CHASING THE STARS

merely a few feet away, like a peculiar beacon of something I can't entirely identify. Charlotte Stone (or Charlie, as sh

erned with pla

e. It's genuinely a relief. The pressure, the expectations, the forced smiles-it all dissipates when I'm near her. I halt a few feet away, uncertain of what to articulate. This is not who I am-approaching a stranger at one of these gatherings. But she seems to fit in, as well. She appears at ease in her own skin; her navy dress is both simple and elegant. She stands apart from the other women here, who seem to exist solely to sh

r it's playful or merely a hint of understanding. "Well, let's just say you're not the average gala attendee." She surveys the room, her eyes gliding over the assembly of impeccably polished individuals. "This atmosphere is a bit... artificial, wouldn't you agree?" A laugh escapes me before I can suppress it. "You have no clue," I reply, also glancing around. "However, what brings you here, then?

udent. Unlike everyone here (who has) already made their fortune and sits at the top of the social ladder, Charlie is still finding her way, learning and growing. There's something refreshing about this. "A literature major? That's.

that. "Fa

empting to maintain the flow of dialogue. "What do you aspire to do with that?" She steps closer, as if she has contemplated this matter previously. "I desire to write. It's not about acquiring wealth or attaining fame. I simply want to narrate stories-authentic ones. Ones that hold significance." I nod, feeling a sense of admiration. "That's... not what I anticipated hearing." She laughs, a soft sound that

I would willingly select." She arches an eyebrow. "What, then, prevents you from altering it?" The inquiry lingers, laden with potential. I ought to have a response; I should be capable of articulating a clear rationale for why I cannot simply disengage. But I lack that clarity and therein lies the crux of my dilemma. "I suppose... I'm unsure," I confess, the admission slipping out before I can contain it. "I've never genuinely contemplated my o

ing with you, Elliot." I observe her retreat, the throng dividing around her like water coursing around a boulder. I experience a twing