### Chapter Six: The Gossip
As Jessica and Ryan made their way through the party, a group of girls huddled together in the corner, their eyes glued to Jessica. Whispers filled the air as they exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by her presence.
**Girl 1:** “Did you see Jessica? She looks absolutely stunning tonight!”
**Girl 2:** “I know! I’ve never noticed how pretty she is before. What’s different about her?”
**Girl 3:** “Right? She’s always been cute, but tonight she’s on fire! That outfit is perfect for her.”
**Girl 1:** “Seriously! I wonder why we never saw it before. Maybe she just needed the right look or something.”
**Girl 2:** “Or maybe she’s just finally stepping out of her shell. I mean, look at her with Ryan! They look so good together.”
**Girl 3:** “I always thought they were just friends. I can’t believe how much attention she’s getting. It’s like she’s a whole new person!”
**Girl 1:** “I bet Ryan is loving this. He’s always been so chill, but now he’s got the hottest girl at the party by his side.”
**Girl 2:** “I wonder if they’re actually dating or if this is just a fling. Either way, she’s definitely turning heads.”
**Girl 3:** “I hope she knows how amazing she looks. She deserves all the compliments tonight!”
As they continued to gossip, Jessica caught snippets of their conversation, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and pride. She glanced at Ryan, who was still smiling and chatting, seemingly unaware of the attention they were drawing.
**Girl 1:** “We should definitely compliment her later. She’s really owning it tonight!”
**Girl 2:** “Absolutely! Let’s go say hi after we grab some drinks.”
The girls giggled and moved away, leaving Jessica feeling a rush of confidence. Maybe tonight would be a turning point for her, and with Ryan by her side, she was ready to embrace the spotlight.