067
1408 Words
~ Iris
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be stressing over lip gloss shades instead of exams, I would’ve laughed.
If you had told me I’d be stressing over lip gloss shades because my girlfriend was sitting on my bed watching me like I was the eighth wonder of the world?
I would’ve fainted.
“Alice,” I groaned, staring at my reflection for the hundredth time. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” she asked innocently.
“Like I’m dessert.”
She didn’t even blink. “You are.”
I threw a makeup brush at her.
She caught it easily.
Alice was sitting against my headboard in a black suit jacket she’d abandoned because “it wrinkles.” The sleeves of her white shirt were rolled up, exposing her forearms in a way that was absolutely unfair. Her tie hung loose around her neck.
She looked good.
Too good.
Meanwhile, I was pacing barefoot in my silver dress, debating whether my hair looked “effortless” or just messy.
“Turn around,” she said suddenly.
“Why?”
“Because I want to see.”
“You’re literally already seeing.”
“Turn around, Iris.”
I sighed dramatically but obeyed, slowly spinning.
The dress shimmered under the warm light. It wasn’t dramatic or bold. Just soft and elegant. It made me feel… grown.
Alice stood up.
That’s when I knew I was in trouble.
She walked toward me slowly, like she had all the time in the world. Her hands settled gently at my waist.
“You’re unreal,” she murmured.
I swallowed. “It’s just a dress.”
“No,” she said quietly. “It’s you.”
My heart did that stupid flutter thing I pretend it doesn’t do.
She brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
“You nervous?” she asked.
“Maybe.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s prom,” I said. “And something dramatic always happens at prom in movies.”
She smirked. “This isn’t a movie.”
“Good. I don’t have the emotional budget for a dramatic plot twist.”
Her expression softened.
“You’re safe tonight,” she said gently.
I didn’t know why that made my chest warm, but it did.
“Come here,” she added.
I stepped closer.
She kissed me.
Slow.
Careful.
Not rushed.
It wasn’t hungry. It wasn’t desperate.
It was steady.
The kind of kiss that says, I’m here.
My hands slid up to her shoulders, pulling her closer. She made a quiet sound against my lips that made my knees weak.
When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless.
“Okay,” I said faintly. “Now I’m definitely nervous.”
She laughed softly. “Good.”
The hall was magical.
That’s the only word for it.
Soft golden lights hung from the ceiling like stars. The music was loud enough to feel in your chest. Dresses shimmered. Suits flashed. Everyone looked slightly different from their usual selves,like we had all stepped into a better version of reality.
For once, nobody was whispering about gossip or rankings or anything dramatic.
People were just… happy.
Alice pulled me straight to the dance floor.
“You didn’t even let me get a drink,” I protested.
“You can hydrate later.”
“You’re so bossy.”
“And yet,” she said, spinning me effortlessly, “you’re still here.”
I laughed, the sound getting swallowed by the music.
We danced like idiots at first,jumping, laughing, not caring who was watching. At some point she grabbed my hand and pulled me closer as the music shifted into something slower.
Her hand rested at my waist.
Mine curled lightly around her shoulder.
“See?” she murmured. “No drama.”
“So far,” I teased.
She leaned closer, brushing her nose lightly against mine.
“Relax,” she whispered.
I did.
For a while, the world narrowed down to her heartbeat under my palm and the rhythm of the music.
After a few songs, I was flushed and breathless.
“That’s it,” I said. “I need air.”
Before we could move, someone slid between us dramatically.
“IRIS.”
I turned.
Rownan.
How did I know him?
Alice had told me about him, the day I didn't go for her dad's party.
And we'll he has taken us out a couple of times.
He was Looking like he dressed in a hurry and somehow made it fashion.
“What?” Alice groaned
.
“I require assistance,” he declared.
“With what?” I asked, laughing.
He leaned toward Alice and whispered loudly, “Rowena wants to confess something and I am emotionally unprepared.”
Alice blinked. “Why am I involved?”
“Because you look intimidating and calm,” he said. “I need intimidating and calm.”
“That’s not a compliment,” she muttered.
“It absolutely is.”
He grabbed her sleeve dramatically.
“Two minutes,” Alice told me.
“Go,” I said, smiling. “Save him.”
She squeezed my hand before letting Rownan drag her away.
I stepped toward the edge of the dance floor, catching my breath.
The music changed again. Slower. Softer.
Couples paired up.
I watched people laugh, spin, stumble.
It felt light.
Normal.
Then..
A light tap on my shoulder.
I turned casually.
And my stomach dropped.
“Hey, Iris.”
Ky.
For a second, I just stared.
She looked almost the same. Dark hair slightly longer. Suit simple but sharp. Familiar eyes.
“You’re…” I blinked. “You’re back?”
“Yeah.”
“When?”
“Today.”
“Today?” I repeated.
She gave a small shrug. “Figured I’d make an entrance.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or hit her.
“ I missed you”
“ Who wouldn't?” She said smirking.
Ky had been my best friend once.
Before everything got complicated.
Before Alice.
Before feelings got tangled.
We used to sit on the bleachers after training and talk about nothing for hours. She used to tease me when I got competitive. Used to steal my snacks. Used to show up whenever I needed someone.
And then she left.
Because if family issues.
And now she was here.
“You look…” she started, then paused. “Happy.”
“I am,” I said honestly.
“With her?”
I nodded.
She looked down briefly, then back at me.
“I’m glad,” he said, and I believed her.
There was something different about her
now.
“One dance?” she asked. “Just to prove you still have terrible rhythm.”
I rolled my eyes. “I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
I hesitated for half a second.
It was just a dance.
Just old friends.
“Fine,” I said.
She offered her hand.
I took it.
We moved to the edge of the dance floor. Her hand rested lightly at my waist. Mine settled on her shoulder.
It wasn’t intense.
It wasn’t romantic.
It was familiar.
“You’re still stiff,” she teased.
“I am not.”
“You are.”
I shoved her lightly and she laughed.
For a moment, it felt like before.
Simple.
Easy.
Then she grew quieter.
“I thought about you,” she said.
“Ky.. “
“Not in a complicated way,” she added quickly. “Just… I wondered if you were okay.”
“I am,” I said.
She nodded slowly.
The music swelled.
She leaned slightly closer so I could hear her over it.
“You deserve someone who makes you happy. Who you feel free with.”
My chest tightened.
Before I could respond..
The world shifted.
That subtle tension in the air.
I felt it before I saw it.
I turned my head slightly..
And there she was.
Alice.
Standing a few feet away.
Not angry.
Not shouting.
Just… still.
Her eyes weren’t on my face.
They were on Ky’s hand at my waist.
And in that exact moment…
Ky leaned in.
It wasn’t dramatic.
It wasn’t forceful.
It was instinct.
A soft kiss.
Quick.
Almost nostalgic.
My brain froze.
It lasted barely a second.
But it was enough.
When I pulled back, shock flooding me..
Alice had seen everything.
- Writer
