“I think I just met the happiest person in the world!” They said as they walked away from her.

She tried not to laugh as though she was crying for help. She never would’ve thought her smiling mask could be so deceitful, that it could dissuade people from her true self so completely. It was a lifelong masquerade ball, constantly dancing around conflict, hiding her face from prying eyes. Her gown of dried tears did nothing to distract from her welcoming grin. It drew you near and pushed your empathy away.

Don’t ask how she was, she really would hate to lie. Don’t look concerned, she didn’t need pity from someone better than her.

After all, she was the happiest person in the world.

Who would want to squander such joy?