LOVE IN CONTRACT

a's

staring at the black gown So

gracefully just below my knees. The neckline was

lking and looking at you... You lo

he folds of the dress. "You really

adjust the hem. "It's a showcase, not prom night. Peop

e. "I hope nobody

n. But in a good way. In a "who's that g

my heels. They we

usually wore. "I haven't worn heel

be fine. Just imagine you're walking in slow moti

y. "Model style? I

e. "Your hair's perfect like this; loose waves, one side pinned

ked at my reflection. "It really does

ng me a small black clutch. Phone, wallet, ID, lip

s and nodded. "Okay.

p, girl... Look at you. Light blush, soft eyeshadow, rose- tinted li

pretending to b

rmly. "You're just...showing people the

I just... don't know if I c

" Sophia said, sque

who wears a black

. The dress, the heels, the hair, the makeup, the clutc

ftly. "I think...

ow them you're more than just a

the mirror one last look. "Okay," I whispere

e heading downstairs. My heels made soft, careful sounds on the step

ed up on the couch in one of mom's old oversized T-shirt and a pair of short, h

a's voice

rn before I leave, I'll person

y replied. "I'

wn brushed softly against my legs with every step.

turne

ly, eyes moving over

rvously. "Yo

ook at you. You look like someone that

eath. "Please don't l

," she replied. "I'm the one tha

me properly. "You look like someone tha

d. "That

id quickly. "It's just.

The black gown suddenly felt m

e they step into something they

k. "Why would yo

"Relax. I'm

oftly now, the kind of argument where both people were hurt but preten

vous?" S

tted. "Okay, mo

d the strap of my gown again, ev

ing somewhere unfamiliar.

t if I say som

ourself," she said. "You don

her chest. "Are they goi

some kind of family showcase. N

oulder. "You don't need to impres

ietly, like saying it out

hia. "You're walki

walk her out, then I'm h

atically. "So it

"Mom's still at the restaura

d," Sophia added. "So

anning to,"

TV or burn anything while I'm

ou worry too mu

s to," i sa

erly this time. "You l

quietly i

you."

hone inside, checking it one last time. No new messag

careful."

ned. "I

ands lightly. "Alrig

ving room. I hesitated for a second, taking one last look around the house

be long

ed. "I'll

then turned back to me. "You'r

her out, the door clo

om inside the house fades away. My heels cl

, I was no longer