The Christmas Party

I changed my outfit at least four times before deciding to settle on the first outfit I'd put on tonight: heels, tight-fitting dress pants, a button-up blouse, and a stylish blazer. I stood in front of the full length mirror in my apartment and studied my reflection. I'd wrapped up hair in a half bun and curled bottom half. I'd applied more makeup that I usually wore, opting for a smoky-eye look instead of the usual eye liner wing and a coat of dull red lipstick.

Is this what people wore to company parties? Would I be overdressed? Underdressed? Oh God, why did I even agree to this thing. It would have been so much simpler to just ditch like always and take the hit of not being considered for the Master's project. That all seemed so much simpler than getting dressed up for a stupid holiday company party.

I leaned in closer to the mirror and inspected my makeup one more time. I wished my sister was here: she was a makeup wizard.

"Get it together, Jisoo," I commanded myself. My heart was beating erratically in my chest but my head was buzzing so much I couldn't pinpoint exactly why I felt so nervous. I grabbed my phone and asked Jennie if she was ready.

Jennie: Yes I am. I'm ready whenever you are.

Me: Great! I'll head out then. See you in fifteen.

I pulled on a heavy coat and made my way to the Kim apartment. The closer I got, the harder my heart pounded in my chest and my stomach felt like it was filled with helium. I tried to pick at my new painted nails on the drive over.

When I arrived at their apartment complex, I sat in my car for a few minutes before I found the courage to get out. I shook my head and pulled my coat tighter around my body. It was just a party. It was just Jennie. Tonight would be fun and I had nothing to worry about.

"Let's do this," I muttered, then knocked on the door.

Taehyung greeted me at the door and beckoned me inside. He had his camera hanging from his neck. I eyed it.

"I'm obviously going to take pictures of you two."

"Taehyung," I protested.

"Nope, no excuses. JENNIE!" Taehyung called down the apartment. "Jisoo is here!"

Jennie came out of her room; she took my breath away. She wore black high heels and a red dress with a slit in the side. She wore a beautiful gold necklace that wrapped around her neck several times before dipping down with a diamond. Her hair was curled and she wore bright red lipstick.

I forgot how to breathe.

Taehyung snapped the camera and the sound of the camera's shutter made me blink and remember to breathe. I looked at Taehyung.

"Did you just take a picture of me?"

"I did. I wanted to capture the moment you saw Jennie." Taehyung winked and I felt my face heating up. I was glad I was wearing more foundation than usual. I looked back to Jennie.

"You look... Wow. Soojoo is going to be pissed," I joked with a wide grin that I hoped would cover how incredibly nervous I felt.

Jennie smiled like a sly fox. "That was the plan."

"Okay, let me get a few pictures," Taehyung said and shuffled us over to the Christmas tree. He pulled off my coat and scarf, positioned us in from of the brightly decorated tree, and stepped back to get a good shot.

He took a few photos of us smiling side-by- side before demanding we act like we liked each other. I stepped closer to Jennie and wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close. She leaned in close to me and put her hand on my chest. My heart was beating so fast I was worried Jennie would feel it.