Hard Boy ✔️

46

- Enchanted (Taylor's Version); Taylor Swift -
- 18; One Direction -

Aurora Holland

Mesmerizing. That's what the gymnasium looked like as we entered, Layla and Bailey on either side of me. Cameron and Griffin lingered behind us, talking about whatever it was they usually did.

The decorations were beautiful, and if I knew who spent all this time making the boring gymnasium look this good, I'd complement their work. It really did pay off, as I found myself calmed down as I focused on the streamers and the giant shimmery disco ball in the center.

"I heard the punch was spiked this year," Layla said from my left, Bailey smiling over at her from my right.

"Wanna go see?"

Layla agreed awfully quickly, looking down at me. "I'll be okay," I assured her. "You guys go ahead, I'm going to get a good look at everything."

"We'll be right over there if you need us," Layla said as she wrapped her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. 

Bailey sent me a wave, and I watched as the two made their way over to the little makeshift bar.

I don't have a very good view from where I'm standing, but from what I can see it seems like there's a good selection of drinks and snacks set out for everyone.

Music blared through the giant set of speakers, a DJ standing behind them. It was just like you'd see in the movies - headphones around the neck, spinning the record track, bobbing his head to the music.

My hands grabbed at my dress, making sure it was pulled low enough. I felt insecure, especially by the looks I got from other people. I did my best to ignore them, but it was really hard when it was more attention than I'm used to getting.

I don't know if it's good or bad attention as well, that's what makes it worse. At Point Prep, I knew any attention I got was bad. Here, I'm left in the dark. I never know whether what's going to be said is an insult or a compliment, and that alone is enough to scare me.

Looking to my left, I watched as more people entered the gym. I watched as Logan walked in, the girl I briefly met by the name of Alexa under his arm.

They were best friends, from what I remember, making it make sense that they'd attend homecoming together. Z and Naia followed after, the yellow dress hugging Naia's curves standing out dramatically.

It was a beautiful dress, and I felt envious because I know I'll never be able to pull off that color the way she does.

My eyes roamed around the room, looking to see who I recognized. I immediately noticed Ashley, Kaya, Kaya's little sister Sarah, and the two girls I constantly see with Ashley. Their names are Gwen and Maya, from what I've gathered. They all danced in a circle, people surrounding them as if they were the main attraction.

I wish I were confident in that way.

Toward the speakers, I saw Paige. She looked beautiful - as she usually did. She danced with Lila and Eliana as if she didn't have a care in the world, that same squinted eye smile covering her beautiful features.

Familiar feelings of jealousy coursed through my body, despite how much I tried to shrug them away. This was supposed to be a night of fun, yet so far all I've done is sit here and judge how horrible I look compared to all of these girls.

I can't help it. When I've grown up getting tossed around like my feelings mean nothing, frowned upon by most classmates - it's like second nature to hate on myself. Although some people here do find things like that competition, it really isn't. I shouldn't think one of us is better than the other, but I do. I think all of those girls on the floor are much better than me in many ways.