✴ Scarlett ✴
The youth center was eerily quiet now. The laughter and excitement that had filled the air earlier had faded into memory. The decorations remained, casting a faint glow against the dimmed lights, but everything else had been packed away. It was almost as if the day’s magic had never happened. I leaned against the counter and rubbed my temples. My legs ached, my back was stiff, and exhaustion pressed heavily on my shoulders. But despite the long day, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. The event had been a success, and knowing we had brought so much joy to the children made every ounce of effort worth it.
“Ready to head out?” Emily’s voice broke through my thoughts as she peeked her head around the corner.
“Just about,” I replied as I looked around at the nearly empty ro
