Finding You

Chapter 31

"What do you even wear to parties like this?"

I've been rummaging through my closets for the last half an hour searching for an outfit, which is already putting me in a bad mood and I haven't even left my house yet.

"It says on the club's website that you should 'dress to impress', so I think a cute dress and maybe a pair of heels?" Liv stares at her phone screen with a slightly confused expression on her face.

"God, why is this so stressful?" I sigh, running a hand through my unbrushed hair.

"Come on, don't be a Debby Downer. This night is about you; try and think positive thoughts. We'll find something. Let me see."

Liv moves me away to sit on the bed while she checks for something that I should wear.

Sophie is ecstatic about tonight. She hasn't stopped messaging me about it since I called her to tell her about our conversation with Jace and James last night. She can't believe that I agreed to the plans, and honestly, neither can I. The last party I went to was with Sophie and James, which ended in a disaster if I can remember.

Recently, I've been feeling like a granny. I don't party the way that I used to back in college and high school, I don't stay out late much anymore. My bedtime becomes increasingly earlier by the night. I wanted to go out tonight because I felt like all of these granny symptoms were a sign of me being in a rut, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like it's just what my lifestyle has become. God, you would never say I just turned 21.

"This is stunning! Why have you never worn this?" Liv stares in awe at the tiny piece of fabric in the shape of a dress.

I shrug. "I just never found an occasion for it, I guess."

"Well, the time is now: go try it on." Liv doesn't let me open my mouth to argue about her choice, and instead pushes me into the bathroom so that I can change.

Liv looks up from her phone as I come out of the bathroom after a few minutes, gasping slightly at the sight. I have to be honest: I feel pretty damn hot in this dress. It's a red, low-rise, faux leather bodycon mini dress with indented breast cups and long sleeves. The dress covers only about a quarter of my upper thigh, exposing a lot more than I usually do in general, but I don't mind it. What I do mind is getting hyperthermia.

"You look fucking stunning. I'm gonna have to fight off a lot more men than I thought I would tonight," she hypes me up, waving her hands in the air as if the party's already started.

"Forget that: how am I not going to freeze to death wearing this?"

"Simple: don't freeze to death," she smirks at me and shrugs. "You're wearing this; end of discussion. You can maybe take a coat with you if you really are concerned about your limbs turning to ice, but I wouldn't recommend it. You'll get hot there anyway."

"Alright, fine. Let's see your outfit now."

...

We all decide to meet at my apartment by around 10 pm so that we can all leave together instead of meeting at the club. I pull my hair back into a low ponytail with loose curls, beating my face with a bit more makeup than usual, and squeeze myself into my dress. I even opt for an open-toed heel, which I'm sure I'll be regretting soon. My nerves seem to be getting the better of me tonight as I find myself fiddling with my tennis bracelet in anticipation of their arrival.

In preparation for this, I set up a few snacks on the kitchen island and a few drinks for whoever is wanting to pre-game before heading out.

Jace and Smith arrive together after 10. They both wear simple tops and sneakers, however, Jace is wearing casual pants while Smith wears tighter-fitting black jeans.