Boarding School Bliss

Chapter 6

Samantha was sprawled across her bed scrolling through her instagram when a post from her Get Lit page popped up. It was a page for Literature lovers, people who wanted to get together and discuss books or just be with fellow book lovers. They had book club every so often and once in a while they would throw a classic literature party where you could dress up in the clothes from the era from the book of choice.

"Ooh." She said, excitedly sitting up. She had just enough time to get ready before the party was set to start. It wasn't like most high school parties where everyone got drunk, threw up, and regretted everything. It was more of a ball than a party.

"What's up?" Jasmine asked, looking up from the essay she was working on.

"There's a party tonight." Samantha mumbled, scanning through the details.

"Oh, awesome, count me in." Jasmine said.

Samantha looked up in surprise and chuckled a little. "Oh, no, Jazz, it's a literature thing."

"Oh." Jasmine immediately looked back down at her homework, disinterested. "I can't believe you like those parties. Aren't they mostly just full of nerds?"

Samantha rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I'm just kidding." Jasmine said, in a tone that suggested maybe she had been and maybe she hadn't. "So, what are you going to go as?"

"It's based on the Count of Monte Cristo, so I get to wear my new dress." Samantha said, jumping up from the bed and flinging her closet doors open. The party announcement had also said it was a masked ball. Luckily, Samantha had one of those at the ready too.

Jasmine snorted. "I can't believe you spent money on that."

"Well, technically, I didn't spend the money." Samantha muttered, bitterly, remembering how her parents would throw money at her to keep her out of their space.

"I guess that's true." Jasmine said, her voice softening a bit. Jasmine knew more about Samantha than her other friends, mainly because they were roommates, but also because Jasmine was the least judgemental.

Samantha pulled the new dress from the closet and grabbed a pair of black elbow-length gloves. She pulled her mask from the mirror and threw the bundle onto her bed. She sat down to do her makeup and she heard Jasmine sigh and put her papers aside.

"Alright, alright, I'll do your hair." She said, getting to her feet.

Samantha suppressed a smile. "I didn't ask."

"You didn't have to." Jasmine said, winking at her in the mirror as she gathered Samantha's black hair into her hands. She plugged in Samantha's curling iron and played with a few updos as she waited for it to heat up.

Samantha fixed her makeup in a simple, classic style. Her blue eyes were lined in black eyeliner and her cheeks were pink with blush. She finished the look by painting her lips a deep maroon.

Jasmine had piled Samantha's hair in soft curls on top of her head, letting a few hang down around her face. Samantha donned her underthings and then Jasmine helped her step into her dress.

The dress was royal blue silk and matched Samantha's eyes almost perfectly. The sleeves were short and hanging off her shoulders, baring the curve of her neck.

Jasmine tied the laces in the back and then stepped away and pursed her lips. "You should show a little more cleavage." Jasmine said.

With an exasperated look from Samantha, Jasmine raised her hands and said, "Okay, okay. You look gorgeous how you are."