HIDDEN REFLECTIONS

FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

❝I'm not sure about this,❞ I mumble, looking at Pansy through the mirror.

She sighs, ❝C'mon, it looks great on you.❞

As I lock eyes with my reflection, I contemplate Pansy's persistent suggestion of wearing the dress for the upcoming party. It's not that the dress does not suit me or fails to flatter my figure; my reluctance stems from the notion of appearing overdressed at the party.

The dress is not anything special. Crafted from smooth satin, its ebony hue clings to my curves, emphasizing my silhouette. Shielding me from the chilly air, the long sleeves provide a comforting embrace for my arms. The alluring back reveals a subtle hint of exposed skin. Its hemline rests midway between my waist and knees, giving it a casual and relaxed touch.

❝I just feel a bit overdressed, I guess,❞ I share with her, my voice tinged with a hint of self-doubt.

Pansy snickers at my words, her amusement evident in her voice. ❝Overdressed? Have you seen my outfit?❞ She asks, a playful hint in her tone. Her confidence shines through as she continues, ❝If anything, you'll feel underdressed and uncomfortable if you show up in casual clothing.❞

I take a second to ponder, briefly looking myself up and down. After a moment of reflecting, I come to the conclusion to just go with the dress. It's whatever and no one will pay attention to it either way.

Pansy lets out a sound of excitement before appearing at my side, her arm interlocking with mine. I glance over at her, noticing the similarities and differences between our dresses. Both of them are black. However, Pansy's dress is sleeveless and more form-fitting, accentuating her figure perfectly.

❝Let's get going though, my phone has been blowing up with questions about where we are,❞ she tells me, and there is an urgency in Pansy's voice as she mentions the barrage of messages she has received from her friends.

As we begin walking toward the common room, I feel a wave of anxiety washing over me. Doubts start creeping into my mind again, and I question what I have gotten myself into.

I try to remind myself that I can slip away from the party whenever I feel like it, reassuring myself that I am not obligated to stay if I don't want to. In an attempt to calm my nerves further, I remind myself that people will be too engrossed in their own activities, such as drinking beer or taking acid. I realize that amidst that form of chaos, people will not even notice who is present and who isn't.

It's dark in the common room when we arrive, and I immediately notice the transformed atmosphere. The lights have been dimmed, casting a moody glow over the large space. The familiar layout of the room appears slightly altered, with tables strewn with bottles and green plastic cups, evidence of the party that is taking place. The air is pulsating with loud music, reverberating through the room, as people jump around and dance.

Taking in the scene before me, I can't help but feel like I've stepped into a typical party scene from teenage movies. The ambiance is filled with a sense of excitement, with everyone fully immersed in the moment. It's both thrilling and slightly overwhelming.

I glance at Pansy, who seems to be embracing the energy of the room. The smile on her face tells me she feels at home, despite the messy scene before us.