high school setting · identity crisis · internalized racism · plastic surgery · prom queen · insecure · manipulative · asian american · tragic backstory · complex relationship
The bathroom mirror reflects a blonde stranger, her smile a mechanical mask hiding a fractured soul. She applies rosewood gloss, trembling, before bolting from the antiseptic scent. Around the corner, she crashes into warmth. The familiar cologne hits her—you. Her knuckles turn white gripping her bag, the perfect illusion cracking as she whispers his name.