The next morning, I wake up feeling a sense of anticipation I haven't felt in a long time. I spend the day relaxing and preparing for the evening, reminding myself to enjoy the experience and not stress too much about fitting in.
As the evening approaches, I start getting ready for the dance. The first step is a long, relaxing shower, letting the warm water wash away any lingering anxiety. After patting myself dry, I moisturize my skin until it feels soft and smooth to the touch.
Next, I move on to my hair. I blow dry it until it's almost completely dry, then style it. I decide on loose, waves that frame my face and give a soft touch to my look. Once I'm happy with my hair, I use some hairspray so it stays in place all night.
Now it's time for makeup. I want to keep it simple and go for a natural look. I start with a light foundation, followed by a hint of blush on my cheeks. For my eyes, I decide on a subtle smoky eye, using brown and gold to complement my dress. A couple of coats of mascara add the finishing touch to my eyes, making them pop. I complete the look with a swipe of my favorite lipstick.
Finally, it's time to put on the dress. The moment I slip into it, I feel a wave of confidence. The dress fits me perfectly and the color complements my skin tone. I add a pair of simple silver earrings and a matching necklace to complete the look.
With one last look in the mirror, I take a deep breath. I'm ready for the dance.
I text the group chat and tell them I'm leaving now. Hazel replies and says that Ana and her are driving right now, and Finn says he's about to leave.
I step out of the house and into the cool evening air. The drive to the school is short and before I know it, I'm pulling into the parking lot. I can already see groups of students making their way towards the gym, their excited chatter filling the air. Taking a deep breath, I get out of the car and begin the walk to the gym, ready for my first homecoming dance.
I walk into the gym and search for Ana and Hazel. It takes me a while, then eventually I see Hazel in her dark green dress and Ana in her lilac bedazzled one.
"Hey," I say, walking up behind them.
"Wow, you look stunning!" Ana exclaims, turning around to greet me. Hazel nods in agreement, her eyes widening as she takes in my outfit. "You're definitely going to turn some heads tonight," she adds with a wink.
We stand around and dance for a while. I'm actually having fun tonight. I never thought that I'd be the type of person to go to a school dance.
"BOO!" Finn yells from behind
"JESUS FINN!" I yell
He laughs, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "Sorry, couldn't resist. You look amazing, by the way." His compliment catches me off guard but I manage to give a small smile in return.
We continue to dance and laugh, the music pulsing around us. I find myself getting lost in the rhythm, my body moving with the beat. It's a strange feeling, being surrounded by so many people, yet feeling completely at ease. I'm surprised at how much fun I'm having, considering how skeptical I was about coming in the first place.
Finn, Hazel, Ana, and I form a small circle, dancing and joking around. Finn's humor keeps us all laughing and the girls' lively energy is infectious. For a moment, I forget about all my worries. I'm just a normal high school student at a homecoming dance, having the time of my life.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my reverie. I pull it out and see a text.
mom
hey honey
how are you?
I see it and my face drops. I know that I probably looked pale.
