Alone ✧ KATE BISHOP

6 - The Party

"OH MY GOD, GIRL WOULD YOU QUIT FUSSIN'?" CLEO SAID TO JASPER IN EXASPERATION. "For fuck's sake, Jasper, you look fine." 

Jasper exhaled loudly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Are you sure? I mean, this isn't exactly what you would wear to a party like this-" 

"Who the fuck cares?" Cleo snapped, cutting her off. "And besides, you wear whatever the hell you want to these things anyway. Don't you remember that one year Markus took you to one of his parties and you refused to wear a dress, so you wore a bedazzled blazer, crop top, and shorts instead?" 

Jasper looked away, smiling bashfully. "Yeah, I remember." 

Cleo nodded. "Then you should be fine. You look amazing and you're comfortable. That's what matters." 

Jasper smiled even wider. It was true, she was comfortable in her outfit. It was a bright blue velvet blazer with a plunging neckline, dark blue jeans, and shiny black heels. Her hair had been straightened and slicked back, and she had on dark red lipstick with pale pink eyeshadow. She now wore both necklaces: the one Andi gave her, and the new mysterious one she'd gotten earlier, and she had golden bangle bracelets on her wrists. Jasper had picked the outfit herself, and despite her initial hesitations, she had to admit, she did like it. 

"Thanks, Cleo," Jasper said to her sister. 

Cleo smiled, then reached over and opened the door. "Now, go on. Go have fun." 

Jasper gave her sister a smile before getting out of the car, then walked towards the front of the building that served as the venue for the party. And Kate was already there, wearing a black tuxedo and with her hair pulled back away from her face. Jasper grinned, waving at Kate before approaching her. 

Kate's eyes went wide when she saw Jasper. "Holy..." Kate shook her head. "Damn, Jasper. You... you look incredible." 

Jasper's cheeks warmed slightly as she looked down. "Thanks." She looked up at her friend. "But are you sure I'm wearing something appropriate?" 

Kate grinned. "Probably not. But I am wearing a tux, so..." 

Jasper smiled back. "Good point." 

The two friends then walked towards the entrance, heading through the main plaza in front of the building. There was a red carpet wrapping around a huge Christmas tree in the center, with four different pathways leading to different doors. The archways of the windows were topped with Christmas lights. Four regular trees sprinkled with Christmas lights marked the four corners of the red carpet, and the whole area was closed off by a sturdy stone fence. 

Once they were inside, the atmosphere changed. The lights were low, dimly lit but still providing enough light to see. Everything was white - the tablecloths, the lighting, the drapes, and the rest of the decorations. There were people scattered around, holding glasses of champagne or other drinks and talking amongst themselves. It was nice, but definitely not the environment Jasper was used to. 

As soon as Jasper and Kate walked in, all eyes immediately went to them. More specifically, they went to Jasper. She knew exactly why - her outfit was pretty scandalous compared to the clothing of the other people around her. Self consciously Jasper tried to close her blazer, only for Kate to put her hand on Jasper's arm. 

"Relax," Kate whispered. "Who cares what they think? I think you look great." 

Jasper smiled gratefully, then began following Kate around the party. She received a couple more condescending stares, but this time she ignored them. She had to listen to her sister and her friend and not care what anyone thought.