𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐬 || ¹

11.

୨⎯Hers⎯୧

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IRL 彡♡

Inara stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing the hem of her navy blue dress for the third time. The fabric shimmered under the soft bedroom light, catching hints of gold in the delicate patterns woven into the skirt. She took a deep breath and glanced over at Sophia and Scarlett, both lounging on her bed with the casual ease she wished she could muster.

Sophia was scrolling through her phone, occasionally pausing to show Scarlett something funny. The two of them laughed, and for a moment, it was just like old times. But tonight was different. Tonight, they were going to Ava's party at Charlotte's apartment, and Inara couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen.

"Ready, Inara?" Sophia asked, looking up from her phone with a teasing smile. She was dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit that hugged her figure perfectly, her long dark hair cascading down her back in loose waves. Next to her, Scarlett was adjusting the straps on her silver heels, her signature red lipstick already perfectly applied.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Inara replied, forcing a smile. She grabbed her purse from the dresser and joined them, heart pounding a little harder than she'd like to admit. There was no reason to be this nervous. It was just a party.

But as the three of them made their way down the hall and into the elevator, Inara couldn't stop her mind from racing. Tonight, she would finally meet Ava face to face. Up until now,  Ava had been a name, a presence in the background of so many conversations. They had never crossed paths directly, despite running in similar circles.  And then, of course, there was Adam and Ava.

Inara's chest tightened at the thought. She hadn't seen them together in real life yet, not outside of social media and whispered rumors. But tonight, that would change. She could feel it in her bones.

The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped into the grand lobby of Charlotte's apartment building. It was modern and sleek, with marble floors and high ceilings. The doorman gave them a polite nod as they made their way to the penthouse.

Charlotte's apartment was everything Inara had expected— luxurious, expensive,
and filled with people. The soft hum of conversation mixed with the low thrum of music as they stepped inside.  Ava's parties were known for being exclusive and extravagant, and this one was no different.

They moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and greetings with familiar faces. Sophia and Scarlett drifted off to find drinks, leaving Inara to navigate the sea of people alone for a moment. She was just about to head to the balcony for some fresh air when she spotted them. Adam and Ava.

They were standing together near the grand piano,  Ava's arm casually draped around Adam's waist as they talked to another couple. They looked good together, too good. Ava's  blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and she was laughing at something Adam had said, her eyes sparkling with that effortless charm that made her so..
magnetic.  And Adam...he looked happy. Genuinely happy.

Inara's breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, her heart aching in a way she hadn't fully anticipated. She had known this moment would come, had tried to prepare herself for it, but nothing could have braced her for the sight of them together like this. It was real now.

She forced herself to keep moving, her steps quick and deliberate as she made her way to the bar. She couldn't fall apart here, not now. She would bottle it up, tuck it away in the corner of her heart where no one could see it. That's what she had always done, wasn't it?