Phenomenal

32 ~ Red High Heels

"What do you think?"

Charlotte glanced up from her homework then did a double take as Clarissa walked out of her room.

"Wooooow," Charlotte said, her eyes widening, a smile forming as she put her stuff down and stood up, staring at Clarissa. "You look amazing."

Clarissa smiled, turning towards the hallway mirror to adjust her hair. She was dressed in a blue gown, the skirts gathered at the base of the spine and trailing away into a small train, her cap sleeves off the shoulders and the bodice tight and corseted.

"You look so modest," Charlotte said, laughing, "How very unlike the usual display Brett dresses you up in."

"I wanted to wear this dress for ages, but you know him."

"Show as much as possible so his limited imagination doesn't have to work?" Charlotte suggested.

"Pretty much," Clarissa replied as she applied a lipstick.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "What? No defending his honour like the ever dutiful girlfriend?" she asked, folding her arms.

"No, not this time," Clarissa said, and Charlotte's other eyebrow shot up to join its partner.

"I'm surprised," she admitted.

"So you should be, check it out," Clarissa said, taking hold of her skirts and lifting them, revealing her shoes.

A killer set of hot red high heels, completely in contrast with her dress and yet it totally worked with the flare of curling red at the top of her head.

"The heels!" Charlotte cried, pointing them, "They're still alive!"

"Of course, like I'd throw them out."

"I thought you ditched them when Brett told you they were ugly."

"Oh please, what does Brett actually know of fashion?" Clarissa said.

Charlotte started laughing, staring at her. "Give a girl a pair of shoes and it can change everything, huh?"

"Just ask Cinderella."

Charlotte kept laughing, shaking her head, her eyes practically glowing with pride.

Clarissa smiled slightly as she put everything she needed in her clutch and swung her coat on. "Hey Charlotte."

"Hmm?"

"You remember what I was like when I was still playing sports?"

"Oh god, of course, how could I forget?"

"Do you think my personality was better back then?"

Charlotte pursed her lips slightly, then tilted her head to the side. "I do," she said, defiantly, getting ready for Clarissa to oppose her in some way with 'Brett Logic'.

Clarissa just smiled as she opened the front door and look back with a grin. "So do I," she said and closed the door behind her.

~~~~

"Clarissa?"

Clarissa looked around as she entered Denby Hall and smiled as one of the men broke away from the crowd, reaching for her as he approached, a smile forming.

"Jack," she said, returning the smile as she took his hands and exchanged kisses with the host.

"I'm so glad you made it, Brett told me you weren't coming today."

"I'm sorry, coming without an invitation; I hope you don't mind me crashing the party."

Jack tilted his head slightly, his frown creasing in confusion as his smile faulted. "Uninvited?" he copied.