Love's Dangerous Game

Chapter III - Playing with fire

I never heard something so insane in my life. Me without my hoodie and baggy clothes? What did Lucy thinks when asking me that? Maybe that's why he doesn't notice me. Who am I fooling? I don't look like a model. Sure, I might have the face, but this body? Definitely not. I mean, I'm not that bad, but still.

Lucy was already deep into my wardrobe, tossing clothes behind her like some crazed treasure hunter. Her frustration was obvious, her groans louder with every hoodie she found. "Seriously, K? Is there anything feminine in here? Oh, look, another hoodie! Wait, another one! Seriously?"

"What?" I muttered defensively, feeling a little exposed. "I just like baggy clothes; they make me comfortable."

Lucy scoffed, rolling her eyes like she couldn't even believe me. "You must have more than your brother now. You know what everyone's going to think with these outfits."

I crossed my arms, not sure if I wanted to laugh or strangle her. "Now you're just being mean!"

It was ridiculous. Me, into girls? That wasn't happening. Not once, even if a few girls had tried to kiss me before. No sparks. Na-ah. Not my thing.

Lucy's digging through my wardrobe seemed endless until, finally, she pulled something out with a victorious flourish. "Found it! This is what we need."

I squinted at what she held up. "Really? The skirt we wore back in the first semester? You think that still fits me?"

"It will fit you," Lucy said with absolute conviction. "You won't know unless you try."

She held up the skirt like it was some kind of prized relic. How did she even find that thing? I'd hidden it in the darkest corner, hoping it would stay forgotten. I hated the way people stared when I wore it, but wait. That's it. People stared when I wore it. And maybe, just maybe, he would too.

"Oh my God!" The realization hit me, and my sudden outburst nearly made her drop the skirt.

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "You act like you've discovered something revolutionary."

I grinned. "Do you remember how people stared at us when we wore this skirt? Exactly."

Lucy's smile turned smug. "That's why I was looking for it, duh. You're so slow, K."

This girl had been scheming the entire time. Oh, she knew this would be the winning outfit. To be fair, it wasn't like I had many options. Maybe two dresses and this skirt, while everything else was oversized gear I'd practically stolen from my brother.

"Oh, hell no!" I backed away, waving my hands dramatically. "I'm not wearing that thing even if it's my last day on Earth."

But Lucy wasn't having it. "Come on, you'll look like a goddess. Trust me. And you want to look good, don't you?"

"Not in that shirt," I protested, eyeing the top she held up. It was too much, even for me.

"Then why is it in your closet?" She smirked, knowing she had me cornered.

I sighed, glaring at the low-cut blue shirt she waved around like a victory flag. It was true—it would look good. But confidence? That was the missing piece of the puzzle. Confidence pulled off sexy clothes, and I wasn't even close to having it.

"Fine, fine. I'll wear it. But just this once, okay? Never again."

Lucy grinned like the cat who caught the canary. "We'll see."

Before I knew it, I was staring at myself in the mirror, looking like some kind of twisted version of Little Red Riding Hood. Except, you know, I was in blue. I sighed. At least my sneakers were white. I had to admit, though—it wasn't that bad. The real test would be stepping outside.