"I'm telling you this isn't comfortable! How do you even wear this stuff?", Dawn retorted.
"You'll get used to it babe", Serene winked, "And trust me, you are going to be the cynosure today."
"I'm not a particular fan of attention", Dawn said disappointedly. No matter what she said right now, it wouldn't make a difference. She had to wear that dress, she didn't have an option.
"If you're done complaining, we should rush to class, or you'll be missing your first lecture", Serene said as she rushed to class.
As they walked past the corridors, all pairs of eyes swept in their direction. As guys noticed her their jaws dropped and people started blathering.
'Have you ever seen her?'
'No, I guess she's new to school.'
'She's hot stuff, man.'
'She's out of your league, let me go for her.'
"I told you, didn't I?", Serene said cheerfully.
"Yeah, you warned me.", Dawn answered sheepishly.
She kept walking, eyes on the ground, self-conscious. The several pairs of eyes staring at her made her feel uncomfortable.
"Hey, I'm Mike, captain of the football team. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss?", called a boy, will green eyes and brown hair. He was about 6 feet tall, and well built. Extremely pale in skin tone, he looked gorgeous, but the gape in his eyes proved he was up to no good.
"She's Dawn, new to school. Now, if you may excuse us?", gnawed Serene, sensing how despondent Dawn had become. Dawn felt more crestfallen as her vision blurred while her eyes filled with tears.
Until the air around her changed. She looked up, only to find Astin standing inches away from her. She could feel his breath on her forehead. He looked into her eyes, while she stared back. At that instant, time froze. She didn't know if anyone else was around, or if anyone looked at her or said anything. All she could think about was him. There was enchantment in his eyes, which reflected back in hers. She didn't realise how deep she had dived in the ocean of her emotions until he extirpated her tears off her face.
"You look gorgeous, don't worry", Astin whispered in her ear and walked past her.
And that one statement urged her fears away.
She kept looking at him while he walked away, not the way she had done earlier, but with respect, while a smile spread across her face as she blushed.
"So princess, if you're done with the inception of your love story, this way please", Serene teased Dawn as they walked to the class for their Ancient American History lecture.
