The day of the party arrived faster than I expected. I stood in front of my closet, staring at my clothes like they were weapons, trying to choose the perfect armor for the battle ahead. Something elegant, but not over the top. Confident, but not attention-seeking.
After much deliberation, I settled on a sleek black dress with a subtle shimmer. It clung to my figure in all the right places, striking the balance between understated and striking. I paired it with a pair of gold heels and a matching clutch.
Looking in the mirror, I forced myself to smile. “You’ve got this,” I whispered, even though my stomach was a bundle of nerves.
When I arrived at Stella’s house, the sound of laughter and music greeted me before I even stepped inside. Balloons in pastel colors adorned the front yard, an
