Let me tell you guys that... that was NOT a fair fight, my mom couldn't convince me like always but she had a trick up her sleeve! And that's where the girls come in and that is the ONLY reason why I am in the bathroom cursing them like I was a grandma in her last days. I am angry at my mom and the girls for being so clever. If only I knew they were going to use all the tactics that they could. Hell, I knew! I just wish they were a little sensitive while using them. They broke my heart.

Dalain used guilt, by telling me all she has done for me on the bad days. I mean come on! How she can use that against me? I just answered her with "Shame on you for using my nature against me" even though my nature is the one against me, but that's beside the point. Right? She just rolled her eyes at me.

Lorane used shame. Let me tell you she was such a meanie! You can't just weight-shame someone, can you? She told me that I need to get out more to have a healthy appearance. I didn't understand a word she was talking about or where she was headed with that conversation until I asked her what the fuck a healthy appearance was, then she looked at me for way too long making me feel uncomfortable in my very own room. As if that wasn't enough, she goes right out and tells me that if I don't get my ass up I will be fat my whole life. Like what the fuck! I am not fat. I am just full of love but she doesn't understand that because there's not a single space in her body to be full of love when all that bullshit is filling up the space.

Then came Anger. Layla just was ranting very loud -at a volume that would be very unhealthy for my ears- about how I don't get out of the house and that she was disappointed that she had raised a couch potato. I am not disappointed in being a couch potato, it gives my life purpose and it gives me meaning. In reality, it just gives me depression, but I am fine with it. Let me tell you there was a lot of anger inside Layla and it was pretty amusing, but she was screaming so loud that I almost gave in. Keyword almost.

And then it was the bribe. I mean, Autumn is the best at bribing people even though she is very kind and funny. But when it comes to bribing, it was like a job to her. She took that shit way too seriously! She offered me money, an outfit from her closet, and that's such a big deal because even though she wasn't the most fashionable of the group she had some amazing designer clothes. She even bribed me with a bathroom product. How? I don't even know, but all she offered me was tempting and very beautiful. Hell! I even fell in love with a simple shampoo, she made it appear like it was magical for my hair, and even for my skin. Let me tell you she has mad skills at that, bribing shit. I can see a future for her in that.

And the one that made me cave and the one that hurt the most was the threats. The worst kinds of threats, and the ones that involve food.

Mom got so pissed that I was ignoring all their tactics and she bought one of my favorite desserts: brownies. And then she even dared to tell me that if I didn't go I would never taste one of those brownies in my life.

I know that that was bullshit because I could've just walked out and bought myself one of that delicious and heavenly food this life has given me, while I rest in the comfort of my queen-sized bed surrounded by all my fluffy pillows and watch Netflix the whole day. And then watch all the balloons spread out into the sky from my window, but all in all I actually wanted to go this time. I mean come on this is my junior year, this is the year where we juniors get invited to all the boring, the coolest, and even the simply crazy parties.

I can't just be in my room all my life. I need to get out of my comfort zone, and yeah I know I still got another whole year ahead of me, but I know the senior year will be full of responsibility and finding what I want to do with my life. It's a year of finding-yourself kind of bullshit... well for me at least.

So here I am in the bathroom getting ready for my out-of-my-comfort-zone adventure or also known as my first night out.

"T! Come out, we still have to do your makeup!" Lorane screamed outside the bathroom door. Even though Lorane is the sporty one she had a past that shocked us all. Her parents, since she was a little kid, had put her into beauty pageants. That was until she had a mind of her own and told her parents that enough was enough. Even though they were furious with her, they were also open-minded people so they got over it very fast. She told us the only thing that she likes about these pageants was that she had to stay fit for her dresses and so she had to do a lot of sports. Through the years she started to do her makeup. She is very skilled in that part of fashion.

"You have to wait a minute. I am zipping up the third dress and please stop screaming!" I respond. Then I looked in the mirror and finally liked a little bit of what I saw. Mom brought five dresses for me to wear tonight and I knew the moment I saw them, that I won't like any of them. They were either too revealing or too weird and by weird I mean one dress was hideous. I automatically said no to that dress and took the other four so that I could try them on. The first one was way too revealing, it was an off-shoulder dress that had a little V-neck so it showed a little too much of my cleavage and it was short and tight, like really, really tight. The only thing that I liked about that dress was that it was red and I loved the color red.

The second was a knee-length blue dress, it was beautiful but it was a turtle neck and I felt like the air wasn't entering my lungs as it should. In other words, I was suffocating.

And then the third. It was gorgeous. It was perfect. A casual vintage slim sleeveless dress and yes, it was a little more revealing than I preferred but I felt more comfortable and confident.

Dress:

"Okay I am coming out, "I said opening the bathroom door, they all looked at me and told me that I had chosen the right dress.

"Come on let's do your makeup now, the event starts in half an hour" Lorane jumped out of my bed and guided me to my desk, where she had all the make-up items organized. To tell the truth I don't even know what half of this crap is and what it is for so I let that to the experts.

She stared at me with serious eyes and moved on with my face. She asked about some liquid my mom had, something about the color of my skin, called the base. It actually felt sticky, to be honest, and then started to literally punch my face with a tiny sponge. I hated the make-up part of this going-out drama. No, wait let me rephrase that, I hate every single act of going out, even the going out part. She put on make-up powder, mascara, bronzer, blush, illuminator, matte lipstick... literally everything she had. I was grateful when she was done.

"Okay let's go, I am all done." she smiled and looked at me like I was her masterpiece.

Makeup

I loved it was casual and natural and it made me feel very relaxed in the outfit. I was so ready for this out of my comfort zone adventure. The girls got ready one by one when I got out of the bathroom so now we were just waiting for Layla, she was the last one to get ready and she was one of the slowest bitch to get ready too. I love her with all my heart but it was the truth. We already knew we were going to be late there was no doubt about that.

Lorane wore a super dope outfit. Telling us that she was sick of dresses, she went with a green strapless crop top with a bow in the middle and a jean skirt and with a gold chain disguising as a belt. She had a natural style of make-up with a well-backed ponytail on the top of her head with white Nikes.

Dalain wore a black and white stripe off-shoulder dress, no make-up, and laced-up sandals. Very plain but also very beautiful in her original style.

Autumn chose to wear a mid-thigh yellow slim strap designer dress with really painful six-inch heels. Not to be rude but it is going to be a long night for her, and because I know she will be complaining about it by the end of the night, I put some white sandals for her in my purse.

While I was in my bed laying like a starfish with Autumn by my feet, Dalain resting by the headboard of the bed, and Larane in the desk chair with all the make-up already cleared and packed in her makeup bag, we were all waiting for Layla to come out of my bathroom.

She came out with a skin-tight, mid-thigh cream dress

"Finally! Damn..." Lorane screamed once she saw Layla out of the bathroom.

"Come on we need to go, we are 15 minutes late. Sam told me that the balloon light event is going to start at 10" Dalain said, taking her purse from the bed. Sam is her best friend and he is a fashion freak. Before you all start shipping them let me tell you he's gay. They met two years ago at the start of the school year, Sam wasn't out of the closet yet so the first few weeks Dalain thought Sam was flirting with her. It was so awkward when she told him that she didn't want any romantic relationship with him, right in front of us and he was so red, he looked like a tomato and said that he was gay. He became one of our very close friends but he is not a part of our group. And sure he is a fashion freak but he is more of a fashion freak for guys. He's always well dressed and if he doesn't tell you he's gay, I'm sure you will assume that he is straight.

"Isn't that a little late? Don't they always start at like 8?" Autumn said, opening the door to my bedroom. We all got out of my room and went down the stairs to the dining area where my mother was waiting with a glass of wine.

"Yes it does but some juniors are friends with the class president of the seniors, you know Gregory, and he talked to the Sheriff and Mayor Will Johnson and I guess that made it happen," Dalain said looking at her phone and then shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess it's because they want to do that party. Juniors and seniors only and it's a super-secret, but they said they were looking into it and that they weren't really sure if they were going to do it" Lorane said kissing my mom goodbye followed by the rest of the girls "Now come on we are late".

"Party? What party?" my mom asked

"A party we aren't going to because I will be reunited with my bed by 12, right girls?" I said hoping they would say yes.

"Oh if this party stands we are going," Lorane said walking to the door.

"But mom said no so sorry guys," I said trying to escape from going to the party.

"I didn't say no if you re be back by 3 okay" she kissed my forehead and left to her room, I sighed. There was no way to escape, I have to go or I'm sure they'll make me.

"Come one!" Lorane screamed already outside of the house.

"Whose idea was to put Layla last? Not mine that's for sure, so don't go pressuring me to get out of my own house" I yelled at her locking the door behind me once they were all out.

"This is not my fault either so don't go putting the entire blame on me," Layla said with anger present in her face walking towards her car.

"I call shotgun! And yes it is, no offense Layla but you are one of the slowest bitches I have ever known when it comes to getting ready" I said laughing at her and getting in the car.

"Truth! Not fair I was about to say it!" Dalain exclaimed, getting in the car and putting on her seat belt.

"Suck it up bitch tomorrow is another day."

Layla drove the car while I was seated at shotgun, Dalain and Lorane were by the window, and Autumn was in the middle. The car ride was loud and pretty amusing. We put music and the girls were singing like their life depended on it. Lorane twirled a little and we almost saw everything we didn't need to see but all in all it was a normal car ride for us.

When we finally arrived, the place was full of lights, wherever you saw the lights were there. It was beautiful. When the clock hits ten o'clock at night all the lights will go out and the balloons with lights inside them will be ready and then we'll release them into the air. It's a very beautiful tradition.

We got out of the car and went straight to the food table, that's what happens when you do 4 hours of preparation with zero food. We took from practically everything that was on the table. At the end of the table stood my brother Dylan and James.

James is one of the sweetest boys I have ever met and honestly he is also the only friend of Dylan, other than Candal, that I like. I seriously don't know why he hangs out with my brothers 'gang'. That's how he likes to put it. He is so honest and respectful to others and I don't think there is a single bad bone in him, he is not bad to look at either. I mean I think that is why he is there, because of his handsome looks.

"Well I can see that the fat just keeps getting fatter," Dylan said, seeing my plate full of food.

"Oh I see you are talking about yourself, still reminiscing Dylan? That's not good for you because you were always a fat ass" I said putting my hand on his shoulder and acting as if I was worried. He rolled his eyes at me and shrugged off my hand.

"Why are you here? You are supposed to be fighting with mom about not wanting to come" Dylan said, taking the only doughnut from my plate.

"HEY! Don't touch my food, you idiot!" I tried taking the doughnut from him but he put it in his mouth instantly.

"I thought I could do you a favor so you wouldn't be so full"

"Stop being an ass Dylan, hello how are you Truth?" James tried to butt in the discussion by being the gentleman that he always is.

"Ha so funny dumbass, I didn't want your germs anyways, disgusting pig, that's why you are so fat... and hello to you too James." I smile "I am fine thanks for asking. Now let me excuse myself from this stupid conversation that I am having with my brother," I said walking away from the table of so good delicious treats and the asshole beside it

"You are just jealous because this is all muscle sister!" he yelled at me from a distance.

"Stop embarrassing me already and shut up!" I yelled and sat at the table where the girls were already eating their faces away. What can I tell you? We were all hungry.

"Well, that was amusing. What happens now?" Autumn said while eating a strawberry with chocolate

"The usual him being an ass and me being innocent"

"Don't be mad but you are never innocent when it comes to those fights?" Layla said

"Well, this time I am!"

"Yeah sure." they all said in sync. Which was very creepy and a big sign that we should stop hanging out so much, or in the end we will be speaking everything in sync every time. Even though I know that it's not going to happen we are just too damn different, plus that's practically impossible.

"Anyways, what time is it?" I asked and started eating my food.

"It's 8:15, Sam told me while waiting in the food line that the party is a go," Dalain said, finishing her plate, but everybody at this table knows that she is going for round two. That girl could put an elephant to shame at eating. I don't understand how she can be so skinny without doing any type of workouts and eating so much.

"Yeah the seniors said that once we release the balloons, they are getting out of here and heading to the party," Lorane said getting up and putting her plate in the trash can.

"Well I guess that our plan too," Layla said

"Oh come on guys do we have to, we can have a sleepover in my house and watch movies, and practically have dubieties together and... and... and..." and I really didn't know what more we could do that would convince them but I don't really want to go to that party.

Parties are not my scene and yeah, I know I said all that comfort-zone bullshit but that is just way too out there, and well... I will eventually go to a party or two but it doesn't mean that it has to be today exactly or this year in particular, right? Right!?

"No, no, no. We. are. going. Period", Autumn said, shaking her head sideways too hard just to make a point.

"T, I am not saying that sleeping over at your house is boring but this is the first party of this school year and it is held on a very special day. We cannot skip it this time for you and I am not going to let you skip it either", Layla said getting up with the rest of the girls and putting a hand on my shoulder for 'comfort'.

"Yes and that's final. Now let's walk around and see what they have done to entertain us"

*2 hours later*

"Oh my God! It's about to start! I am so excited" Dalain exclaimed, jumping around and literally skipping to get her balloon with Sam on her toes.

"Hey wait up and calm down! There's still 15 minutes left." I say following them, the girls following closely behind. After taking a balloon and candle for everyone, we waited for the sign.

The mayor started a speech like half an hour ago and he is still going on and on... I wish he had an off button. Finally, after what felt like decades the most awaited moment came. The lights went off leaving the entire area to be illuminated only by our glowing balloons and that is when we let go of our balloons. This sight. I almost missed it. Almost. It's beautiful. More than what I could have ever imagined, it was breathtaking. I never thought that looking at it up close would make much of a difference. The sight from my bedroom can't even be compared to this wonder. I don't even know how I could have missed it for so many years.

I almost forgot the candle in my hand. I closed my eyes slowly making a wish and then blew out the candle. There could've been more than three hundred balloons in the night sky illuminating down on us. I felt eyes on me while I was watching the beautiful sight and I looked around to see who or what it was that was focusing on me instead of the illuminated sky.

And there he stands in all his glory, you can feel his confidence from a mile away, Cristian Conner. My brother's best friend since they were three years old, and my crush since I was 7. For what reason, I don't even know because he is nothing but an asshole. Yet he stands there watching me, and I do the same. I am practically eye raping him. Under the balloons' lights, he looks so fucking sexy.

He also had a lighted candle that he was supposed to blow out once the balloons were released but he still hasn't. He was wearing a white plain t-shirt that looked so good on him, you can even see the outline of his abs, with a black jacket and some black jeans with black and white retro Nikes. I am trying to find the courage to smile at him and to stop myself from imagining him kissing me. That's when I felt someone touch my shoulder and sadly I had to break our eye raping contest.

"Hey? T, come on we are going to the party now" Layla said pulling me away to the car.

"Umm... Y-yeah, l-let's go..." I stutter breaking out of the trance, thinking about what just happened. I must have probably looked like a creepy potato, looking at him like that. What was I even thinking? Oh right, I wasn't even thinking. My God, I must have totally creeped him out. I am such an idiotic fool. Damn it.

__________•___________

Now I am going to post, for those who do read the authors notes the outfits of the characters

Lorane's outfit

Dalain's dress

Autumn's dress

Layla's dress

Cristian's outfit

This chapter was edited by Evafireswordlove

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