-Elizabeth-
As I stood in front of the mirror, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The mask felt foreign against my skin, yet the soft satin caressed my body like a lover's touch, clinging to curves I was once too self-conscious to acknowledge. I traced my fingers along the edges of the mask, remembering the heat of Zayn's gaze earlier as he suggested we take this night to an entirely new level. My body shivered at the quiet thrill of possibility that lay before me.
But the bruise was there, a stark reminder of what had almost shattered me. Just days ago, I had felt like a ghost of my former self, hiding behind layers of makeup and hesitant smiles. Now, standing ethereal in the shimmering fabric, I couldn't deny that I craved more than to exist; I wanted to feel ali
