As I pulled the door open, the buzz of conversation hit me like a wave. The room was already packed, bodies pressed close, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of speculation. My stomach twisted as I stepped inside, the memories of my birthday flashing vividly in my mind. The tension, the stares, the whispers-all of it still haunted me. I kept my head down, trying to make myself as small as possible, and shuffled toward the back of the crowd.
The air was heavy with curiosity, almost suffocating. Everyone seemed to be speculating about the sudden meeting, their voices a low hum that added to my discomfort. I found an empty chair tucked away in the corner and sank into it, trying to blend into the shadows.
My gaze wandered over the faces in the room, familiar yet distant. Mrs. Hucklebe
