The History of Us

11 - A Night Under The Stars

Past

A Night Under The Stars

The night of the Winter Dance was finally starting. People dressed in different shades of dresses and suits were beginning to trickle into the gymnasium, all of whom caught each other's eyes in surprise as they had rarely seen their classmates dressed up so glamorously as they were that night. The gymnasium had been turned into a venue so magical that everyone had a hard time believing it was the same place where their weekly, sweaty P.E. classes are usually held.

Long layers of white sheer voile were draped down by the sides of the room, creating a backdrop that extended up across the ceiling. It was like being in one giant tent, and the faint golden lighting which was carefully hidden behind the voile enhanced the soft ambience.

The highlight of the whole venue was the handmade collection of fairy lights that suspended from the high ceiling of the gymnasium and resembled shining stars, all of which was made possible by the effort of the relentless Winter Dance Committee with a pair of extra helping hand.

The committee had been ready on the spot for several hours now, and although each of them were nervous about how the night would turn out, they were excited nonetheless.

When Elsie spotted her friends as she approached through the makeshift entrance tunnel, she couldn't help but let out a squeal as she walked up to them carefully in her high heels. Though they had gotten ready together and arrived at the same time - the committee were required to make one final check of the event before it began - she hadn't been able to fully absorb the excitement of the night until she was in that moment where she knew that everything was unfolding according to plan, and even better.

"Goodness Elsie, stop fidgeting so much, you'll ruin your makeup!" Abby scolded as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind Elsie's ears, concerned about her friend's appearance more than Elsie herself. Abby was wrapped in a simple, long black dress, which she had paired with gold accessories and a bold red lipstick that complimented her soft makeup. Out of the four of them, her look was the fastest to create, just as she had preferred it, for she loved helping her friends with their look just as much.

Poppy's dress was a beautiful shade of velvet burgundy that she looked almost surreal as she took a sip of her drink, her eyes lingering onto the ceiling above. Lucy, on the other hand, wore a slim silver dress which she finished off with her brown hair tied into a messy low ponytail, it was effortless in a way that only Lucy could've pulled off.

As Elsie's eyes carefully scanned through her friends, all of whom were stood next to one another elegantly that they all looked as if they had stepped out of a fashion magazine, she couldn't help but look down upon her own lacy dress, in all its midnight blue glory. Before her mind could linger back towards the doubtful thoughts she had several hours ago, Poppy tapped on her shoulder.

"Hey, you look great..." She whispered, "Stop worrying and enjoy the night, it won't last forever you know."

"Thanks Pops, I needed that," Elsie smiled. It was hard for her not to think of the small rip on the back of her dress, just below her shoulder blades, or the slight smudge of her eyeshadow from accidentally scratching her eyelid, but as she looked around, she realized that everyone was too engrossed in their own existence to notice her problems.

On a normal day this might've bothered her - she's always had a deep fear that her existence was meaningless - but for tonight, it was a gift.

"How's everything going? Is Jack having a panic attack?" Lucy joked, looking around the crowd but particularly at the stage, where the band was playing a slow jazz. It had been her idea to hire a band instead of a DJ, strongly stating that it would bring a better, more natural ambience for the night, so ever since the event began she had been watching them like a hawk as she knew that their performance was her responsibility.