When Irene stepped out, she paused in front of the mirror.
The dress was a deep red , impossible to ignore. It fitted her just righy, falling smoothly to just above her knees. The fabric was soft and slightly silky, catching the light whenever she moved.
It had thin straps and a clean neckline, it made her look more confident than she felt.
She paired it with black heels, not too high, just enough to add a little height. Her hair fell naturally over her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends.
For a moment, she just stood there, studying her reflection.She looked like herself,just bolder.
"See this damsel little darling, you look so geogeous right now", mia said
" Now let get your hair done", mia said
"No, no, i'm not styling the hair", irene refused
" Alright, it looks good though so no need for styling the hair"
Lucian's pov
Lucian stood in his room, adjusting his sleeve.He was already dressed,Nothing unnoticeable.
"You're going out."
He turned slightly.
His mother stood by the door, watching him.
"Obviously"Lucian said.
She walked in slowly. "Since when do you attend parties?"
"Since now.", he replied nonchantly
She studied him for a moment."This is about the girl, isn't it?"
Lucian didn't answer immediately and his silence alone says the answer
His mother's expression changed slightly. "You're getting involved."
"i'm already involved," Lucian said.
"Then you should stay away from her.", seraphine,lucian's mother said
Lucian shook his head. "I don't think so ma'am"
"Okay, but be careful", seraphine said as she turns to leave then the paused and turned back to lucian " And if any thing happens don't cut me and your father in, okay? ", she said
" Okay", he said pretending not to be worried about what she meant
By the time Irene and her friends arrived, the party was already in full swing.
Music filled the air, Lights flashed across the house in different colors, and voices is in everywhere
"This is insane," irene said as she started all looking around the party
"Told you," mia replied, already smiling.
Irene stepped inside more slowly, taking everything in. The place was carefully arranged with bub, wines carefully arranged, snacks, tenis table and all
"Come on,"mia said before she pulls her toward the main room.
They squeezed through the crowd as they laugh and chat among themselves when someone almost spilled a drink on them.
"I'm so sorry", the person said before he walked past them
" Hey gurls and guys in the house, enjoy yourselve to the fullest, drink, smoke,play games, do everything you like, it's a party!!", Roman shouted at the upstairs of the house"
"Yeah!!!!! ", they all shouted
"Alcohol?" one of the workers in uniform asked.
"Yes," mia said immediately.
Irene shook her head. "i prefer diet coke"
"Alright", the woman in uniform said, then the woman serve them with their respective required drinks
" Thanks", they said together as they took their respective drinks
They moved toward a quieter corner to avoid unnessesary accident and all, Irene leaned slightly against the wall, watching everything, People dancing,Others taking pictures, many kissing and dancing,Some just talking like nothing else mattered.
Her eyes kept moving,Looking at the activities and then She saw him,lucian.
Lucian stood across the room,talking to one of the class bullies as he sip his wine
Their eyes met for a brief second before irene cut their eye contact
His expression didn't change as he continues his chat with the girl
"Why does i fell jealous", irene said inside as she pretend to be nonchanlant about it
Mia said, nudging her. "Why are you staring like that?"
"I'm just looking around.", irene said
"Uh-huh."mia said
Before they both of them could say more, lina,one of their classmate that is somehow close to mia grabbed both of them.
"Dance floor. Now.", lina said
They were already being pulled into the crowd.
For a moment, Irene let herself go along with it. Moving, laughing a little, forgetting everything else.
As irene was dancing, moving her body to the music, in the otherside of the party The music thumped harder now, each beat vibrating through the floor. The lights spun in colored circles across the room, flashing over students laughing, dancing, and taking selfies.
Irene had tried to blend in with her classmates, letting herself sway a little to the rhythm but she couldn't stop noticing Lucian.
" It seems like this party is a banger", the new boy said from behind them
"Yeah it is" , irene replied
"What's your name? ", irene asked him
" Logan, logan wyse", the new boy
"Nice, i'm irene williams", irene replied
" I know", he replied
"How? ", irene asked suprisely
" I overheard when your friend call you ", logan said
" Wow, you're observant", irene said as both dance together his hands on her waist
Irene looked all around the party and she saw that Lucian's eyes were on her. His jaw was tight now, his posture stiff. She caught the flicker of irritation in his dark gaze.
Logan leaned in slightly, brushing his hand against Irene's arm. "You dance well,"he said softly.
"Thanks," Irene replied, trying to sound casual, though her heart was racing, not for the dance but for the look on lucian's face
Lucian moved closer from across the room, his eyes never leaving her.
Irene noticed it. And part of her loved it.
"Hey", lucian said as he approach them
"irene,Can we talk?" His voice was low and calm
She glanced at logan who gave her a smirk before disappearing into the crowd. Irene turned back to Lucian. "Uh… yeah. Sure."
He led her away from the crowd, toward the quieter hallway near the stairs. The music faded slightly, replaced by muffled laughter and shouts from the main room.
Lucian stopped and turned to face her. His arms were crossed and his jaw tight
"You were dancing with him," he said simply.
Irene blinked and she became suddenly defensive. "It's just dancing."
Lucian took a step closer. "Just dancing?" His voice sharpened. "he was flirting with you."
Irene felt heat rise in her chest. "I he's just… being playful. It's nothing serious."
Lucian didn't move, but the tension in the air made it feel like he could crush her with a look. "Stay away from him"