𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 // 𝗖.𝗙

𝖳 𝖱 𝖸 𝖨 𝖭 𝖦

SYLVIA EMERGES from the bathroom, stepping into her bedroom where Beau was perched on the stark, bare mattress.

The room felt hollow, stripped bare by Julia, who had wasted no time in selling the house – a reality Sylvia tried to push to the back of her mind.

Instead, she focuses on the upcoming party and her appearance, determined to make their last moments in this house unforgettable.

"So, how do I look?" She asks, her voice laced with a nervous excitement.

She glides into the room on roller skates, a vision of retro-chic.

Her outfit was a carefully curated homage to the 80s, a blend of boldness and playful charm.

A tight, short-sleeved crop top clung to her figure, perfectly accentuating her curves.

Paired with it was a black, shiny leather skirt that barely grazed below her derrière, adding a touch of rebellious allure.

Her makeup was subtle yet radiant, a hint of gold catching the light and enhancing her natural features.

Her hair, now styled in soft, bouncy curls, was arranged in a half-up, half-down do, framing her face with an effortless elegance.

"It's not one hundred percent 80s themed, but I did my best with what I could find." Sylvia explains, her voice tinged with a hint of self-consciousness.

To showcase the full effect, she executed a playful spin, her skirt flaring out as she twirls.

Her eyes sparkle with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability, hoping for Beau's approval.

Beau's jaw drops, his eyes wide with admiration.

"You look out of this world." He breathes, his voice filled with genuine awe. "You chose the perfect outfit. You look amazing, Syl."

His words were sincere, reflecting the depth of his affection and appreciation for his best friend.

"Thank you." Sylvia beams, her face lighting up at his compliment.

She turns her gaze to Beau's outfit, taking in his ensemble with a critical eye.

He was perfectly coordinated with Jeremiah, both sporting dark yellow, short-sleeved, loose button-up shirts adorned with darker yellow swirls and patterns.

He completed the look with white slacks that hung loosely but flattered his figure.

"You look quite dashing yourself." Sylvia teases, her eyes twinkling. "Matching with Jere, how adorable."

Beau's playful eye roll was accompanied by a dramatic sigh, the kind reserved for only his closest friends.

"Yeah, yeah." He drawls, his voice laced with affection despite the exaggerated annoyance. "Jere just couldn't stand the thought of attending this party without us being a perfectly coordinated duo, so here we are, victims of his matchy-matchy obsession."

He gestures theatrically to their outfits, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Sylvia chuckles, a melodic sound that always seemed to brighten the space around her.

With a playful wink, she glides effortlessly toward the door, her skates whispering against the polished floor.

"You guys are a match made in heaven, and let's be real, you have me to thank for that." She quips, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ready to dive into the chaos?"

"Mhm." Beau replies, his usual jovial tone softening as he stepped to her side.

As Sylvia reaches for the doorknob, the bass from the party downstairs thrumming through the wall like a restless heartbeat, Beau gently caught her hand, halting her movement.