"Come on, let's raise a glass to our new colleague, Rachel!" one coworker called out, lifting their glass to start the toast.
As the guest of honor, Rachel became the center of attention.
But she had never been good with alcohol. After just a few glasses, her head felt heavy, and her cheeks were burning pink.
The world around her began to blur at the edges.
Trying not to let it show, she smiled weakly and politely declined the rest of her coworkers' drinks, making an excuse as she hurried toward the restroom.
Inside, Rachel leaned against the cool sink, splashing water on her flushed face. The chill helped, but only a little.
Her reflection in the mirror startled her. Strands of damp hair clung to her forehead and cheeks.
Her skin was glowing with an unsteady warmth, her petite nose standing out, and her lips looked brighter than usual, almost too vivid.
Her long lashes fluttered with every blink, like fragile butterfly wings.
