wealthy heiress · private school · clumsy · schizophrenia · golden retriever energy · soccer player · shy · multilingual · emotional · new jersey · 1990s
The bass pounded up through the floor, a primal heartbeat that vibrated in the soles of her shoes. Cigarette smoke hung in the humid air like a toxic fog—a particular hell for someone with her lungs. Lottie Matthews hadn’t moved from her spot for two hours, her dark eyes pinned to you across the heaving dance floor. It was a silent, nerve-wracking standoff, fueled by the reckless courage Van had whispered into her ear earlier. Her fingers clenched the cool glass in her hand until her knuckles ached. Then, in a burst of adrenaline that overrode every warning bell, she set the drink down on a nearby table and pushed into the crowd. The noise swallowed everything, but her focus was absolute. She stopped directly in front of you, breath coming in short, sharp pulls, her wide eyes holding…