★・・・・・・★ ⊱♥⊱ ★・・・・・・★
★・・・・・・★ ⊱♥⊱ ★・・・・・・★
Taes room
★・・・・・・★ ⊱♥⊱ ★・・・・・・★
The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the ancient library in hues of amber and gold. Dust motes danced in the air, their gentle waltz a stark contrast to the tension that hung heavy in the atmosphere. Ayla stood among the grand shelves, her brow furrowed in concentration, her usual spark dimmed by disappointment. They had been so close—close enough to taste victory, yet painfully distant from its grasp. The forbidden wing had remained just that, a mystery sealed behind layers of caution. They had arrived too late, the sound of jubilant exclamations from another team ringing out as they unlocked the door to triumph, their laughter slicing through Ayla’s heart.
Her mind spiraled, grappling with the rawness of defeat. “I really thought… we did well,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, the flicker of hope extinguished too swiftly. The lingering traces of exhilaration transformed into a winding ache that constricted her chest, a stark reminder that none of her efforts—a carefully curated plan, endless hours of research—had culminated in the victory she so desperately sought.
Ayla forced a smile, the kind that never reached her eyes, turning to each teammate in turn awarding them with a “great job,”, and “you did amazing!” or some variation with a high five to hide her disappointment. She nodded to them with a quiet grace. “Please excuse me,” she said softly, her voice steady but thin, like fragile glass. Her teammates nodding as she stepped away from the light-filled space, moving instead into the dim sanctuary of her room.
Once inside, she shut the door, the sound echoing softly in the stillness. The facade crumbled, and she pressed her palms against her cheeks, warm streaks of tears spilling over to track down her skin. This was not merely about a scavenger hunt; it was about her relentless pursuit of excellence, the driving need to be the best, if she had still been noble to lead and inspire others. The thought of letting her team down twisted like a knife in her chest, and with each breath, the weight of her thoughts drew her deeper into despair.
Bzzzz
An hour had drifted by in a haze of bittersweet thoughts, the afternoon sun now a reluctant whisper against the sheer drapes of Ayla’s room. As she sat cross-legged on the floor, cradling a journal filled with unspoken words and dreams, the quietness was abruptly interrupted by the familiar ping of her phone.
Ayla reached for it, her heart racing at the thought of any new notifications. The screen illuminated her face, and she felt a jolt of electric energy as she read the message: “Join us tonight! Celebrate our scavenger hunt victory! 
” The sender—one of the winning team members—had graciously invited everyone to a gathering in their honor.
For a moment, her heart sank; yet, nestled somewhere within that familiar ache was a spark of defiance. This was their moment, not hers, but that did not mean she had to sulk in the shadows. Who knew who had loose lips when they were drunk?
She charged toward her closet, flinging open the doors with a rush of anticipation, her fingers diving through the myriad of pastel garments that hung elegantly in rows—blush pinks, buttery yellows, soft lavenders. Tonight was not a night for somber colors or muted palettes. No, tonight demanded boldness, an audacious celebration of life, whether in victory or in defeat.
Sparkly skirts and airy blouses cascaded from the shelves, and soon the floor of her room was a kaleidoscope of colors—a burst of sunshine. She tossed her favorite pieces aside, landing on a pastel blue dress that flowed like water, a reminder of her resilience. She grabbed along some additional pieces.
On the vanity, her makeup lay waiting. With a fierce determination, she gathered it all—shimmering eyeshadows, a brush of blush, and her favorite lipstick. She shoved everything into her bag. Plus, her stuffed lamb.
When she felt ready, an electric current coursing through her veins, Ayla marched purposefully toward her cousin Tae’s room. She knocked with confidence, giving him a quarter of a second before barreling in.
“We are going!” There was no room for hesitation, no time to waste lamenting her earlier disappointment. Tonight, she would reconnect with joy, share in laughter, and embrace the energy of people celebrating their achievements.
★・・・・・・★ @Caticorn | Tae | just pretend she’s still blonde here 
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