The Back to School Bash is in full swing. There are strings of silver and pale blue balloons the length of a basketball court and streamers jam-packed in the main event hall. The stage is glowing with twinkle lights. Booths line the walls for clubs, food, trips, and classes for the semester.

There is a hum of people talking, making an echo chamber of white noise all around the room.

It doesn’t bother me though.

I don’t hear any of them.

I only hear the beat of ...