Unexpected love

Its her birthday

It had been a couple of weeks since I last saw Fahad. We still talked occasionally, sharing a few texts or a quick call here and there, but I was still sorting through my feelings. I couldn't help but feel like every conversation felt a little heavier, a little more fragile. It was hard to stay casual when my emotions felt anything but.

Tonight, though, I couldn't focus on that. I was getting ready for Gemma's birthday party, and she'd gone all out with her dress code demands. Everyone had to wear green—specifically a dress for the girls, of course. I'd found a sage green corset dress that hugged my curves and hit mid-thigh, but now that I was wearing it, I kept second-guessing everything. It was a beautiful dress, no doubt. The sage color was soft, with a silky sheen that caught the light just right. The corset bodice gave me a nice shape, and the fabric skimmed my body with just the right amount of structure. But my gaze drifted down, and I frowned at my legs, feeling a wave of self-consciousness wash over me.

"Are my legs too... much?" I mumbled to myself, smoothing out the fabric and wondering if I had enough time to change. But the clock was against me, and I sighed, giving myself one last look in the mirror. My hair was sleek and straight, parted down the middle, the dark strands framing my face with a polished, sophisticated vibe that balanced out the softness of the dress. I had straightened my natural curls for the night, which felt strange, but also kind of exciting.

Just as I was adjusting a strap on my dress, my little brother burst into my room, holding up one finger like he was about to make the grandest announcement of the year. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took in my outfit.

"Journee," he said, his voice dropping into an exaggerated tone of admiration. "You look... beautiful." His hands went to his heart as he swooned dramatically, making me laugh.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Oh, stop it."

"I'm serious!" he insisted, his expression suddenly earnest. "You look like one of those actresses in a magazine. Like, fancy, you know? That color on you is..." He paused, searching for the right word, "...fire."

I grinned, feeling my cheeks warm at his compliment. "Thanks, little man. You're pretty smooth, you know that?"

He shrugged, grinning proudly. "Just telling the truth."

I took a deep breath, feeling a bit better. If my little brother thought I looked good, maybe I wasn't totally off base. With one last check in the mirror, I grabbed my small clutch and turned to him. "Alright, time for me to go. Don't get into too much trouble while I'm out, okay?"

He gave me a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am! Don't worry about me, I'll just be here, chilling with my video games."

"Good plan," I laughed, ruffling his hair before heading out.

As I closed the door behind me, I felt a little flutter of excitement in my chest. Tonight, maybe I could put all my tangled feelings about Fahad on pause. Maybe I could just enjoy the night, the party, and whatever was waiting for me.

I finally arrived at Gemma's 22nd and with it came a whirlwind of excitement that was both thrilling and overwhelming. She'd planned a huge bash for the evening, and the moment I stepped into the vibrant restaurant she had chosen, I felt the energy pulsating through the air. The place was decked out with colorful balloons, shimmering streamers, and a massive "Happy Birthday, Gemma!" banner hanging above the bar.

"Journee!" Gemma squealed, spotting me as I made my way through the crowd. She bounded over in her sequined white dress, a brilliant smile on her face. "You made it! I was afraid you'd get lost in the sea of fabulousness!"

"Never! I just needed to find my way through your personal red carpet," I teased, giving her a quick hug. "This place looks amazing!"

Gemma beamed. "Isn't it? I wanted everything to be perfect, and I think it really is!"