The girl smiles and gives another thin laugh at one of her friends' jokes. It was a hallow echo, barren of any emotion. None of them seem to notice. "Guys, it's almost 9:00, I have to go." Her small group of friends say farewell to her, bright smiles in their faces. She fakes a grin and turns around to walk away. The dim flickering of the street lamps illuminate the puddles on the ground, casting shadows on the darkened buildings. She stops to look at her reflection in a puddle. No, she's not admiring it, she's criticizing it.
