Lovestruck || borusara

X.

Despite having a fair amount of female staff writers, the Athletics Illustrated office was rather masculine. Sporty by default. Decorated in shades of grey and navy with framed covers of the magazine and press clippings from significant moments in sports history.

The Metropolitan office, on the other hand, was quite the opposite.

From the glossy white marble floors to the brushed gold details, everything about the space felt posh. And everyone who worked there fit right in with the environment with their perfect hair and polished nails and uncomfortably high-looking heels on.

Sarada tugged awkwardly at the sleeves of her sweater, wondering just how out of place she looked standing in front of their reception desk.

Thankfully, she wasn't left waiting long. A beaming ChoCho sauntered over to greet her in a short but sophisticated dress with a sassy, structured blazer over it. Amber eyes looked her best friend up and down and her excited expression shifted to mild horror. "Tell me you're changing."

Sarada glanced down at her own outfit with a furrow in her brow. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing? I thought this was a work party?"

"Well..." she hesitated, seemingly searching for a gentle way to phrase her thoughts. "I mean, there's nothing particularly wrong with it. But there's really nothing particularly right either."

Sarada grimaced at her best friend's brutal honesty. But a moment later ChoCho's face brightened like she had a genius idea. "But you're in luck because your ass is just skinny enough to fit into some of the samples we have in the back closet! Follow me!"

ChoCho grabbed her by the hand and excitedly dragged her through the Metropolitan office toward the closet where the magazine stored various designer clothes and accessories for the many photoshoots they did. Glancing around at everyone else's outfits as they spruced up their makeup in their little compact mirrors, Sarada realized she probably would be more comfortable at the party if she dressed more to their standards.

She stood there with a nervous smile as ChoCho sifted through the many racks of clothes. At first, Sarada had been reluctant to go to the party, but she told herself it would be a worthy distraction.

She was still awkwardly avoiding Boruto since the other night in her apartment.

He had been really sweet about the whole thing, but she was still so embarrassed at the way she overshared about all her parental baggage. Sarada told herself she needed to maintain her boundaries and keep their relationship professional, but it seemed his constant blurring of those lines was starting to influence not just her thoughts, but her behavior as well.

"Ah-ha! This is perfect for you!" ChoCho declared as she whipped out a saucy, little black dress. She threw the dress, hanger, and all in Sarada's direction. "Now for the shoes!"

"Are you sure it's okay for me to borrow this?" she asked as she held the garment against her body. It really was a gorgeous dress.

"Yeah, it's fine as long as we return it!" ChoCho assured her. "Just don't spill anything on it! That dress is worth more than my paycheck!"

Sarada let out a nervous laugh.

*****

Sarada and ChoCho emerged from the elevator into the massive penthouse loft. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city lights. The DJ in the corner was blasting some hip, electronic music as the background noise for the partygoers' lively conversations.

The lighting was dim, making the loft feel somewhat intimate despite being packed with journalists from Metropolitan, designers, models, photographers, even influencers, sipping on classy cocktails.