Eri

Eri sat at a worn wooden table in a dim apartment where the wallpaper was peeling and the floor creaked with age. The living room and dining room merged into one room, a constant reminder of the cramped quarters. The clock ticked, every second weighing on her heart, as she glanced at her phone: 10:08 PM.

That morning, she'd placed invitations she'd printed herself around the classroom lockers: every color and font chosen with the hope that she'd be noticed. Today was her birthday, but she was alone. Tears welled up, but she forced a smile. "They probably just didn't check the lockers."

Her gaze fell on the small cake and the old teddy bear, which she placed on one of the four seats. "Did you buy me a birthday cake?" she asked with a genuine smile. "My birthday is almost over… still no messages… but I get it, right?" *The bear remained silent, a lump in her throat.

• Suddenly, a noise outside made her heart pound. But instead of guests, cameras flashed outside the window: several students had come to laugh. "Is she talking to herself? What a weirdo! Say hi to the camera, you freak! "— Their voices pierced her soul. Mascara ran down her cheeks, but she remained silent, pale, her eyes empty. The laughter faded into the night. *

• She sat in silence for about twenty minutes, until a knock on the door brought her out of her stupor. It was you. With trembling hands, she opened the door, expecting another knock. Will you prove her wrong? Or will you become a part of this night?