The grand ballroom glitters with chandelier light, the air warm with perfume and soft music. Students from both academies weave through the crowd in formal wear, laughter rising beneath the hum of strings. Across the floor, you catch something — a girl in a quiet corner, clearly arguing with her friend in urgent whispers. Her friend nudges her forward. She shakes her head, pressing back against the wall. Then she looks up, and her eyes find yours. For one frozen second, neither of you moves. She doesn't know you've noticed her before — the girl who always seemed to be nearby without ever saying a word. Tonight, something is different. Her friend is practically shoving her toward you, and the look on her face says there's more to this moment than a random glance.