Love in Overdrive

Seven

When Ivy and Mia finally stumbled through the door past midnight, the world outside was steeped in the quiet stillness of early morning. They barely exchanged words, fatigue clinging to them like a heavy blanket. The shift at work had dragged on endlessly, each hour stretching into the next, but the adrenaline from their earlier excitement had kept them moving. Now, however, that adrenaline had faded, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness.

As they kicked off their shoes and collapsed onto the couch, the weight of exhaustion crashed over them like a wave. Ivy leaned back, closing her eyes for just a moment—just to gather her thoughts. The next thing she knew, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the living room in warm hues of gold. Panic gripped her as she glanced at the clock on the wall; it was nearly a quarter to nine.

“Oh no!” she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. “Mia, we overslept!”

Mia groaned beside her, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?” she mumbled, clearly still half-asleep.

“It’s almost nine! We need to get moving; the gala is tonight!”

Mia blinked a few times, confusion washing over her face. “Wait, what? We said we’d be up early to prepare, didn’t we?”

“Exactly! And look at us—practically sleeping beauties.” Ivy grabbed her phone, glancing at articles circulating online buzzing with excitement about the gala. “We’re supposed to be getting glam right now, not snoozing!”

Mia chuckled, shaking her head as she finally sat up. “Well, I guess our beauty sleep has turned into beauty oversleep. C’mon, let’s do this. We can’t let a little sleep sabotage our night!”

With newfound urgency, they jumped into their morning routine, throwing together breakfast in a flurry of activity. The coffee brewed strong, filling the kitchen with its rich aroma, and they quickly downed bowls of cereal, exchanging sleepy smiles and laughter over inside jokes from their shifts.

“Remember when Mark tried to juggle the plates and ended up dropping three?” Ivy laughed, pouring milk into her bowl.

Mia snorted. “I still can’t believe he thought he could impress anyone with that. I thought he was going to start a food fight!”

After breakfast, Ivy led the way to her bedroom, where Mia had laid out the two dresses she had secretly purchased. The sight of the garments sent a fresh wave of excitement coursing through Ivy’s veins. Each dress was stunning, and Ivy felt a mix of joy and anxiety as she realized she’d have to choose just one to wear to the gala.

“Mia, these are beautiful!” Ivy exclaimed, holding the dresses up to admire them. “How am I supposed to choose between them?”

Mia, who had already slipped into her own outfit—a sleek black dress that hugged her curves—grinned at her reflection in the mirror. “That’s the point! You need to decide for yourself which one feels right. I want you to own this choice, Ivy.”

Ivy’s brow furrowed in thought. “But they’re both amazing! What if I pick the wrong one?”

“I’ll help you, but not in the way you think. I want you to really think about which one speaks to you, which one feels like ‘you,’” Mia replied, her tone gentle but firm. “I’m going to try on my outfit, and when I come back, you need to have made your decision.”

Ivy nodded, understanding Mia’s intentions. This was about empowerment, about embracing her individuality. With Mia busy in the other room, Ivy set the dresses side by side, contemplating each one.

After a few moments, she pulled the emerald green dress off the hanger and slipped it on. As she stood in front of the mirror, she twirled slightly, watching the fabric flow around her. The deep green seemed to enhance her complexion, making her feel regal. “I do look good in this,” she murmured to herself. But when she turned to the side, she caught a glimpse of the blush pink dress hanging nearby, its lace detailing catching the light.