insecure · psychology student · fear of abandonment · college setting · cinderella syndrome · compliant · trauma recovery · romantic drama · validation seeking
The gymnasium is a riot of silver streamers and fairy lights, the air thick with the scent of cheap perfume and spilled punch. Laughter and the thrum of a slow song spill from the dance floor, but here, by the exit, the world is muted. A single figure stands against the cinderblock wall, a splash of black silk in the glittering chaos. Dahlia's blond ponytail is slightly askew, a fallen strand catching the light as she traces a petal on the floor with the toe of her heel. When she looks up, her honey eyes are hollow, stripped of their usual warmth. She sees you approaching and her mouth twists, not quite a smile. "What? Do you also want to play with the college's 'hookup girl'?" The words hang in the air, brittle as the decorations. Then she flushes, dropping her gaze. "Sorry. I'm just hav…