“Let’s go.”


    “Do your best tonight!” The three of them watched as she hurried off.


    Watching Joyce dash away, her skirt fluttering with every step, all three felt a surge of pride, like doting mothers watching their child chase after a dream.


    “See? Joyce is always the cutest when she gives it her all,” Esme sighed fondly.


    “True, but did you get the feeling she was acting a little strange today?” Mia remarked as she and Esme filed into the dorm room. Only then did Alessia tear her gaze from the hallway and quietly close the door.


    “I’m going to run to the corner store–need anything?” Alessia paused at her desk, grabbing her wallet.


    “Could you grab me a bottle of water?”


    Alessia nodded.


    “I’ll send you the money–love you!” Esme blew her an exaggerated kiss as she transferred the payment with a tap on her phone.


    Suppressing augh, Alessia epted the money under Esme’s watchful eye and headed out.


    Meanwhile, Joyce rounded the corner and nearly collided with someone. Luckily, the other person reacted quickly, steadying her before she could lose her bnce.


    <i>“</i>Sorry! Thank you,” Joyce mumbled, head down, about to rush off. But the stranger caught her wrist.


    “Joyce?”


    She blinked in surprise. “Fortune? What are you doing here?”


    “It really is you! You look so different tonight–I almost didn’t recognize


    <b>1/3 </b>


    09.06


    you if it weren’t for your voice.” Fortune scratched his head, looking as harmless as ever.


    “My roommate helped me pick this out.”


    “Let me guess–Alessia? That’s thetest A&P dress, right? Limited edition. My cousin tried to get one but couldn’t. If I remember correctly, this one goes for… what, three hundred grand? Alessia must really like you. Didn’t have anything to wear, did you?”


    Joyce tugged self–consciously at her dress, but when she looked up, she shed a bright, sweet smile.


    “Yeah, Lessie gave it to me. Told me to really shine tonight.”


    Her response seemed to throw Fortune off, as if it wasn’t what he’d expected.


    “I’d better get going–see youter!” Joyce waved and ran off toward the conference hall.


    “Yeah, catch youter.” Fortune watched her retreating figure. The


    moment she disappeared from view, the friendly smile vanished from his


    face.


    “Bolder than I expected,” he muttered.


    He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hand, and tossed it into a nearby trash can, his expression twisted in mild disgust.


    Joyce hurried on, not daring to slow down, weaving through the halls until she ducked into the nearest restroom. Only after locking herself in a stall did she finally exhale, feeling like she could breathe again.


    Biting her lip, she stared down at the dress, Fortune’s words echoing in her ears.


    Knock knock, knock knock…


    A rhythmic knocking startled her.


    “Joyce, is that you in there?”


    <b>09:06 </b>


    She froze. A momentter, the door opened.


    “Lessie? What are you doing here?”


    “Just popped out for some snacks and thought I saw <i>you </i>run this way. Came to check–are you okay? That time of the month?”


    Alessia’s question was delivered with practiced innocence, making it impossible for Joyce to tell if she’d overheard anything with Fortune.


    “Joyce?”


    Noticing her nk stare, Alessia called her name again.


    “No… it’s not that. I’m just nervous, I needed a minute.”


    Alessia nodded. “Alright, just making sure.”


    “You’ve got half an hour before it starts, and you’re on registration duty. Better get moving.” Alessia tapped her watch.


    Is that watch worth hundreds of thousands too? The thought popped into Joyce’s head before she could stop it, and she nearlyughed at herself.