3.

My hands reached back to the zipper of my dress, fingers trembling slightly as I looked at myself in the mirror. The reflection stared back, and I straightened out the already perfect lines of the gown Jenna had picked for me. I looked good, but the dress felt like a shroud, a reminder of the person I was trying to escape.

Staring harder into my own eyes, I tried to shake off the memories creeping in, the darkness that lingered just beneath the surface. There was no need for my broken self to resurface; I didn’t want to be her anymore. I had a new beginning, a chance to rewrite my story.

With a determined huff, I unzipped the gown and stripped out of the light fabric, tossing it aside. It felt liberating to shed that weight, and I slipped into my casual clothes—a simple shirt and jeans. As I gripped the doorknob tightly, I twisted it open, ready to face whatever awaited me outside.

But what I found made my heart sink. Lucas was there, his lips pressed against a blonde’s face, lost in a moment that was anything but innocent. The hollow feeling stirred in my gut, twisting like a knife. I shouldn’t have cared. I shouldn’t have felt anything at all. I didn’t even like him—at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

Okay, maybe I had a minor crush on him, but that didn’t justify the rush of jealousy that surged through me. I barely knew him, and for the sake of lovely power, I had just met him today. Why was I allowing this to affect me?

I stood frozen for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of disbelief and confusion swirling inside me. The laughter and chatter of the party faded into the background as I tried to comprehend what I was witnessing. Wasn’t this what I wanted? To distance myself from the past? To let go?

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to turn away, feeling foolish for even allowing my thoughts to spiral. I was better than this. I didn’t need Lucas or anyone else to define my worth.

But as I stepped back into the dimly lit hallway, a part of me couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder. Their laughter echoed, light and carefree, and something tightened in my chest. I pushed the thought aside, forcing myself to move forward. I would not allow this moment to pull me back into the shadows.

As I walked away, I felt a flicker of determination igniting within me. I was more than a passing fancy, more than someone’s momentary distraction. I was reclaiming my narrative, and I wouldn’t let a moment of weakness deter me from that path.

But still, a question lingered—what was it about Lucas that made me question everything I thought I had left behind?

As we drove back to the pack house, the silence in the car felt heavy. I glanced sideways at Lucas, who was focused on the road. The streetlights cast a soft glow on his face, and I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked, even if he was still on my mind in a tangled mess.

The tension from earlier gnawed at my insides, but I pushed it aside, reminding myself that I didn't have any claim over him. A minor crush, I had told myself—nothing more.

When we finally pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the hollow feeling that had settled in my stomach. The pack house loomed ahead, familiar and comforting.

As I stepped out of the car, I noticed my mother waiting by the door, her excitement radiating through her as she comes towards me and snatches the bag from my hand and takes out dress. Crimson chews my cheeks as I embarrassedly held her elbow and calls out.

"Mom!" My eyes must be wide because my father, step father smiles and shakes his head. But the smile doesn't erase the aura he carries.

"Hush, this looks so good!"

"Thanks, Mom," I replied, forcing a smile as she rushed me into the pack house, her eyes sparkling with pride.

“Oh, sweetie, I can’t believe how beautiful you will look in that!” she gushed, taking my hands in hers. “That color is just perfect for your skin tone. You have to wear it to the ball tonight; it will make everyone turn their heads!”

I blushed slightly at her enthusiasm, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth. “I just… I don’t know if it’s really me,” I said, glancing down at the dress.

“Nonsense!” my mother insisted, her excitement unwavering. “You will look like a princess! Just wait until everyone sees you! Come on, let’s get you ready.”

Before I could protest, she took my arm and led me into the house. The familiar scents of home enveloped me, a mix of sweet vanilla and pine. I felt my heart race with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

Once inside, Jenna appeared from the kitchen, her hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. “Hey! I heard you’re going to the ball! I’m here to help!” she announced with a grin.

“Jenna, you don’t have to—” I started to say, but she was already pulling me toward the staircase.

“Of course I do! You need to look absolutely flawless. This is a big night!” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

As we reached my room, Jenna began rummaging through my makeup and accessories. “Okay, first things first. We need to do something about your hair,” she declared, pulling out a curling wand. “A little volume will go a long way.”

I sank into a chair as she worked, her hands deftly curling my hair. I tried to relax, letting the familiar banter between us fill the air. “So, what do you think of Lucas?” Jenna asked, glancing over her shoulder with a teasing smile.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “He’s… nice,” I said, trying to downplay the flutter in my stomach.

“Nice? Just nice?” Jenna laughed, her tone playful. “I saw the way you looked at him when he walked in. You have it bad, don’t you?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile. “It’s nothing, really. Just a crush,” I insisted, though part of me wondered if it was more than that.

Once Jenna finished curling my hair, she turned me to face the mirror. “Wow! You look amazing! Now, let’s pick out some accessories to complete the look!”

As I searched through my collection of jewelry, my mother appeared in the doorway with a long silver necklace and matching earrings. “These will be perfect, dear! Just the right amount of sparkle,” she said, her eyes shining with pride.

With my mother’s help, I slipped on the dress again, and we carefully added the final touches. I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. The girl staring back at me was radiant, her confidence shining through the carefully styled hair and elegant attire.

“See? You’re going to steal the show tonight!” Jenna said, beaming with satisfaction.

I felt a thrill of excitement, mingled with nerves, as I realized this night could be a turning point for me. Maybe tonight would be the night I finally stepped out of the shadows and embraced who I truly was.

As we finished getting ready, I felt the anticipation building. The ball was going to be magical, and for the first time, I felt ready to face whatever awaited me.