Shy

Kit

The day of our birthday has finally arrived and Saskia has been running around like a nutter. Our parents left this morning, making us swear that we won't ruin the house and I can't quite say that we've kept our promise.

Saskia has adorned every surface with an irritating false spiders web that clings to everything and anything. Candles have been placed intermittently around the house, a 'spooky playlist' is playing lowly in the background. I could go on and on.

I watch her hang little floating bats from the ceiling, my eyes flicking from the bat to the precariously placed candle beneath it. This house has become a major fire hazard.

I've admittedly been hiding whilst she did most of the decorating as she had roped Clara into helping her. She left 15 minutes ago to get changed and I can't say that I'm thrilled that she'll be here this evening.

"You know..." I begin and Kia looks round sharply.

"It is far too late to cancel. And besides, this is our birthday, would you please loosen up?" Saskia moans, grinning when the bat stays in place. I frown and turn towards the kitchen.

I need a drink.

Saskia changed into her costume ages ago and I trudge upstairs to do the same. I'm torn between a werewolf and Danny from grease.

I decide the werewolf is safer as it has a full on mask, concealing eyes from any accidental soulmate reveals. I wriggle into it, cursing at how unflattering it is.

People have already started to arrive and I head down to greet them. I sneak up on Saskia and she jumps, nearly spilling what seems to be punch on her costume.

"Watch it, Kit! This is my ballet recital costume. I'm borrowing it." She whispers, winking at me.

I find Michael chatting to Caroline from college and steal him away, anxiously keeping an eye out for Clara.

"Oh, dude, you have to change." Michael says, laughing and I pull my mask up.

"Why?" I ask, peering down at myself.

"Jared from the football team is wearing the same thing and he is such a douche." Michael says, glancing over and I cringe. He's not wrong, Jared is a real dick head. Rude, big-headed and a pig towards the girls. He's fun at parties though.

"Fine." I agree and jog upstairs to find my alternative costume.

Black jeans, white t-shirt and a leather jacket is really very simple. It's essentially the make up of my everyday wardrobe. I nod at my appearance and get to work on my hair.

I squeeze a bit of hair gel onto my hand and run it through my hair, styling it into a rough quiff. I comb down the sides and pop a pair of sunglasses on, relatively impressed with my transformation. I don't look like me, not at all. I look cool, confident, pretty much everything I'm not.

It is, after all, a fancy dress party.

I head downstairs, smiling at the people who mistake Jared for me. I head over to Michael and he grins, nodding his head at the alternative costume. He himself is dressed in a Mario costume and is delighted when he spots a Luigi.

"Come and say hi." Michael says, handing me a drink and guiding me over to a group of his friends. I know all their names of course, but I wouldn't classify them as my friends.

Caroline makes a bee-line for me as soon as she spots me and leans into my side. A fleeting comment Michael made about her little crush on me comes to mind and I inwardly cringe.

"Kit! You look great, this is a good look on you." She says before hesitantly trailing a finger down my front. I step back lightly.

"Thanks, Caroline. You look lovely." I retort, not finding her costume of bunny ears and a fluffy tail original in the slightest.

She opens her mouth to say something but her words fall on deaf ears.

For on the other side of the room is Sandy. Not just any old Sandy, my Sandy.

Clara's hair is elegantly styled, her face beautifully soft. But what really makes me catch my breath is the fact that she's not dressed as the typical Sandy. She's not in tight leather trousers or platform shoes. She's chosen sweet Sandy-yellow skirt, white shirt and matching yellow cardigan Sandy and that makes my heart ache.

She's so sweet, so pure.

I can't fathom why Danny didn't adore Sandy when she looked like this but that was his mistake, not mine.

She makes her way over to my sister who screams in delight when she sees her. I make a mental note to monitor how much my sister drinks this evening. They embrace and Clara blushes over something Kia says.

Clara's eyes search the room, landing on the group of lads in the corner. I glance over and see Richard, Tom and Jared from college downing their beers and cheering obnoxiously. Caroline grabs my hand and I tear it away subconsciously.

I turn to look at her, her expression slightly hurt and I feel bad.

"I'm sorry, Caroline. I have to go and say hi to everyone." I say, fibbing just a little bit. She nods, looking away and turning to face Michael. I sigh and make another note to deal with that situation later.

I look back to where Clara was stood to find an empty space. I glance down at my drink and quickly knock it back, putting the cup down and endeavouring to find her before the end of the night.