Dragonstone Tablet

A Story :: Pool Party Panic

Patrish stared glumly at the closet, its cavernous maw mocking her indecision. "Put on that party dress!" Mariah, ever the optimist, bounced on the bed, her voice laced with excitement. "Devin's finally throwing a bash after forever, and you can't tell me you're not excited."

Patrish sighed, running a hand through her sleep-tousled hair. "Excited? Maybe. But comfortable? Absolutely not."

Mariah hopped off the bed and padded over, peering into the closet. "Comfortable? Patrish, it's a pool party! Sequins and feathers are practically mandatory."

Patrish pulled out a pair of comfy jeans. "Exactly! Sequins by the pool are an accident waiting to happen. Plus, everyone will be in their best summer bodies, and here I am..." she trailed off, gesturing down at herself with a self-deprecating laugh.

Mariah swatted her arm playfully. "Nonsense! You look fantastic. Besides, Devin wouldn't care. He throws these parties for the company, not a swimsuit competition."

But the seed of doubt was sown. "What if he does?" Patrish's voice was barely a whisper.

Mariah's smile softened. "Then he's an idiot. Devin's a great guy, but he definitely has a blind spot when it comes to you. You're way too hung up on being perfect in his eyes."

Patrish's cheeks flushed a little. It was true. Devin had been her best friend since childhood, confidante, shoulder to cry on, and somewhere along the way, those feelings had morphed into something more. Something she was terrified to voice.

Mariah held up a shimmering emerald dress, its fabric catching the light like a mermaid's scales. "This! Put this on. It'll make you feel like a million bucks, and who knows? Maybe tonight's the night Devin finally sees you the way you deserve."

Patrish hesitated, the familiar fear threatening to drown out the spark of hope Mariah had ignited. Then, a small smile played on her lips. "Alright, alright. But if I end up face-planting into the pool, it's on you."

Mariah whooped and helped her into the dress. The emerald hugged Patrish's curves in a way that surprised even her. As she admired her reflection in the mirror, a newfound confidence bloomed within her. It wasn't just the dress, though that certainly helped. It was the shift in perspective Mariah had nudged her towards.

Maybe tonight wouldn't be about impressing Devin or anyone else. Maybe tonight, she'd focus on feeling good in her own skin, on having fun with her best friend, and on reclaiming the joy that had been missing from her life lately. She'd spent too long waiting for Devin to see her worth, and Mariah was right. It was time she saw it for herself.

Empowered by a newfound determination, Patrish grabbed her sandals and headed out the door. The pool party was just the first step. Tonight, she was ready to face the night, the pool, and maybe even her own heart. Who knew what awaited her? But for the first time in a long time, Patrish felt a thrill of anticipation, a sense that tonight might just be the start of something new.

WORD COUNT: 510 Words
PROMPT: WHAT'S HER STORY?
14. Put on that party dress!

GERVIC
I am an author @ Writing.com!
http://www.Writing.Com/main/my_account.php?rfrid=gervic


Proud member of:
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 
"Invalid Item" 
"RAOK Upgrade Brigade Group" 
"SIMPLY POSITIVE GROUP" 
"Contest Central Station"