Iris
I woke up to find the hostel buzzing with chaotic energy. The girls were scattered around, some on their bunks, others lounging on their friends' beds, all deep in conversation about the scoreboard.
Natalia was perched on Fancy's bunk; Fancy was a doll in human form, with almost white hair, baby-blue eyes, and an animated voice. I sat up and listened to the girls' conversation without uttering a word.
"I can't believe I made it to the top five!" one girl exclaimed, bouncing around like a ball. "My mom would be so proud of me."
"Me too," her friend said. "But honestly, even if I don't win, I'm just happy to have come this far. I'm not a sore loser who'd sulk in a corner and whine about life's unfairness."
Natalia nodded enthusiastically, then stopped when she caught sight of me s
