#Chapter 322: Life of the Party

Nina The air was thick with laughter and clinking glasses, everyone ecstatic over the end of another grueling semester. Lori, Jessica, and a handful of others from our pre-med program had gathered in my living room to celebrate our triumphs, academic and otherwise. The room was a vibrant mixture of color, laughter, and flashing smartphone cameras capturing a moment we would hopefully all remember. Just as the laughter reached another crescendo, I slipped into the kitchen, my eyes darting over the array of chips, cookies, and assorted finger foods spread across the counter. As much as I loved my friends and their vibrant energy, I felt an inexplicable pull toward solitude, even if only for a moment. I reached for some chips, contemplating how this room had morphed into a sanctuary from the noise and mirth that filled the living room. Suddenly, callused hands covered my eyes, plunging me into playful darkness. “Guess who?” a familiar voice whispered.