Family, Friends & Mannequins

New Fabrications (Natasha's POV)

With that thought in mind, I stepped into a hot shower, savoring my "Everything shower" day. I went through my entire cleansing routine and emerged feeling squeaky clean. I opted for a white tank top and a pair of fitted jeans, deciding to let my wet hair air dry. At this point, it was pretty clear who the lazier one was between Lily and me, and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

As I was getting ready, Queen Lily's alarm went off. She was already prepared to conquer her day with a quick 5-minute shower, minimal makeup, a crop top, and cargo pants with her natural curls. I had to give it to her; she got ready in no time and managed to look better than me.

My wavy hair was nearly dried when Lily dragged me out of our rooms.

Lily and I grab some to-go coffee as we made our way to the first and most crucial class of the day: Professor Pearl's. Sometimes, it feels intentional and sadistic to get his classes assigned so early in the morning when they know students struggle to wake up on time. It was no secret how much he detests tardiness.

It suddenly hit me like a truck that I had to meet with Professor Pearl after class, sending me back into anxious mode.

"Hey guys!" someone yelled, calling out to me and Lily. We both turned around to find Jason running and panting.

"Hi Jason, good morning," I greeted him, taking out my water bottle from my bag and handing it to him.

Jason chugged down my entire bottle of water. "Thanks, Natasha," he said, still panting a bit. "What happened, Jason? Why are you running?" Lily asked.

"Professor Pearl, his class," he said between breaths. "But we're going there too, and there's still time, you don't need to run," Lily reassured Jason.

"No, it's not that. Before the class, I actually had to visit the cafeteria. We're having a meeting there," he explained. "What kind of meeting, Jason?"

"Don't you know? The Dance Night. The university has a Dance Night every year, so we have to do all the preparations for it. I'm part of the design team," he said.

"Okay, I gotta run now, or I'll be late for both," he said before rushing ahead of us.

"Wow, Dance Night! How cool!" Lily expressed her excitement as we continued walking towards class.

"I don't even think I can make it, I don't even know a guy who would be ready to with me, and apart from that I have zero interest in such events," I said expressing my displeasure in this entire Dance concept

"What are you even saying? I am going to attend it one thousand percent" Lily says as she is already mentally there

"Too bad professors may not come there," I said, teasing Lily.

"Where?" I heard a voice beside me. I facepalmed mentally as I saw Professor Pearl. "Professors may not come where?" he asked with curiosity.

I stuttered as I replied, "Umm, Professor, actually... to the Dance—"

"Event Meeting!" Lily interjected smoothly. "The Dance Night event meeting. It's being held by the organizing team."

The professor looked down with both hands in his pockets and nodded at our explanation. "I actually wanted to talk to the class about this," he said as he assumed his teaching position.

"Guys, something important!" he announced to all the students, and everyone settled down in class a few minutes before the class officially started.

"As many of you may know, one of the most significant events at our university, the dance night, is going to happen soon. Most of you guys are going to be attending it, and it's very obvious that more than the event itself, it's about how people are going to look and what they are going to wear," Professor Pearl explained, hinting at something exciting. "Now, we all know the best outfits and looks get famous all over social media and are featured on the university website. So, this year, I want you guys to wear outfits designed by you," he concluded.

The professor's statement left everyone in the class flabbergasted, and a wave of murmurs swept through the room upon hearing this significant announcement. Representing the fashion department at the dance night was a huge responsibility, and it was clear that everyone was surprised by the proposal.

"Quiet!" Professor Pearl yelled, successfully silencing the room. "Professor, this is a very big responsibility. We're basically representing the entire department by doing it, and it's only been three months since we started studying here," Sarah, another student in our chaotic class, voiced her concerns. "Aren't we covering all of this by now?"

"You're all here because, by now, you've been taught how to design and make a basic dress. This is one of the most significant opportunities to showcase whatever you've learned so far and represent our department at its best," he continued, running his fingers back through his hair as he addressed Sarah directly, leaving her somewhat intimidated.