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B| Parents' ball II

Highschool

THIRD PERSON

The evening had arrived, and Josephine stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her dress one last time. The delicate fabric shimmered in the soft light of her room, the color a deep blue that matched her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Tonight was the night of the parents' ball, the event she had almost forgotten, but now it was happening, and her brother, Vito, would be there with her.

She ran a hand over the fabric, feeling the smoothness of the dress against her skin. It was beautiful, but also something that brought back a rush of emotions she hadn't expected. For as long as she could remember, she had never worn anything like this. The idea of wearing a dress felt like a distant dream, something she had told herself was off-limits. But tonight, she was wearing it, and it felt like both a victory and a challenge. For years, the thought of putting one on made her feel exposed, like the world could see every part of her that she wanted to hide. She had shielded herself with an armor of sweatshirts, loose clothes, and simple outfits, never daring to wear anything more revealing, afraid of being too visible.

But tonight was different.

When she entered the living room, her eyes immediately landed on him. Vito was standing by the door, looking every bit the part of the protective older brother. His suit, dark and tailored perfectly to his form, made him look even more imposing than usual. But there was something else in his expression—a quiet pride that Josephine hadn't seen before.

"You look..." Vito paused, taking a moment to look her over, before his lips curved into a faint but genuine smile. "You look beautiful, Josephine."

Her heart fluttered at his words. Despite all the teasing and joking, Vito's approval meant everything to her. "Thanks," she replied, her voice soft, though she couldn't help but blush. She had never felt more out of her element than she did now, but with Vito beside her, it didn't seem so bad.

Vito's hand rested on her shoulder briefly as he gave her an encouraging nod. "Let's go. You've got nothing to be nervous about."

They left the house together, and though the ride to the venue was silent, there was an unspoken understanding between them. Josephine felt oddly reassured by his presence. As they entered the ballroom, the sight of people milling about, talking, and laughing under the soft glow of chandeliers made her feel small. She clutched her brother's arm a little tighter, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Just stay close," Vito said, his voice low, guiding her through the crowd.

She nodded, grateful for his silent support. As they made their way to their table, Josephine looked around. The ballroom was a swirl of colors—everyone dressed in their finest attire, the soft glow of chandeliers casting a warm light over the guests. She felt slightly out of place, despite being there with Vito, and the weight of the dress—though beautiful—still felt strange against her skin. But Vito was here, and for now, that was enough to keep her steady.

Vito, ever attentive, made sure Josephine felt comfortable, his presence a constant reassurance beside her. The meal was exquisite, but Josephine's focus was scattered, distracted by the grandness of the event, the laughter of people around her, and the unfamiliarity of it all. The rhythmic hum of the ballroom music filled the air as they enjoyed their dinner, and Josephine tried to relax, focusing on the food in front of her, letting the distractions fade into the background.

"How's the food?" Vito asked with a raised eyebrow, noticing the faraway look in her eyes.

Josephine glanced up and smiled softly. "It's good. I just- I don't know. It feels so surreal to be here, you know?"