Work Text:
My shower playlist is blasting loud as I turn the water off. I step out of the tub, opening the door to my bedroom to dry off and get ready. Humming while the last song plays, I pull out the outfit I had planned for something casual, but cute. I’m halfway into the shirt when I hear it.
“Darling, are you really going to wear that?”
I nearly fall over, “AMIR! Can you not sneak up on me when I’m half dressed?”
“Im literally mounted to the wall,” he says while leaning against the bathroom sink, his glassy surface gleaming. “If you’re surprised, thats on you.”
I roll my eyes, “Its a nice outfit.”
“It’s fine, but Sam isn’t fine. Sam is...poetry. You should wear something darker. Add a little mystery. Maybe a velvet touch. Or a cape.”
“A cape? Im not wearing a cape to my first date in like...forever.”
Before Amir can argue, Bathsheba cuts in to our conversation. “Ugh,” she groans. “You’re really wearing that shirt?”
I look down at the shirt, “What’s wrong with this one?”
“You wore that when you ugly cried on betty for six hours after that emotionally unavailable buffoon ghosted you.”
“Ok, that was one time-”
“Still smells like heartbreak,” bathsheba mutters.
I start to argue, but Betty chimes in, soft and warm.
“I think the colors nice,” she says, “It brings out your eyes.”
“See?” I say, smiling a little. “Thank you, Betty. At least someone has taste and is nice to my outfit choices.”
“But,” she adds, “maybe not those shoes. They squeak.”
I look down at my shoes...they do squeak. “Seriously!” Jean-loo yells from inside the bathroom. The door swings open like a dramatic reveal, “You sound like a panicked duck every time you walk. You wanna make Sam fall in love or fall over laughing?”
“I was trying to be comfortable,” I mutter.
“Fashion isnt about comfort!” Amit shouts.
“Tell that to my spine,” Betty says.
I flop down on the edge of the bed with a groan. “Can’t I just wear what I want without everyone judging me?”
They all fall quiet for a second. Then Betty says gently, “Of course. Its your date. You should feel good in what you wear.”
“Even if its cursed,” Bathsheba adds.
I laugh. “Thanks, guys.”
I change the shoes, fix my hair in front of Amir (he gives me a nod of approval) and finally, I feel good. I throw on my jacket and head for the door. When I open it, Sam’s already waiting outside.
They smile the second they see me. “Wow. You look amazing.”
Behind me, I hear a whisper, “Told you so.”
I smile back at Sam, feeling a little nervous...but a lot more ready.
"Hi," I say.
"Hi," they say back.
And just like that, the date begins.