What goes down in the science lab

Chapter 7 ~ The party

"For the last time, this dress is perfect!" Gorou was yelling at Zhongli again. Gorou was in a teal crop hoodie with a crop black turtleneck inside. The hoodie had a shiba inu on it as well as golden yellow strings. The bottom half consisted of black gym shorts and black sneakers with calf high white socks. Noelle, not too far away, was wearing a thin strap rose pink dress on top of a white turtleneck with a small hole above her breasts, white heels resting on her feet. The hem of the dress was just above the knees and unevenly cut. Albedo once again was reading the thick novel he borrowed from the library. Clothes chosen by Ningguang and Venti, he was wrapped comfortably in a white button up with the collar slightly undone. He had hung the dark blue jacket he ought to bring over his shoulders. Adjusting his belt that secured his slightly baggy black jeans, Albedo checked he had everything he needed to bring, black dress shoes included. Today he decided to ditch the glasses and the nerdy look altogether. Those who saw him now would be lucky. Hearing more complaints from his other 3 noisy dorm mates, Albedo turned to the commotion. He didn't mind watching them fight, it was good entertainment. He had always been the observer and several times, it saved people.

"Are you really sure about this?" Zhongli shifted nervously.

"Yes!" Gorou, Noelle and, to his own surprise, Albedo replied. But he still didn't seem convinced. I mean, he looks like the definition of perfect tonight. Long dark brown hair tied in a high ponytail cascading down his shoulders that eventually stopped at his waist, eyes accentuated with his usual red eyeliner, long slender gloved fingers twirling the black lace fan he held and toying with the multiple chains and rings on them, Albedo would have loved to paint him right now. The dress was long and black with a leg slit, revealing one of his tighs encased in a stocking, black heel peeking from below and stopping at the ankle. The skirt was long and flowy with orange flowers at the bottom. The bodice tightly wrapped around his body, defining almost every curve in his stature, loose sleeves reaching his elbows with more flowers on them. The collar of the dress was v-shaped and it stopped right above his chest, 2 gold chains connecting the 2 shoulders. And to top it all off in contrast, he wore the glaze lily hair ornament in place of his usual cor lapis one to seciure his hair.

"I seriously don't understand how you can think that you look hideous in this." Albedo grabbed one of his hands and dragged him out of the door, the other 2 following. The journey was rather silent, with them giving Zhongli some time to focus his thoughts. As the house neared, well it was more like an estate with 3 floors and a swimming pool with Venti inheriting it from his parents, Zhongli hesitated at the gate. The rest stopped with him and waited for his confimation.

"I want to do this. I can do this." Albedo heard Zhongli mutter before advancing. The rest followed and opened the doors. It seemed that they were in the middle of something as when they entered, people stopped talking and all turned to look at them. Noelle and Gorou seemed fine but Albedo and Zhongli were both a nervous wreck. Slowly, they advanced, hoping the staring would stop but it didn't. It continued all the way until Venti interrupted them.

"Hey, hey, hey! This is a party not a staring competition!"

"Thanks Barbatos." Zhongli bowed slightly.

"No need. Besides, I saw a certain ginger staing at you the entire time~" Venti pointed at Childe, who just looked away, obviously flustered that someone noticed. Zhongli raised his fan and snapped it open to conceal the growing blush on his face.

"Zhongli?! I thought you were a girl?!" Beidou walked up to them, Ningguang and some white blonde boy behind them.

"I must admit, you are quite the find. Kaedahara Kazuha, pleased to meet you." The white blonde introduced himself and extended a hand. Zhongli chuckled nervously before taking the hand.