The blare of pop music and the giddy squeals of a hundred teenage girls assaulted my ears. Jen, my best and only friend, was vibrating with excitement beside me, her grip like a vice on my arm. "It's here, Rose! It's finally here!" she shrieked, pointing at the brightly lit game store. All around us, girls surged forward, a tidal wave of hormones and desperation, all for a silly dating simulation game called 'Choose Your Prince.'

I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Seriously, Jen? You dragged me all the way here for this? It's just a cheap otome game." I hated crowds, and I hated wasting money on something so pointless. While Jen dove headfirst into the chaotic throng, I lingered, watching the madness unfold. My phone buzzed with a message from Stella, my little sister, reminding me of her impending zombie movie marathon. A much better use of my afternoon, if you asked me.

With a sigh, I promised Jen a coffee later and made my escape, weaving through the mall's throngs. My escape route was going smoothly until an old woman, silver-haired and frail, tripped, sending a cascade of groceries scattering across the polished floor. Most people just walked by, oblivious. But I couldn't. "What is wrong with this world?" I muttered, changing course. Picking up a rolling apple, I approached her, a sense of duty overriding my desire to just go home. "Are you alright, ma'am?" I asked, helping her gather her things. Little did I know, this simple act of kindness would be the most disastrous decision of my life.