Slow It Down

Part 2 •REWRITTEN•

I shift uncomfortably in the fitted black crop top and high-waisted jeans she made me wear. The outfit is definitely more revealing than I'm used to, but it's not nearly as bad as the heels she convinced me to put on. I wobble slightly, still trying to adjust, already regretting not wearing my usual sneakers. I've never been great at walking in them, and I can already tell I'll be dying by the end of the night.

I sigh, adjusting the hem of my shirt. "I still don't see why I have to go."

Natalie rolls her eyes. "Because, Lilah, you just moved here. You need to live a little. You're starting fresh. No more being stuck in your old routine. This is your chance to actually do something fun for once."

I hesitate, staring at myself a little longer. The girl looking back at me doesn't feel like me.

Her hair is styled. Her makeup is light but enhances everything just enough to make her look like she belongs at a college party. Her green eyes are lined with dark brown winged eyeliner that's blended to soften the look. Her lips have a neutral reddish pink gloss on them. The outfit is different from my usual leggings and oversized sweater, and for once, I don't look invisible.

I look like someone else.

Like a girl who belongs at a party instead of someone who should be hiding in her apartment with a book.

"See?" Natalie says, stepping beside me. "You look hot."

I glance in the mirror beside me at her reflection, and I can only roll my eyes. She looks like a literal model. I roll my eyes. "I look different."

"Same thing. Stop overthinking it."

I exhale, finally giving in. "Fine. But if I get there and hate it, we're leaving early." I repeat myself from earlier so she knows I'm serious.

Natalie grins. "Deal."

"Let's get going!" Kayce's voice shouts from the living room, and with one last sigh, I follow Natalie out of my bedroom.

When we reach him, he's already holding his car keys, ready to go. He glances over at us, but nearly does a double take when he sees me. "Damn little sis, you actually might need Natalie to fight off some guys tonight." He jokes.

I roll my eyes knowing all too well that no guy will ever talk to me, let alone think of me in that way. I still see myself as the outcast in high school.

Natalie smiles, taking claim of the finished result. "What about me? How do I look?" She does a slow twirl, and I nearly laugh when I see the look on my brother's face.

"Maybe you won't have to worry about any guys approaching you after all." Kayce says, heading towards the door. He glances over his shoulder. "Not if you'll be near her, at least." He motions towards Natalie with his head.

A laugh leaves my mouth and at the same time I hear an audible gasp. Her face turns into a scowl, and as we head out to Kayce's car, the all too familiar banter between them begins.

I cancel their bickering out with my own thoughts. The entire drive I second-guess myself. Everything happening is the opposite of who I am and what I enjoy doing.

I'm an introvert. I like hanging out with my brother and my best friend, that's it. I like not having any attention on me. I like being in my comfort zone, and everything planned.

But here I am, uncomfortable, in heels and makeup, suddenly on my way to a party. Which means I'll be far from alone.

I'm not a party person. I don't drink. I don't dance. I don't do spontaneous things.

When we pull up to the house, Kayce parks a few houses down from the party, the street already lined with cars. The moment I step out of the car, the distant thump of bass pulses through the pavement beneath my feet.