SHE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL. As beautiful as ever — if anything, beautiful would be an understatement to how Isabel Park looked in her dress.
The fabric was blue — dark blue, like the midnight sky — and it was decorated with silver sparkles that coated the dress that shone under the light. Her jewelry was silver, just like the glitter, and her heels was the same shade.
Her hair was straightened and put into a half up—half down style with a flowy, black bow. Her eye make up was simple; black, winged eyeliner, mascara and white, shimmering highlighter in the corner of her eyes and her lip was a bold, crimson shade that complimented her features perfectly.
Never in Issy's life had she felt so... pretty. Her heart swelled with happiness and gratefulness. Finally, an outfit she'd looked forward to wearing and hoped would look good on her did. Her hopes and prayers came true.
"Issy," The girl heard her mother softly call out to her, opening her bedroom door to inform her daughter that her date — Jake Sim — was waiting for her, however before she got the chance to utter anything else, the women stood, awestruck, her jaw slightly dropped at the sight of her daughter.
"Oh, Issy..." Jihye breathed out, raising her arm to cover her mouth whilst heading over to the girl in the mirror. "You look beautiful." She complimented, hugging Isabel from behind — which only made an giggle escape her lips.
"Thanks, mum." She smiled, turning around to face her mother. "Thank you for everything."
Isabel watched as her mothers eyes glimmered with tears, her lip quivering as she placed her hands on the side of her daughters face; brushing her hair behind her ear as she nodded her head.
"I will always be here for you, Isabel, always. No matter what, okay?" The older women sniffled, causing Issy's eyes to well up also.
"Mum..." Isabel whined, pouting her lips and lifting her head to the ceiling. "You're going to make me ruin my makeup." She chuckled out, desperately trying not to allow the tears of happiness and love to fall.
"I can't help it, my daughter has grown up to be a beautiful young lady, not just the outside, but the inside also." She stated, warmly grinning at the girl. "Jake is so lucky to have you, Issy — now, come on, your date is waiting for you."
Instantly, Isabel felt a wave of her nerves fill her stomach at the thought of seeing Jake.
What if he didn't think she looked pretty?
She let out a sigh, clearing her mind to prevent her from overthinking, whilst she nodded her head, interlocking her fingers with her mother as they exited her bedroom and continued down the hallway filled with family portraits.
She was finally going to experience the moment she'd wanted to experience for the last four years.
She could hear and feel her younger self screaming with excitement inside of her as she neared the stairs, her cheeks heating up with fluster.
And, as Isabel began to take careful step down the steps, her heart pounding against her chest, she immediately felt herself hold her breath as the sight of him, her true love, Jake Sim came into her vision.
He looked as perfect as ever in his suit.
His black, silk shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the top, revealing his his prominent collarbones and his blazer was black and so were his trousers. Simple, yet so charming, and his raven hair sat effortlessly flawless on his head, complimenting his red, plump lips that were now parted as his eyes landed on Isabel.
There he stood, her brothers best friend, Jake Sim, at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for his best friends sister, Isabel Park.
"You look gorgeous..." The boy uttered out, staring at her in amazement as he placed his hand on Issy's waist, kissing her lips, gently.
"I could say the same for you." The younger girl teased, smirking up at the boy, whose tongue poked the inside of his cheek as he smirked back, pulling her close.
"Come on, we'll be late otherwise." Niki spoke up, breaking the tension-filled moment as he headed over to the front door with a dolled up Miso under his arm; Jay following closely behind as he was their chauffeur for the night.
"No later than eleven, alright, Jake?" Issy's father ordered, placing a firm hand on the boys shoulder, making him nod his head.
"Yes, sir." Jake chuckled out, bowing ever so slightly to the older man, before he and Isabel followed after Niki, Miso and Jay, climbing into Jay's car where they were then driven to the school.
✿
Once arriving, the loud beats of the music could be heard from outside the building, and the flashing lights that were in the gymnasium were peering through the windows, lighting up to school's car park.
There were white and blue balloons presented at the entrance and once the group entered the building (bidding their goodbyes to Jay before), they stared in awe at the decoration that had been done.
Balloons scattered the spacious floor, and circular tables that had a white cloth covering them were dotted around the room; some people sitting at them, welling in their pity as they watched dates dance together. White confetti, that was used to resemble snow, roamed the floor and bubbles from the bubble machine the school had hired consumed the ceiling. The music was blaring, yet enjoyable as it played all of the latest hits.
It was a magical experience and Issy couldn't help but grin wildly like a kid in a candy store.
Students were enjoying themselves, and without hesitation, Isabel gently squeezed Jake's hand before pulling him over to the drinks stand, where Jake then poured them both a glass of punch that was made by the school.
"I'm really grateful that you asked me to take you here, Isabel." Jake mentioned, his eyes falling on her as he couldn't help but hide his smile; his gums showing and making Issy's stomach swirl.
She'd never get over his smile.
"I'm grateful you accepted," She softly chuckled, taking a sip from her cup as she felt her cheeks begin to heat; images of the activities they were doing when she'd asked him playing through her head. "It would've been embarrassing if you rejected me."
"I'd never reject you, Issy, no matter what." He stated, shrugging his shoulders a little and placing his drink to the side, before he took hold of the shorter girls hand, bringing her closer to him. "You mean everything to me, you know that, right? You're everything — you're my world."
Subconsciously, Issy bit down of her bottom lip, butterflies flying about in her stomach as her eyes looked away from his, landing on everything but him.
He really did know how to make her nervous.
Suddenly, the lights in the hall dimmed and Bruno Mars' 'Just the way you are' began playing through the speakers, quickly causing those who weren't at the dance with a date to scatter, leaving the dance floor open to the ones that were.
"Can I have this dance, Isabel Park?" The Sim boy politely asked, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips, which caused Jssy to mustered a laugh and nod her head in acceptance.
It wasn't long before the couple had their arms wrapped around each other; her arms around his neck, pulling him close and his around her waist, his thumb gently brushing against her body.
Never in Isabel's life did she think she would willingly want to attended her schools Winterball. She'd heard all kinds of horror stories about it and how it was the night girls ended up losing their virginity, or getting pregnant, and how boys would drunk off their faces, slurring around the the area.
It was a scene that never appealed to her until she had Jake to herself — until Jake Sim was finally hers.
"I love you, Isabel." Jake softly announced, brushing his lips against the girls neck, making goosebumps form on her skin as she delicately turned his head to look at her.
"I love you too, Jake." She replied and the couple leaned in, kissing one another deeply with love and admiration.
She was happy.
He was happy.
They were both happy, and that's all that mattered.
When they pulled away, Jake was quickly to nuzzle his head back in to crook of her neck, planting gently kissed across her skin, whilst Isabel turned her head, glancing over at her best friend who was dancing with Miso.
The two shared eye contact; Niki playfully winking at the older girl, which only made her giggle and shake her head, before he put his thumb up, a smirk evident on his lips.
She was happy they both ended up with someone they loved dearly.
They both got their happy ending.
✿