After Dusk

Chapter Eleven

"Are you sure about this? I look ridiculous," I muttered as I crossed my arms over my chest as if they would turn into an added layer of clothing. I don't think I have ever been so uncomfortable and embarrassed in my entire life

"Oh stop! You look great!" Matt exclaimed as he poked my arm, "Lighten up party pooper, we're out celebrating your new job! It's time to let loose!"

Leo shook his head and smiled lightly at Matt, "Ya know, sometimes I worry about you."

Matt and Leo began playfully bickering amongst each other as I looked around at all the other people around us. Even though almost all the girls around us were wearing shorter dresses than me, I still couldn't help but feel like people were staring at me. Looking down at the strapless dark forest green tube dress, it stuck to my body like a second layer of skin. I fought the temptation to pull the top of the dress up higher knowing very well that all it would do was pull up the bottom of the dress making it shorter. 

"I don't think I have ever worn a dress this short before," I groaned out as I looked down at the end of the dress that ended two inches above my knee. 

Matt and Leo stopped their bickering long enough to stare at me before busting out into laughter. 

"I almost didn't believe you when you said you have never when to a club before," Leo laughed as he lightly patted me on my back, "Don't worry El! Once we get some drinks in you, you'll be fine!"

After Leo and I told Matt that I had gotten the job, he insisted that we all had to go out to this nightclub to celebrate. At first, I rejected the idea but then I suddenly remembered how everyone always teased me by calling me Granny El at La Petals because I would never go out on the town with my coworkers. So I changed my mind but I should have known better than to let Matt pick out and buy my outfit. I don't know why the dress looked longer on the hanger but as soon as it was on my body, it looked like a completely different dress. 

I ran my hand over the green material that laid flat against my stomach, I couldn't help but let a small smile spread across my lips. I don't think I had ever felt so sexy before in all of my adult years.  I have never worn something that showed off my hourglass figure, my boobs or my butt before but surprisingly I liked the way it made me feel. 

"Look at the hottie," 

I turned my head around to see some attractive guys looking over and winked at me as soon as we made eye contact. I quickly turned my head back around and felt a feverish blush fill my cheeks. The dress may have made me feel sexy but at the moment I was mortified about wearing something so revealing out in public.

Matt looked down at his watch before quickly looking back up and scanning through the crowd of people around us, "Where are they? it's already 8:10 pm. We should head inside soon if we want to get a table-"

"Hey! Sorry, we're late! But we're finally here!"

All three of our heads snapped around to the sound of Nick's voice slowly getting closer through the crowd. Finally, Nick, Robert, and Megan popped out of the crowd and were lightly jogging over to us as best as they could since Megan was wearing a very short sequence dress at made me question if she should be running in that dress at all.

"Geez late as ever," Leo teased as he lightly punched Nick's arm, "What took you guys so long?"

Nick rolled his brown eye as he pointed behind him to Megan, "Meg couldn't find 'the right shade of lipstick' " He mocked as he gestured air quotations with his hands.

"Hey! You can't rush perfection!" Megan shot back defensively. 

Nick just chuckled before quickly stopping as he stared at me as if it was the first time he had ever seen me, "D-damn, Elena. You look good, like really good!"