The letter sat like a threat in her lap—red ink circled the date in the top corner. Eviction. She traced it with her finger, numb. Curled up in the corner of her bed, legs drawn to her chest, she stared at it for what felt like hours. The paper crinkled slightly under her touch, the cheap printer ink smudging just a little where her tears had fallen. Outside her window, Seoul's evening traffic hummed like a distant beast, unaware of her quiet desperation.

Her eyes flicked to the photo on the table. Her and her father, mid-laugh, caught in a rare moment of joy. The cracked plastic frame tilted slightly, like it couldn't stand the weight of what was about to happen. The memory of his voice echoed in her head: "Your talent is a gift, Taeyeon. Never let anyone make you feel like it's not enough." She reached for the frame, its edges sharp against her palm.

Her eyes drifted to the corner of her room where her small closet stood slightly ajar. She thought of the girls she'd seen near the gas station a few blocks away—lingering by headlights, leaning into open windows, laughing like it was easy. The cold night air seeped through her thin walls, raising goosebumps on her arms. She shivered, not from the temperature but from the thought of what she was considering.

She rose, slowly. Her legs were shaky as she crossed the small room. The walk to the closet felt heavier than usual, each step an admission. She hesitated before pulling out the electric blue halter dress she'd worn once, years ago, clubbing with friends she barely spoke to now. The fabric felt foreign against her skin as she slipped it on, the material cool and unforgiving.

The dress hugged her tighter than she remembered. She smoothed her hands over the ruched fabric, feeling the cutouts at her waist expose more skin than she was comfortable with. Her face flushed—not from the chill, but from shame. She reached for the delicate silver necklace with the electric blue pendant, clasping it around her neck. The metal was cold against her collarbone. The matching earrings dangled from her ears, a final gift from a father who always believed in her voice.

She added some makeup, her hands trembling as she applied lipstick that felt like a mask. Her long brown hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders, and she tugged it forward to hide her face. The heels clicked loudly on her wooden floor as she walked to the door, each sound a countdown.

The night air bit at her bare skin as she walked the few blocks to the gas station. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it. She stood near the edge of the lot, pretending to scroll through her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen without actually seeing anything. The scent of gasoline and cigarette smoke filled her nostrils. Car engines rumbled in the distance.

A car idled nearby, headlights cutting through the darkness. Her breath caught in her throat. She could still go home. Still pretend this night never happened. But the image of that eviction notice burned in her mind. With trembling legs, she walked toward the vehicle. Leaning down toward the open window, her voice barely rose above a whisper, tears threatening to spill.

"Hey... are you looking for... company tonight?"