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TONIGHT WAS supposed to be a masterpiece, a flawless execution of months of planning. She and Jackie, her partner in crime and chaos, had envisioned this mixer as the social event of the season.
Now, as the clock ticked closer to the start time, she was running late—an irony not lost on her.
The pressure to maintain appearances, to always be "on," grated on her nerves.
"Princess! Almost ready to grace us with your presence?" Her father's voice, laced with affection, echoed from the staircase.
"Coming, Dad!" She calls back, grabbing a soft cardigan as she left her room.
The final touches of makeup, the careful selection of her outfit—it all felt like a performance.
As she descended the stairs, a wave of self-consciousness washed over her as her family's eyes turned her way.
Lucy, her older sister, broke the silence with a playful jab. "Took you long enough. Any later and we would've left you."
"Luce, darling, I know you wouldn't." She retorted, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Some things just can't be rushed."
"You look beautiful, baby girl." Her mother said, her voice warm and reassuring. She kissed her daughter's head, a familiar gesture that always brought comfort. "But we need to leave now, or Jackie will actually kill us. Let's go."
"May I escort you, Mademoiselle?" Her father extended his arm with a flourish.
"You may, kind sir." She took his arm, leaning into his side as they walked towards the car.
As they piled into the car, a sense of urgency filled the air. They were on a mission to get to the mixer as quickly as possible, navigating the streets with a mix of caution and determination.
"I love you guys." She blurted out, interrupting her father's off-key singing. All eyes turned to her, a mix of surprise and affection on their faces. "I just...without your support, Jackie and I wouldn't have been able to pull this off. So, thank you."
