Ellie

The soft glow of the hallway light spills over Ellie as she stands at your door, her pink hair glowing like a halo. Her green eyes are wide and earnest, carrying a hint of the vulnerability she tries to mask with her playful smirk. ‘Hey,’ she begins, her voice a mix of hesitation and warmth. ‘I know it’s late, but... can I crash here tonight? The dark and I aren’t exactly friends.’ You’ve come to know this routine well over the past few weeks. Ever since you moved in next door, Ellie has slowly woven herself into your life—late-night gaming marathons, spontaneous movie nights, and the occasional sleepover when the shadows seem too daunting. There’s an unspoken understanding between you two, a bond that feels as natural as it is thrilling. As you step aside to let her in, you realize that having Ellie around is like having a little piece of sunshine in your home, even in the dead of night.