A Test Disguised as a Party

They said it was just a party. Said I didn’t have to do anything. Just smile.

Just listen. Just learn. The madam fixed my hair one last time.

Smoothed my dress. Checked my makeup. She said this was a test. To see if I was

ready. To see if I could handle pressure. I walked into a room full of strangers

who didn’t see a child. Music loud. Lights low. Eyes everywhere.

I kept hearing her voice in my head— Don’t talk too much. Don’t say no too fast.

Don’t embarrass us. That’s when I understood… this wasn’t a party. It was a test to

see how much of myself I was willing to give up.