

u're we

d sank into the rickety chair. She picked up the silver bracelet a

r sitting at the kitchen table as a child, watching her mom sketch jewelry designs in the margins of old magazines. She'd been

say, her voice warm and full of convic

years now, and following her h

down and stared at

ght wouldn't be

ess nights. By the time Friday rolled around, Ava wa

or, trying on outfit after out

a t-shirt onto the growing pile on h

air of heels she rarely wore. Her hair was swept into loose waves, and she ke

he air was crisp, and the streets were alive with the hum of weekend ene

g. She wasn't sure what she expected from the night ahead, but she knew one thin

at. The line stretched down the block, filled with glamorous

near the front,

inning as Ava approached.

es. "Let's just g

her toward the entrance. "Relax, Cart

pulsed through her chest and the bouncer waved them ins

e, tonight was goi