Ella woke up feeling refreshed, and after a full day of classes, she finally made her way back to her dorm. For now, there were just two people living there, her and another girl named Lilly.
The moment Ella walked in, Lilly greeted her with a bright smile. “You’re Ella, right? I’m Lilly. Looks like we’re roommates from here on out.”
Lilly had this lively, cheerful energy that was instantly infectious, but the first thing Ella noticed was the big, dark birthmark on Lilly’s right cheek. Against her pale skin, it really stood out.
Lilly caught her looking and didn’t even flinch. She spoke up right away, totally open. “Yeah, I was born with it. The doctors said there’s nothing to be done. Most of the girls here call me the clown girl behind my back. Nobody wanted to move in with me.”
She shrugged, almost like she was used to it. “If you’re not comfortable with me either, well…”
Ella grinned. “That’s funny, because I’m just a country girl. A country bumpkin and a clown girl—sounds like a dream team if you ask me. I think we’re meant to be roommates.”
She held out her hand. Lilly’s smile grew even sweeter as she took it, and just like that, they clicked.
It didn’t take long for Ella to realize how much she liked Lilly. She might have been born with a mark on her face, but there wasn’t a trace of insecurity in her. Lilly was open, honest, and had this sunny attitude that made you want to be around her.
A little later, Lilly grabbed Ella’s arm, her eyes sparkling. “Ella, let’s go out. I’ll treat you to a night at the bar.”
A bar? Ella hesitated, but Lilly was already dragging her toward the door before she could protest.
…
They ended up at 1996. Lilly marched right up to the host, practically bouncing with excitement. “We want your fanciest VIP suite.”
Ella pulled her aside, whispering, “Are you sure we can afford this?”
With a dramatic pat on her chest, Lilly whispered back, “Trust me, I’ve got money.”

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