Elevator: Chance Encounter

Glamour and Gala: A Dress to Impress

Even through my earphones, the pounding of Lloyd and Jay's feet on the treadmill reverberated in the gym, making me feel decidedly less active in comparison. Determined to push myself, I increased the incline on my treadmill, seeking a more challenging workout. After a while, I decided to call it a day, feeling the burn in my muscles. I wiped down the treadmill meticulously, then headed to the locker room to grab my belongings. Changing out of my gym clothes seemed like too much effort, so I opted to head out as I was.

I enter the locker room, grabbing my gym bag and backpack. With a sigh, I peel off my hood, feeling the heat radiating off me and the exhaustion setting in. Downing the last of my water, I toss the empty bottle into the bin and start to make my way out. As I ascend the stairs, my mind racing with thoughts of making it on time, my hurried pace comes to an abrupt halt as my head collides with someone's chest.

As I stumble back, rubbing my forehead, I look up to see who I bumped into. It's Lloyd, his green eyes wide with surprise. "Whoa, sorry about that," he says, reaching out a hand to steady me. "Are you okay?" I nod, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "Yeah, I'm fine," I reply curtly, avoiding his gaze. "Just wasn't watching where I was going." Lloyd's expression shifts, a hint of confusion and hurt flickering across his features as he notices my distant demeanour. "Um, okay," he mumbles, retracting his hand awkwardly. "Well, take care then." With a nod of thanks, I quickly step around him and continue on my way, feeling the weight of the tension lingering between us.

As I step out of the gym, a sense of awkwardness lingers in the air, weighing down my thoughts. "Ugh, that was so awkward," I mutter to myself, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. But then again, a nagging voice in my mind reminds me of Lloyd's actions—or lack thereof. He hadn't mentioned being the green ninja, and he remained silent even when I accidentally revealed personal details. Was I being naïve to expect transparency from him? I shake my head in frustration, grappling with conflicting emotions. It's like his words and actions are at odds with each other, leaving me feeling uncertain and perplexed.

As I walk towards my next destination, a wave of empathy washes over me. Perhaps I've been too harsh on Lloyd. After all, he did open up about his identity and share personal stories when he was younger. Maybe he wasn't ready for me to know, and I unknowingly put him in an uncomfortable position. The realization weighs heavily on my conscience, and I find myself questioning my own actions. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship over a misunderstanding. With a sigh, I push aside my inner turmoil and focus on the task at hand—heading to my lecture.

The class seemed to drag on forever, but finally, it came to an end. I called my mom to pick me up, eager to shift my focus to dress shopping and away from my tangled thoughts about Lloyd. Standing outside in the parking lot, I checked the weather on my phone while waiting for her arrival. Suddenly, I heard booming music coming from a car, and I instantly recognized it as my mom's. Rolling my eyes playfully, I hopped into the car. "Must you blast your music so loudly?" I teased, to which she simply chuckled and waved off my comment. As we drove, she asked about my day, and I admitted that I had been quite distracted. "Do you want to talk about it?" she offered, but I shook my head, not quite ready to open up yet. She then tried to lift my spirits by mentioning the upcoming gala. "I'm sure you're excited for the gala," she said, reminiscing about my childhood obsession with dresses and knights. I smiled at the memory. "Yeah, definitely. I never thought I'd get the chance to attend such an event in normal society," I replied, feeling a spark of excitement reignite within me.

We arrived at our destination, stepping out of the car into a world of fancy shops adorned with dazzling lights that illuminated the streets. "Wow," I breathed out, taking in the sight before me. My mom's eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded in agreement. "I know, right?" she said, her voice filled with anticipation. We exchanged a knowing glance, our smiles reflecting our shared excitement. Linking our hands together, we embarked on our shopping adventure, ready to explore the treasures that awaited us in the glamorous world of high-end fashion.

We stepped into the first shop, greeted by the melodious ding of the door as it announced our arrival. The sight that greeted us was nothing short of breath-taking – rows upon rows of exquisite dresses adorned the racks, each one more captivating than the last. The soft glow of the lights caused some of the dresses to shimmer, captivating me like a child in a candy store. There's just something about being surrounded by all this beauty that makes me feel alive.

As we perused the dresses, a friendly saleswoman approached us with a warm smile. "Hi there, do you need any assistance?" she offered kindly. My mom returned her smile, replying, "Hello, not just yet, thank you. We're just browsing for now." With a nod, the saleswoman drifted away to assist other customers.

My mom's fingers danced over a dress on the rack, lifting it up for my consideration. I couldn't help but cringe slightly at the sight. "Hmm, not my style," I remarked, shaking my head. My mom quickly returned the dress to its place, understanding my preference.

Venturing further into the shop, we stumbled upon the back section where the most stunning dresses awaited. And that's when I saw it – the perfect dress. A long, flowing emerald green gown caught my eye, its silky fabric shimmering under the lights. With a smirk, I declared, "Oh yeah, this is definitely the one." My mom examined it with a nod of approval. "I agree, very classy and elegant. Go ahead, try it on," she urged, nudging me towards the changing rooms.

Slipping into the emerald green dress felt like stepping into a dream. As I stood before the mirror and caught sight of my reflection, I couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. The dress hugged my curves in all the right places, accentuating my figure in a way that left me breathless. With each twirl and spin, the fabric swirled around me like a cascade of elegance, casting a spell of enchantment over me.

Pulling back the changing room curtains, I was met with my mom's awestruck expression. "Wow, hun," she breathed, her eyes lighting up with admiration. Without hesitation, she ushered me into a little runway of sorts, urging me to showcase every angle of the dress. "That dress is made for you," she declared, her hand gently patting the fabric in approval.

"I know, right? It's absolutely stunning," I agreed, unable to contain my excitement. My mom beamed at me, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Oh, you will definitely catch someone's eye at the gala," she remarked, her words laced with certainty and hope.