10
Hazel
I stood frozen in front of the mirror, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of the green Tinkerbell dress. I felt like an imposter. The fabric clung to my stomach, and the glittery wings on my back felt ridiculous. My reflection stared back at me, critical and unkind. Why did I let Nevaeh talk me into this? I thought, my chest tightening. I tried to argue, but Nevaeh’s confidence always bulldozed over my insecurities. Now, I couldn’t stop seeing everything I hated about myself. The dress was too short, showing more of my legs than I was comfortable with, and every flaw I ignored felt magnified under the harsh lighting. I don’t have the right body for this. My thighs look huge. My thoughts spiraled. I tugged at the neckline, trying to cover more skin, but it was hopeless.
“Wow, Hazel. You look amazing.” Maisie said, stepping into the room in her Supergirl costume. Her cape flowed behind her, and the bold red and blue suit fit her athletic figure. Her confidence made me ache with envy. “You really do.”
I gave her a weak smile.
“Thanks, Mase. You’re stunning.”
She stepped closer, her brows furrowing as she caught me fidgeting.
“If you don’t feel comfortable, why not change? It’s not like you have to wear that. You should feel good about yourself tonight.”
I opened my mouth to respond, my fingers still tugging at the too-tight fabric, but before I could get a word out, the door swung open again.
“We’re running late!” Nevaeh’s voice rang out as she strutted into the room, her heels clinking against the floor.I turned to look at her, and my stomach sank. She looked stunning, as always. Her sleek Catwoman costume hugged every curve, the glossy material catching the light in all the right places. She had styled her hair effortlessly. She exuded confidence, her posture straight and commanding, a pro at owning any room she walked into. Nevaeh glanced in the mirror as she adjusted the cat's ears perched on her head. “We don’t have time to change, Hazel. We need to leave now .” She said, not even glancing at me.
My lips pressed together as I turned back to my reflection. My stomach twisted as I caught sight of myself next to Nevaeh. I looked plain and awkward, like the before photo in one of those glow-up transformation montages. I could never look like her. Maisie shot me a sympathetic look, but Nevaeh was already halfway out the door, too absorbed in adjusting her costume to notice the lingering tension.
“Are you ready?” Nevaeh asked over her shoulder.
I forced a nod, smoothing the front of my dress again. It’s one night, I told myself, swallowing the lump of insecurity lodged in my throat. I can do this. But as I followed my friends out of the room, my doubts clung to me like an unwanted shadow, whispering every insecurity I tried so hard to silence.
**
I stood at the edge, hugging my arms around myself as laughter, music, and chatter filled the air. Too many bodies packed the room, making it warm. There was an unrecognizable smell, but I couldn’t focus on anything except the tightness of my costume and how awkward I felt in my skin. My Tinkerbell dress sparkled under the party lights, a little too much for my liking, drawing more attention than I wanted.
I shifted on my heels, my eyes darting toward Nevaeh, who was in the center of the room, already the life of the party. I bit my lip, debating whether to join her or slip away. Just blend in, I told myself. I scanned the room, deciding that getting a drink might give me something to do, anything to keep busy, and ignore the anxiety in my chest. But as I made my way to the drink table, a figure stepped in my path.
“Going somewhere?” Campbell’s voice was smooth, teasing, as he blocked my way.
He wore a devil costume; the horns perched on his head were almost laughably playful, but somehow, he made it work. The dark red shirt hugged his broad shoulders, and the mischievous glint in his eyes was sharper than any pitchfork he could’ve carried. I stiffened, my pulse quickening as I met his gaze.
“Excuse me.” I said, my tone was sharper than I intended.
Campbell smirked, taking a deliberate step closer.
“A fairy, huh?” His eyes flicked over my costume, taking in the glittering wings and the green dress. “Or are you supposed to be temptation itself? If so, it’s working.”
I rolled my eyes, my face heating as I tried to brush past him.
“Temptation isn’t your style,” I shot back, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “The devil suits you better.”
Campbell laughed, low and deep, and for a moment, the sound drowned out the noise of the party.
“Touché.” He said, leaning into my space as if daring me to push him away.
I narrowed my eyes, sidestepping him before he could say anything else. When I reached the drink table, I grabbed a cup of punch, but my hands trembled as I raised it to my lips. Time passed in a blur as I lingered by the wall, trying to make myself invisible. I adjusted my costume, tugging at the straps of my wings. The costume felt more suffocating by the minute.
“Need some help, Sunshine?”
The familiar voice sent a jolt down my spine. I turned my head just enough to see Campbell standing behind me, his fingers brushing against the clasp of my necklace. His touch was featherlight, but it sent a shiver through me. I froze, my breath catching.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
Campbell didn’t move, his presence an electric hum against my back.
“Oh, I know you can handle your own,” he said, his tone laced with amusement. “But there’s nothing wrong with some extra help.”
I swallowed hard, gripping my cup tighter. Our closeness was unnerving, and I hated how easily he got under my skin. Turning to face him, I stepped back, creating distance between us.
“Do you always have to be this insufferable?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
Campbell grinned, tilting his head as if considering my question.
“Pretty much.” He admitted. His gaze softened as it lingered on me. “But you’re fun to mess with, Ellis.”
My heart stuttered at his words, but I masked my reaction, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, if you’re done messing with me, I’d like to enjoy the party.”
Campbell stepped aside with a mock bow, his smirk never faltering.
“Enjoy it all you want, Sunshine. But you and parties in the same sentence will never work.”
I rolled my eyes, refusing to give him a response. As I turned and walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, and despite myself, a small part of me wished I could have said something to knock that smirk off his face.
**
The music thudded through the air, its pulse vibrating through the floor and into my chest. I stood at the edge of the dance floor again, my arms crossed and my shoulders hunched to shrink into myself. Around me, the crowd was a chaotic blur of bodies, neon lights, and laughter. Somewhere in the crowd, Nevaeh, full of energy, spun and laughed with a guy in a pirate costume. I tried to stay invisible, hoping Nevaeh wouldn’t notice my lack of enthusiasm. But she had always been impossible to escape. With a sudden yank on my wrist, Nevaeh pulled me toward the middle of the floor, her Catwoman mask askew and a mischievous grin on her face.
“Come on, Hazel! Loosen up!” Nevaeh called over the music, spinning me into the crowd before disappearing again to dance with someone else.
I stood frozen, my hands fluttering at my sides as I scanned the sea of moving bodies. I felt ridiculous, and out of place. My gaze drifted toward the room’s edge, where Campbell leaned against a wall, holding a red cup. He was watching me. He looked at me—half amused, half intrigued — and it made my stomach twist in ways I didn’t understand. He had crooked devil horns, and his smirk was as sharp as the angles of his jaw. Campbell raised an eyebrow, almost daring me to stand there like a deer in headlights. He’s so gorgeous, I thought, shocking myself. Before I could, a guy in a football jersey approached me, his grin wide and confident.
“Wanna dance?”
I hesitated, glancing toward the edge of the room again. Campbell’s gaze hadn’t shifted. My chest tightened, and I nodded reluctantly, figuring it was better than standing there like a statue. The guy grinned and moved closer, his hands settling on my waist as we swayed to the rhythm. My movements were stiff, my heart racing for all the wrong reasons as I tried to ignore the way his breath smelled faintly of beer. From across the room, Campbell straightened. His easy smirk faded, replaced by a subtle clench of his jaw. He finished his drink in one swift motion, crushed the cup in his hand, and strode forward with confidence.
“Mind if I cut in?” Campbell’s voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it as he stopped beside us. Without waiting for an answer, he clapped the guy on the shoulder and added, “Thanks, man.”
The guy blinked, clearly confused, but something in Campbell’s tone, or the sheer force of his presence, made him step back. He raised his hands in surrender and disappeared into the crowd. I glared at Campbell, my hands balling into fists at my sides.
“I didn’t need rescuing.”
“Sure, you didn’t,” Campbell said, his smirk returning as he moved closer. “But now you’re stuck with me, so make the most of it.”
Before I could argue, his hands slid onto my hips, his touch firm but not pushy. I stiffened, my breath catching as he guided me into the rhythm of the music.
“Relax, Ellis,” he murmured, leaning in just enough that his words brushed against my ear. “It’s just a dance. Unless you’re afraid you can’t resist me?”
I scoffed, though my voice came out shakier than I’d have liked.
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“Good.” He said, his smirk deepening as he pulled me a fraction closer.
Our bodies fit together almost too perfectly, his warmth seeping through the thin fabric of my costume. My heart pounded, my pulse syncing with the music as his hands guided me in time to the beat. His gaze held mine, dark and intense, and for a moment, the rest of the room seemed to fade away.
“See?” Campbell murmured, his voice low and teasing. “You fit right here like you’re supposed to.”
My cheeks burned; my throat tight as my mind scrambled for a retort. But the intensity of his gaze, the feel of his hands on my hips, and the way his breath fanned against my cheek was too much. Think of Nevaeh, Hazel.
“I need some air.” I said, pulling back and breaking the moment.
My voice sounded strange, breathless, and shaky. I didn’t look back, but I could feel his eyes on me, the weight of his attention lingering like a touch I couldn’t shake.