“This is nice, right?” Laurel has been persistently questioning me since we stepped onto the school grounds, seeming overly anxious about me. I think it would be better if she stopped being so concerned about me at this moment.
The place is clearly packed with people with a diverse range of attire among the crowd, all those eye catching vivid dresses. Drinks being served everywhere and lights that are strikingly bright and unfamiliar to me. The noise from the music is so deafening it disrupts my thoughts. I'm not suggesting everything is completely new to me, just a bit more than usual. Laurel might be able to convince me with this but she certainly can't make me wear that extremely tight and slim dress she insists.
“Seriously, I'm fine, Laurel.” She was doubtful at first about leaving me alone in a crowd, fearing that I might become anxious and walk away. I gave her my word that I would stay and manage just fine.
A woman is performing on a piano while a small audience observes. There is something uniquely mesmerizing about the sound of a piano, especially when it is brought to life by a talented woman. Her touch on the keys transforms mere notes into a tapestry of feelings, creating an experience that resonates deeply within the listener. The way she leans into the performance, the gentle movement of her hands, and the focused expression on her face all contribute to a compelling experience that transcends mere auditory pleasure. There is a certain magic in watching and listening to a woman play the piano. The woman playing seemed somewhat familiar, I’m pretty sure I’ve come across her on the internet. As the program hasn’t started yet, more visitors are visiting the different booths. There are booths featuring snacks, jewelry, and clothing that align with tonight’s theme. I haven’t come across anyone with the same attire as mine. I’m even surprised that they allowed me in despite not blending in with the crowd. This is the second time a waitress has offered me a drink and both have scrutinized my outfit as if judging it. There’s not much for me to say, given that their clothing is almost identical to what the performers are wearing tonight.
Laurel and her group’s performance spanned nearly an hour. Following their performance, a man took the stage to sing a jazz song, furthering the relaxing mood of the night. Watching her dance live was even more impressive, I guess she was right about the hype she mentioned. It’s incredible to witness her achieve the dreams she once only discussed with me. “I’m really glad you stayed for this.” Laurel approached me right after she had changed into a new outfit.
“I know what you want me to say, you were amazing up there.” We both shared a laugh.
“Hey! Glad you could make it!” Laurel was interrupted by someone she knew but I kept my attention on the man performing. “This is my best friend, Cari. Cari, this is—”
“I think I recognize her.” I looked over at this guy and was startled to see him as the same person I’d encountered at the bookstore and who had followed me.
“Have you two met before?” Laurel’s expression was a mix of confusion and a smile directed at the both of us. Laurel was called away to the backstage which left us both stranded in the middle.
“I’m sure Cari would love to tell you the whole story later." Sam said, keeping his eyes fixed on me. The thought of seeing him again made me anxious, recalling how I had treated him previously. I awkwardly turned my attention back to the performer on stage wishing that the person beside me would give me some space. His formal attire for the evening is somewhat distracting, though it suits him well. “So, Cari, I’ve known Laurel for nearly a year and I haven’t seen you with her before.” He unexpectedly posed the question to me.
“I don’t spend much time with her outside.”
“You’re not new around or something?” I shook my head as an answer. While we stood watching the people on stage, he continued to ask me questions and I always answer with short replies. I really hope he forgets how poorly I looked before as that would give me an excuse to leave now.
As soon as Laurel returned, I told her it was time to head home and gave her excuses that I knew she's aware. I gave her the praise she was looking for about her performance, knowing she wouldn’t let me leave if I don't. I provided her with the validation she wanted, since she doesn’t usually receive such feedback from me. When I left, the music was just a faint whisper in the distance. It felt like a weight off my shoulders to breathe outside. I decided to walk back home because the university was not far. There was no one around except for the moderately busy street to my left, with vehicles moving back and forth. I could see couples on my right, walking slowly and embracing the warm atmosphere.
I had the first thought that this evening wasn’t as bad as I had expected it to be. Whenever there’s a social event around me, I always fear that something might go wrong. I came to understand that people didn't care about my appearance, even though there was a strict dress code.
I sensed someone trailing behind me, making me hesitate between looking back or fleeing. Normally, when you sense someone tailing you, you speed up, but right now I can’t understand why I’m frozen in place. I mustered the courage to glance over my shoulder and saw Sam standing behind me.
“Sorry, I didn't mean—”
“Okay, what is up with you?” I breathed a sigh of relief when realized it wasn’t a stranger following me, but then grew more frustrated to see that it was him again.
“I was just making sure you reached home safely because it's not recommended to walk alo—”
“Do you realize that this is the second time you’ve followed me?” He took a moment to consider his response, realizing I had a valid point.
“Well, yes. But once again I'm just making sure." I don’t know much about him besides his habit of following me, but there’s something about him that suggests he’s not just some random person. It’s odd that I feel like he’s been sent here for my sake, whatever that means. “You wanna talk about it now?” He suddenly asked and I knew precisely what he was referring to. He wants me to open up to him because he wasn’t satisfied with me just turning away from him before.
