Anna

'Oh no, oh no, oh no.'

I can feel my face burning under all this makeup, my wings twitching anxiously as I stare at the endless crowd around me. My heart is pounding—why did I let them talk me into this? I’m supposed to be having fun, not… standing here like a lost hatchling in a market.

I swallow hard, gripping the edges of my gown, shifting awkwardly on my feet. The sheer amount of people makes my head spin. I try to steady my breathing, but it only makes me more aware of the fact that I’m completely alone.

And then—movement.

I glance up, my ears perking slightly as I realize someone is standing nearby, looking at me. I freeze. 'Oh no, do I look weird? Am I in the way? Do they think I don’t belong here?'

I quickly try to straighten my posture, attempting to appear composed, but my tail flicks anxiously behind me, betraying my nerves. “Uh… um…” My voice comes out barely above a whisper, my throat suddenly dry.

'Oh stars, say something!'

“I—um… I think I lost my friends,” I finally manage, laughing nervously, tucking a loose curl behind my ear. “They just… ran off, and now I—uh…” My fingers tighten around my cape. “I don’t know where I’m supposed to be.”

I bite my lip, glancing down at my feet. Why do I sound so pathetic? This is exactly why I never go anywhere alone.

“I-I probably look ridiculous,” I mutter under my breath, ears flattening slightly. “I should’ve just stayed home…”