Ｓｅｒｅｎｄｉｐｉｔｙ

TWO

𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓪

I’m knee-deep in clothes, throwing options around like a madwoman. My bed’s a mess of skirts, tops, and a few dresses that are probably too tame for a party like this. I sigh, frustrated, and grab my phone to call Celi. There’s no way I’m going to this thing alone, and besides, Celi’s the kind of person who can turn any party into a night to remember.

She picks up on the first ring. “Hey, Dani! What’s up?”

“Are you busy? I need backup tonight. There’s this party my roommate’s dragging me to, and I’d feel way better if you were there. Plus, you know it’ll be a thousand times better with you around.”

“Say no more. I’m in,” she says, and I can already hear the grin in her voice. “Give me twenty, and I’ll be at your dorm.”

I feel a wave of relief, and we say our goodbyes just as Lila walks back into the room, clutching a shopping bag. She looks at me, her eyes twinkling. “Having a wardrobe crisis?” she asks, smirking.

“Pretty much,” I admit, gesturing at the heap of clothes. “Nothing seems right for tonight.”

Lila doesn’t waste a second. She digs into her bag and pulls out a dress—a tight, slinky little thing that’s practically a second skin. It’s black, strapless, and cut so high that I’m pretty sure if she bends over, we’re all in for a show. She slips into it effortlessly, then spins around to give me the full 360.

“So, what do you think?” she asks, her eyebrows raised as she poses in front of the mirror.

I blink, taken aback. "Well, it’s... uh, bold," I manage, not sure what else to say. I’ve worn revealing dresses before, but this? This is a whole different level. Her ass is barely contained, the hem skimming just under her cheeks. It’s the kind of dress that screams, Look, but don’t touch. And damn, does she know how to wear it.

Lila laughs, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Too much?”

I snort. “Depends on what you’re going for. If you’re looking to make an impression, then you’ve definitely got it down.”

She grins, striking another pose. “That’s exactly what I’m going for. You’re up next, Dani. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

I glance back at my clothes, now feeling like they’re all ridiculously modest compared to what Lila’s got going on. But there’s no way I’m letting her outdo me. I dig through my pile, determined to find something that’ll hold its own. I may not be as bold as Lila, but I can hold my ground. Tonight’s going to be one for the books, and I’m going in ready to make a statement of my own.

I start pulling pieces from my pile, holding each one up against me, hoping for some inspiration. First, I try a black mini skirt paired with a sparkly silver top, but Lila immediately makes a face.

“Too basic,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “You’re going to blend right in with everyone else in that.”

I roll my eyes but toss it aside, diving back into the mess of clothes. Next, I grab a deep red dress with a plunging neckline. It’s shorter than most of my stuff, but hey, if Lila can go that bold, maybe I can, too. I hold it up, turning so she can see the front.

“That’s better,” she says, giving me an approving nod. “But it’s not quite there yet. You’ve got killer legs—why not show them off?”

I bite my lip, digging back through my options. A tight leather skirt catches my eye, so I hold it up next to a black lace crop top. Lila’s eyes light up, and she lets out a low whistle. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Sexy, but not trying too hard. You’re going to turn heads with that.”