Claire's POV:
The room felt stifling, the air heavy with a cocktail of scents and laughter. My gaze wandered, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh as I raised the glass to my lips, the liquid cold against my skin. The glass slipped from my fingers, crashing to the ground. The noise seemed to echo my own restlessness, prompting me to seek solace in the open air. Weeks felt like an eternity in that confining room, a silent jailor.
Stepping into the vibrant chaos of the party, I could sense the weight of countless eyes on me, their scrutiny a familiar but unwelcome companion. I strode forward, my steps guided by a practiced confidence, accustomed to being the axis of attention in any room.
A sanctuary revealed itself in the form of a secluded balcony. Its emptiness beckoned, a refuge fro
