“Good choice,” Siya says, offering me a small smile. It is certainly the least revealing of the options Soph has presented, but it still feels very daring compared to my usual style. Soph grins, noticing the way I’m looking at the dress. “I see that little sparkle in your eye, Anya. You know you like it.”
I bite my lip as my mind drifts to Daniel. He was right; I should be more adventurous, and the thought of him seeing me in this dress makes me feel a little flustered.
Soph chuckles, noticing the change in my expression. “Ah-ha! I knew it! You’re starting to like the idea.”
I can’t deny it; her words have sparked something in me. It’s the thought of being more fun, I guess. I don’t care. All I know is I am trying to step out of my comfort zone, and it’s just a stupid party. So, I just nod slowly.
"But if I have a wardrobe malfunction, I'm suing you" I warn her.
She rolls her eyes and says, "Please, you’ll be the hottest lawsuit in history!" She winks at me.
She takes the dress from the rack and holds it up against me, inspecting the fit. “You’re going to look smokin’ in this,” she says with a smirk. “Guys will be lining up for you.”
My cheeks heat up at her words. I’m not used to this kind of attention, and the idea of guys lining up for me is more terrifying than exciting.
“I don’t know,” I protest weakly. “I don’t want to draw that much attention. I just want to blend in and maybe have some fun.”
Soph chuckles, clearly amused by my hesitation. “You can blend in and still look hot,” Siya assures me.
“You’re going to look incredible. Just trust me,” Soph adds. I change into the dress, and Soph forces me onto the bed. “Now, stay quiet and let us do our work.” Soph startsworking on my makeup while Siya does my hair.
I sit there obediently, letting Soph and Siya work their magic on me. Soph applies some light makeup. I’m still feeling a little nervous about the whole thing, but I have to admit, it does feel kind of nice to be pampered. Siya finishes styling my hair into loose waves that cascade down my shoulders, adding to the overall look. I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror again, feeling a surge of surprise at the transformation. Soph hands me a pair of earrings, and I put them on, completing the look.
“There,” Soph says with a satisfied grin. “Now you’re ready to conquer the party.”
I can’t help but smile back at her infectious enthusiasm. “Thanks, Soph,” I say sincerely, feeling genuinely grateful for her efforts.
Siya gives me a warm side hug. “You look amazing, Anya,” she says softly.
After some final adjustments, we gather our things. As I reach for my purse, my eyes unintentionally catch my reflection in the mirror by the door. I pause for a second, barely recognizing the girl staring back at me. The dress fits perfectly, hugging me in all the right places, and the subtle makeup highlights my features just enough. I brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear and look away quickly, feeling a little self-conscious. “Take care, and if you need something, call me,” I say, slinging my bag over my shoulder and following Sophie out.
Siya smiles. “I will be fine.” I nod slowly, a little hesitant. “You guys enjoy, okay?!” she says as we close the door behind her. I exhale, letting go of the worry I feel bubbling in my chest.
As we walk toward the fraternity house where the party is being held, I try to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. This isn’t something I do every day, but tonight feels different. Maybe it’s the excitement in the air. My mindwanders back to Daniel. Am I agreeing to do this because I want to see him? I don’t think so. I mean, why would I be thinking about him at all, right? He is just a classmate, my project partner, and a very annoyingly good-looking guy.
As we approach the fraternity house, the thumping music and bright lights spill out into the night air. The party is already in full swing, a crowd of students gathered outside, laughing and chatting loudly.
Soph grabs my hand and pulls me closer to her, sensing my nervousness. “Don’t worry, you’ve got this,” she reassures me. “Just have fun and enjoy yourself.”
Yes. Just have fun and enjoy yourself!
∞∞∞
6
DANIEL
“Hey, Dan,” Bethany says, walking up to me.
“Hi, Bethany.” I smirk down at her as she sidles up to me. She flashes me a sultry smile, pulling me onto the dance floor.
“Let’s dance.” She calls over the booming music.
“Bethany,” I groan.
“Come on, loosen up a little. We can have fun later.” She cocks a brow at me, emphasizingfun.
“Fine.” I let her guide me through the dance floor, pulling me into the fray of the crowd. The music is loud and chaotic, couples pressing into each other on the dance floor. Multicolored lights flash and swirl, casting a kaleidoscope of hues across the packed room. The air is thick with the mingling scents of perfume, cologne, and spilled drinks, creating a cocktail of aromas that screams indulgence. The dance floor is alive with movement, bodies swaying and grinding together in perfect sync with the pounding bass.
