A young girl of fifteen, slightly more, sat tensely at a large, fancy wooden table. There were bright, blinding lights around her, flashing the room in colours as the chatter of adults filled the space. Their words weaved into her ears as they paid meaningless compliments to gain her attention.

She ignored them, instead tilting her head down as she carved her gaze into the table below her, imagining it crumble and burn along with everything else in the room. Her long, black hair cascaded past her shoulders, tickling her cheeks and jaw. She was alone at this wretched party, for her parents were elsewhere cozying themselves up to another high-status person, and her younger sister was left at home to her own devices.

She presumed she was the youngest person present at the dinner party, as everyone else must've been at least over 20.

"Noelle, your dress looks stunning today. Do you know where your parents are? I would like to talk with them."

The girl, Noelle Park, glanced up at the man talking to her. He was short and squat, with a bushy moustache that resembled a hairy caterpillar and big, watery eyes. He was dressed in a smart grey suit, a red tie and a snow-white handkerchief tucked neatly into his pocket. His entire demeanour reeked of wealth and power.

"No." Noelle wrinkled her nose, looking at the man for only a second before averting her gaze back to the rest of the room. She'd rather not look at him; he reminded her too much of her own father.

The man's too-wide smile faltered for only a jiffy when he thought she couldn't see, but he fixed it right back on just as quickly.

"Well, could you point me in the direction in which they may be?" he asked politely.

"I would, but I don't know. I'm sorry," Noelle said hurriedly and excused herself. "I must use the bathroom, have a good night, sir."

She left him behind, pushing herself through the hoard of people in the room. Despite its size, there were a great number of families present at the dinner party. She watched each of her steps to make sure she didn't accidentally trod on the new dress of this lady or barge and spill the drink on the suit of that gentleman.

All the time, she looked around to spot the familiar face she was looking for. The only reason why she ever agreed to attend the party. She should be arriving at any moment, one of the last to show up before the feast begins.

When she spotted her, Noelle's heart seized in relief. Her tanned face stood out among the countless grey shapes surrounding her.

"Noelle!" the girl called and threaded her way throughout the room like an expert as her short brown hair bounced behind her.

Her name was Zuzanna Winter, Noelle's longest friend. They'd met years ago, too long for Noelle to count, and had been stuck at the hip since. Devoted to one another, they pledged to be best friends forever. It was a naïve childhood fantasy, part of Noelle argued, but friends do not leave you, not in your darkest days.

"Let's get out of here," Zuzanna breathed in her ear, an angel, a beacon, a light. Her hero saved her from this awful place and got her away from those people.

"Gardens?" Noelle suggested. The door was closed, no one would know.

She threaded her fingers through the gaps in Zuzanna's hand and led her to the rosy gardens just outside. They slipped through the door, unheard, and ducked under the windowsill so as to not be spotted by a guest astray.

Then did Noelle realise she still held Zuzanna's hand, and she let go as if burned by fire. Zuzanna didn't react if she noticed.

The path below them was carefully engraved in the soil, with tidy flowers dotted in a straight line. Aloe vera was planted in the soil, an unusual sight. The garden adorned so many breathtaking species of plants; roses, colours of pink, yellow and red; tulips, planted at the far fence and lining the path they walked, petunias, in the multiple flowerbeds; yellow acacias hanging from pots; vines, growing on the walls like a raging and uncontrolled fire; it was a beautiful sight indeed, and Noelle felt like she was blessed by God to be in this garden of Eden accompanied by the presence of Zuzanna to her right.

"Are you alright?" Zuzanna tentatively spoke, touching her arm lightly. Noelle leaned into her warmth.

"I don't know... I am not as good as you with all these... parties," Noelle admitted, her voice small. She was embarrassed to admit it, even to her best friend.

Zuzanna hummed, comfortingly rubbing circles in her palm, allowing her to continue.

"I just wish I was somewhere else... anywhere else," said Noelle, looking at the sky. The moon shone brightly in the evening, casting its sickly, pale glow over the world and painting it silver. Clusters and constellations of stars dotted the night sky, dancing millions of miles away. She felt they were mocking her.

"Why?" Zuzanna asked gently. She had stopped rubbing circles.

"I'm just sick of everyone - not you of course. I would like you to be with me," Noelle assured. She reached down into the deepest chamber of her heart that held the most secrets, dragging out her biggest one. "I don't fit in here, I never did. I don't want to live in London anymore, I don't want anything to do with all those stuck-up people who always butter me up and never see me for more than my status. You're the only one who sees past that, Zuzanna. You're my- you are my best friend."

Noelle did not even realise the pearl running down her cheek until it dripped onto the floor, sparking under the moonlight.

"I'm with you Noelle, until the end. I won't leave you. Also, it is only three years until you can move away; we can move away into the countryside in a small house and live in luxury!" Zuzanna smiled, gripping her hand tightly.

"Sounds appealing," Noelle sniffled, turning her head to look at her friend. Zuzanna's rosy lips were split into a genuine smile, and it was rare, and her brown eyes crinkled at the folds.

"Should we go back in? The food must be arriving and our parents will be looking for us," said Noelle. The talking and music in the hall had quietened down.

Zuzanna's eyes held a mischievous gleam, and Noelle's heartbeat raced again at the thrill.

"I was thinking of ditching the party and going elsewhere?" she suggested, and Noelle quickly agreed. They diverted away from the path, jumping over the fence in their frilly dresses as they whipped around their legs. The wind blew past Noelle's ears, roaring. She felt like she was falling, with the wind rushing through her hair and the joyful laughs of her and her companion.

With a watch in hand, they flocked around the bare, London streets. They were alone, there was no need to act according to society's harsh standards and they could be free. Paranoia still rested inside Noelle, and she looked at her wristwatch every single minute.

The girls made their way towards the London Eye, which wasn't far. They got themselves tickets for a ride and sat down in their own little booth, alone. Noelle rested her head on her friend's shoulder, sighing softly as she admired the view.

From their position, they could see the entirety of London. Big Ben stood proudly below, only a speck, and Buckingham palace was a blur in the distance. The sky was darkening, sending a beautiful array of sunset reds, yellows and pinks, blended like a perfect picture. The buildings were arranged like a puzzle piece, and if Noelle traced the streets with her finger she thought she could even point out where her own home was.

"You know, I haven't been to the London Eye in ages," Zuzanna murmured. Noelle looked at her in surprise.

"Really? I go quite often, mostly with Valerie. She always loves to see the view," Noelle replied.

Zuzanna leant her head, so it was leaning on top of Noelle's. "I'm glad to be doing this with you," she said.

Noelle closed her eyes contently. Most of her best moments were spent with Zuzanna, and they didn't even necessarily have to talk - a comfortable silence was enough. That kind of friendship, Noelle was glad for.

They made their way back when the party was reaching its end. Noelle returned to her parents, who had not even spoken a word, let alone looked at her. She doubted they realised she was gone.

She bid Zuzanna goodbye, as she was led away from the party and into a cab her mother hired.

"Did you enjoy the party, dear?"

"I did," Noelle lied through her teeth. "Though I feel a little sick, can we go home quickly?"

They arrived at a large estate in the heart of a busy London. The street was littered with fancy cars and expensive residences. The Park home was a great build, with clear, ivory walls and smoothed-out bricks, massive windows with rims of the purest white, several rooms, including master bedrooms and guest rooms, as well as a well-kept garden in the front, and an even greater garden in the back.

Noelle stood behind her father in silence as he slid his key into the keyhole, before pushing the door open. It revealed a curved, white corridor, with bright LED lights dotted on the ceiling and valuable paintings plastered on the walls. She stepped in, and the smell of perfume and air freshener immediately hit her nose.

"Can you call Valerie downstairs? I'll heat up some food for supper," said Aurora Park, Noelle's mother. "Richard, can you set the table?"

Noelle ran upstairs, her dainty feet barely tapping the wooden stairs. She arrived at Valerie's door, which was close shut. The girl had insisted she wanted to stay home instead of going to the party, so their parents finally agreed on leaving her with a babysitter.

"Valerie? Mum says come downstairs for dinner," she said, rapping on the door. Inside, she heard shuffling before it cracked open, and a round face popped out from between the crack. A mess of black hair rested atop of her head, framing her young, white face.

"Now?" Valerie asked, obviously annoyed. Her high and girly voice was laced with irritation, though Noelle knew it was not aimed at her. "Didn't you eat at the party? I'm not hungry."

"Well, the party was long. We ate hours ago. Mum's just heating some leftovers up. Can I come in?" Noelle asked, and in response, Valerie opened the door wide enough for her to pass through.

The room looked like that of a typical ten-year-old girl: painted light pink, with posters from her favourite movie and toys scattered over the floor. The bed was in the far corner, and a desk was propped up against the wall. The middle of the room had a blue, circular carpet and a large open space for free movement.

"You better clean that up before dad comes in," Noelle warned, waggling her finger at her younger sister. Just then, she heard Aurora's voice call from downstairs.

Dinner was stiff. Nobody spoke to each other, and they all ate the chicken in silence. Occasionally, Richard or Aurora tried to ask one of their daughters about their day, but Valerie was too busy eating as much as she could to answer and Noelle didn't feel like speaking to her parents.

When done, she excused herself upstairs and began getting herself ready for bed. She took a hot shower, brushed her teeth, and changed into her nightgown. She examined herself in the large bathroom mirror, poking and prodding at all the little insecurities on her face.

Every small thing she hated about herself: her bumpy skin and wobbly nose, her thick eyebrows, and the bangs her parents loved. She sighed, shoving those thoughts away from her mind. She smiled at herself, trying to ignore the braces that she revealed, before heading back to Valerie's room to tuck her in.

"Knock knock," she called softly and walked inside. Valerie was already in her nightgown, laying on the floor and scribbling in a notebook she got for her birthday. "Time for bed, Valerie."

"Aw, already?" Valerie whined, yet she obeyed and jumped onto the bed, hiding under the covers. Richard always joked she listened to Noelle better than she did to her own parents. She was not surprised, considering they never bothered to engage in their life or spend time with them. Which was why she was now in Valerie's room preparing her for the night.

"School tomorrow, it will be a long day," Noelle said, stroking her sister's hair as she sat on the edge of the bed. "You need energy, especially since you have your dance lessons tomorrow."

"I forgot," Valerie yawned, turning away from Noelle. "I'm sleepy, goodnight Ellie."

Noelle smiled at the nickname, reserved for her by only her closest people.

"Night Val."

She left the room, turning off the light switch and shutting the door quietly. Noelle tiptoed past the room of her parents, and hearing no noises inside, she proceeded to her own room.

With nobody to tuck her in, Noelle got herself into bed, enveloping herself in her bedsheets. She closed her eyes, blocking out the moonlight and peeking through the curtains. Tomorrow was another day, the same routine, the same people, and the same struggles.

If only it was different...

Credits to cryingpersonn for the "thank you" banner