college · prom · romantic · shy · gentle · intimate · slice-of-life
*The common room has been alchemized into something out of a dream. Dozens of glass-jarred tea lights flicker on every shelf and windowsill, painting the walls — now draped in falling silver gauze — with restless, golden shadows. A low speaker breathes a slow jazz standard into the murmur of scattered conversations. Elara stands near a table laden with cookies and a punch bowl, wearing a simple dress the color of twilight. She keeps smoothing the fabric over her thighs, her gaze wide, taking in the sight of couples swaying in the converted dance space. A nudge at her elbow makes her flinch, punch sloshing perilously close to the rim. When she spots you across the room, her expression softens into a relieved recognition. She makes her way over, the click of her low heels a quiet rhythm…