𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙑𝘼𝙄𝙇

prologue.

   ━ ATHENA DOXON PEERED INTO THE GLASS BOX; studying her own reflection, as she waited for the vending machine to drop her selected chocolate bar down into the takeout port.
Boredom struck as she twirled a strand of her jet black hair around her fingertips, fond with the way the silky locks felt against her fingerprints.
The girl's icy blue eyes watched as the spiral coil began to move; pushing the bar of chocolate close to the edge. Except it didn't fall, remaining still on the chamber.

   Delicately she placed her hand against the cold glass, letting out a huff as she turned her five fingers into a fist. Banging against the reflection of herself timidly, unwilling to walk away this soon. The soft echo of her fist banging against the vending machine traveled throughout the first floor hallway. Turning heads of the residents who walked by the pale girl and broken vending machine.

   Banging on a dishonored vending machine wasn't the most ideal way to celebrate her twentieth year of life, but there she remained. According to her family, Athena was the background noise playing in a silent film. Never wanting to be the center of attention, but somehow everyone's focus would always glide onto her.

   Like she was the actress captivating the screen.

   For the longest time she preferred to go unnoticed, hiding behind the shadows of those far superior than her. It wasn't because she enjoyed isolation, she just feared the perception of others. Terrified of what'd they'd think the second she'd open her mouth; always worrying that she'd forget to say the right things.

   But she always stuck out - with her natural bloodless complexion that always flashed due to her long charcoal locks that shaped her sharp, yet alluring features. According to a majority she was a sight hard to look away from.
Once the girl realized she couldn't hide herself behind the void of others, she suddenly stopped concealing. Allowing those intrigued with her presence to take a look at her, despite if they liked her timid individuality or not.

   "Let me guess it ate your dollar?" A feminine voice questioned causing Athena to stop her pretentious banging, and face the woman behind her.
   "Uh, yeah it was my last one." She answered shyly. Despite the unimportant situation she was in, Athena portrayed the fact that she wasn't too upset about it. "I see!" The dirty blonde woman began resting her hand on her hip, scanning the machine from top to bottom. "It's always the last dollar" she mused, keeping her fixation glued to the tenth row where Athena's chocolate remained.

   Instead of focusing on all the snack choices any longer Athena, turned her focus on the woman next to her. Who had taken sudden accountability for her first world problem. Her medium wavy length blonde mixed hair hung down to her shoulders, working well alongside her peach pigment skin tone.

   By the looks of all the woman's features she seemed to be in her late twenties to early thirties. Giving Athena the impression that the woman had a good head on her shoulders, due to her being generous enough to help the young girl with something as simple as getting chocolate out of a broken vending machine.