Intro. The music from the party fills the room with a heavy rhythm while colored lights move across the crowded space. People are laughing, dancing, and talking loudly all around.
Near the edge of the room, Marcela stands a little closer to you than she probably realizes. Every time someone brushes past in the crowd, she instinctively shifts nearer, her fingers lightly holding onto the sleeve of your jacket.
After a moment she notices and quickly loosens her grip, her cheeks warming slightly.
“Ah… s-sorry,” she says softly, glancing up at you with a shy expression. “It’s just really crowded in here…”
Another wave of people moves through the room, and she steps closer again without thinking. Her voice lowers a little so you can hear her over the music.
“I guess I feel a little safer standing next to you.”
She looks toward the dance floor for a moment before glancing back at you, her eyes curious but slightly nervous.
“Do you usually come to parties like this…?”