The Inconspicious Twist of Fate

C10

Entering Flashback:

Isolde stood in front of her mirror, her hands clutching her thighs, pulling them to the back so they appeared smaller. She scowled, slowly tracing her way upwards, fingers grazing against the stretch marks on her glutes then sinking into the dips of her hips.

It was Valentines. Isolde had spent the entire day sitting at her window, watching as cars parked before her neighbors' houses. She gazed as boys picked up their dolled up girlfriends, with smiles of awe on their faces, or as parents left their children in the hands of babysitters and headed out for fancy dinners.

Isolde had turned her father's offer for dinner out down, claiming she was perfectly satisfied with being alone and staying in. But as she tugged at her purple lace underwear while she criticized her reflection, she couldn't help but feel this hollowness.

In an attempt to fill the aching void, she weaved through her room in the darkness and picked out the dress her mother had bought her, the one she kept for special occasions.

The floral beige dress slipped onto her like silk against her skin, stopping not much higher than midway at her thighs. She then challengingly glared at the black corset that came with hit, preparing herself for a battle she'd once already participated in. After a good fifteen minutes, she'd finally managed to strap it up, huffing as she stretched her aching arms.

Then, she resumed her place before the mirror, proceeding to scrutinize herself.

The hours were slowly ticking by. It was two hours to midnight, two hours before this day was finally over.

A soft knock came at Isolde's door, before her father spoke in a hushed tone.

"Can I come in?" He asked.

Isolde pulled open the door, flicking the lights on. Her father was taken by surprise, seeing his daughter dressed up at this hour, but a smile tugged at his lips nonetheless.

"Were you planning in going somewhere?"

Isolde shook her head no, moving to sit on her bed.

"Well, it's convenient that you're already dressed up." Sebastien said. "The boys are waiting for you outside. They asked if you wanted to grab dinner with them."

"What?" She couldn't help but lower. "But they've both got dates for Valentines-" she closed her mouth before she could express herself out loud anymore.

She stood, grabbing a jean jacket off her stool before marching out into the night. There indeed, under the warm light of lampposts, was parked Octavius's car. The windows were all rolled up, but she could still see more than 2 shadows moving about inside.

She wore her blank mask, going round to stand at the driver's door. She knocked twice and the window rolled down.

Octavius stared at her wide eyed while she scanned his passengers. Riding shotgun was Aspen Gallagher in the flesh, the girl Octavius spoke about back at Atlas's place last week. She was wearing a green dress to match her green eyes, an envious contrast to her tanned skin and fawn hair. In the back seat, Atlas sat red in the face, with another boy whom she didn't recognize. He had his hand placed firmly on Atlas's thigh as he nonchalantly smirked at her blond friend.

"H-hey Isolde." Octavius spoke, diverting the others attention to her figure outside the car.
"Are you up for some dinner?" 

She blinked at him, tearing her eyes away from Aspen's as the latter stared back with the same intensity.

"You mean fifth wheeling?" She deadpanned, catching Octavius off guard. His brows shot up and his jaw hung loose.

"No! No." He said after regaining composure. "Adam has to catch the train back to the city, and Aspen has a sleepover to get to."