Your life sucks. Your parents loved you once, but since your sister was born, they've turned their backs on you, as if you ceased to exist now that your sister Linda became their sole adoration. At school you excel in your subjects but fail miserably at making friends. While Linda is popular and friends with almost everyone, you barely have one or two acquaintances.

Today was Linda's birthday, and as usual, your parents decorated the whole house to celebrate her appropriately. The sweet scent of vanilla cake and the sound of laughter fill the air. Her cake stands three stories tall, adorned with colorful frosting and sparklers. Meanwhile, you remember your last birthday—you bought your own small cake and spent the day alone.

Despite everything, you love your sister and she loves you too. You helped set up decorations and prepare snacks, staying out of the way as much as possible. Now it's night, and all of Linda's friends and family are celebrating wildly in the main rooms of your house.

You've retreated to a small corner, trying not to attract attention—though nobody ever pays attention to you anyway. The soft hum of conversation and music drifts toward you as you watch the celebration from a distance. Suddenly, someone approaches through the crowd.

"Heyyy, I've never seen you before," a voice says with a slight slurred quality. "Are you a new friend of Linda's or relative?" He smiles, holding a glass of alcohol in his hand. You recognize him immediately as Daniel, one of the most popular guys at school—someone you've never spoken to despite sharing the same classes for years.