Heather stood in front of the mirror in Sarah's room, fidgeting with the hem of her flannel shirt. She wasn't sure about her outfit—a bikini top under a loose flannel, paired with denim shorts. It felt like a compromise between wanting to fit in at the party and not wanting to reveal too much. But as she examined her reflection, doubt crept in, making her feel more insecure with each passing second.
Sarah, who was getting ready beside her, noticed Heather's hesitation. "What's wrong?" she asked, glancing over as she applied her makeup.
Heather sighed, tugging at her flannel again. "I don't know... I'm just not sure about this outfit. I feel like it's too much and not enough at the same time, you know? Plus, I'm still in a funk. I don't even know if I should go to this party."
Sarah paused, turning to face her friend. "Heather, you look great. Seriously. The outfit is perfect for the party—it's laid-back but still cute. And trust me, you'll feel better once you're there. You need to get out of this funk, and hanging out with everyone will help."
Heather bit her lip, still unsure. "I don't know, Sarah. I just... I've got a lot on my mind, and I'm not sure I can just switch it off and have fun."
Sarah's expression softened as she stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Heather's shoulder. "I get it, I really do. But sometimes, the best way to clear your head is to just let loose for a bit. You've been overthinking everything—Rafe, the Kooks, everything. Tonight is about you having a good time, not worrying about all that."
Heather nodded slowly, but the hesitation remained in her eyes. Sensing this, Sarah's face lit up with an idea. "Okay, I've got something that might help." She walked over to her dresser and pulled out a small bottle of tequila, holding it up with a grin. "How about a few pregame shots to loosen you up?"
Heather couldn't help but laugh at Sarah's enthusiasm. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Absolutely," Sarah replied, already grabbing two shot glasses. "It'll take the edge off and get you in the mood to have fun. Come on, just one or two, and I promise you'll feel better."
Heather hesitated for only a moment longer before nodding. "Alright, fine. But just a couple."
Sarah poured the shots, handing one to Heather with a playful smile. "To a night of fun and forgetting all the stress."
"To fun and forgetting," Heather echoed, clinking her glass against Sarah's before downing the shot. The burn of the tequila was sharp, but it brought a warmth that spread through her chest, making her feel a little lighter.
Sarah poured another round, and they took the second shot together, this time with Heather feeling a bit more relaxed. She could already feel her tension starting to melt away, the weight of her worries easing just enough to make the idea of the party seem more appealing.
"See?" Sarah said with a wink, setting down the shot glasses. "You're already loosening up. Now, let's finish getting ready, and we'll head over to Topper's. You're going to have a great time, I promise."
Heather smiled, the corners of her mouth lifting more easily now. "Thanks, Sarah. I needed this."
Sarah grinned back, giving Heather's arm a supportive squeeze. "That's what friends are for. Now, let's get out there and show everyone how it's done."
With a final check in the mirror, Heather felt a surge of confidence. The shots had done their job, but more than that, Sarah's pep talk had reminded her that she wasn't alone in this. She had her friends, and tonight was about enjoying their company. Maybe, just maybe, she could let go for a while and have some fun.
YOU ARE READING
The Lines We've Crossed
Fanfiction"You're not so little anymore," Rafe told Heather as he stood beside her in the kitchen. "Is that why you keep looking at me like that?" Heather asked her brother's best friend, who only ever viewed her as his best friend's younger sister and nothi...
