Nancy knocked softly before pushing the door open, holding a small envelope in her hand. "Rose… can we talk for a moment?" she asked gently.
Rose didn't look up, her arms crossed, face still shadowed with frustration. "What is it, Nancy?" she muttered.
Nancy stepped closer, sitting on the edge of Rose's bed. "I know things have been… hard. And I know I've said some things that might have annoyed you," she began carefully, her voice softening. "But I think this might be something that could lift your spirits, even just a little."
Rose finally lifted her eyes, wary but curious.
Nancy held out the envelope. "I got this last week but didn't find the right moment to tell you. It's an invitation… to Lylian's birthday party. She invited both of us."
Rose froze, staring at the envelope as if it burned her fingers. Her lips parted, then closed again. "B-but… we're not friends. Why would she invite me?"
Nancy shrugged, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips. "I thought the same thing at first. You two aren't close, so why invite you at all? At first, I didn't want to mention it I know how stressed you've been but then I thought… maybe it's a chance to step out, see some old classmates, have a little fun."
Rose shook her head, her voice tight. "You're going there to see your classmates, not me. Don't pretend this is for me."
Nancy leaned closer, her tone patient but firm. "But Rose… maybe it's for both of us. And maybe it's okay to let yourself have a little fun, just for a night."
Rose's shoulders tensed.
"No, Nancy. You should know better. If I remember correctly, Lylian was your classmate, not mine. She should invite only people she knows… maybe a few friends… but why me?"
Nancy laughed softly, shaking her head. "Wait… hahaha. Hope it's not what I'm thinking!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief, trying to lighten the room's heavy air.
Rose's lips twitched, caught between a frown and a reluctant smile.