“Awe, baby, what ya thinking about?” he teases.

“Stop it, Masen. I would be so embarrassed if someone felt me thinking about us,” I spout.

He just laughs at me. “If you still want to go to the Hall tonight, we need to get ready, we can grab dinner there, too, if you want.”

It’s a little after six. I am getting hungry, again. “Yeah, I still want to go. Should I wear jeans, a dress, or something in the middle?” I’m gonna need to head home again to get my clothes. Maybe he’ll take me tomorrow. I don’t want to go there by myself, it’s too creepy.

“It’s pretty casual. You look beautiful in anything so wear whatever you want,” he says, distracted.

That is not at all helpful. “Masen, can I use your phone?” I huff. I can tell he’s confused.

“Ah sure, it’s under here somewhere. Here ya go.”

Scrolling through to the Ns, I find only one Nicole. “This is Michael’s Nicole, right?”

He looks up at the phone, then me. “Oh yeah, why are you calling her?”

Men, they have no clue. “I need to know what to wear, Masen.” I roll my eyes yet again.

Swiping her name, I select call. It rings twice before a man answers, question clear in his voice, “Mase?”

“Ah no, this is Sophia. I was hoping I could talk with Nicole. Is this Michael?”

“Yeah, sorry, Luna. She’s right here. Just one second.”

Her voice soft and kind. “Hey Sophie. How are you?”

“I’m good. Sorry to bother you.”

“Oh, it’s no bother. So what’s up?”

“Well, Masen is taking me to the hall to the bar part, and when I asked him what to wear...”

Her laugh interrupts me. “Let me guess, he said wear anything you’ll look beautiful.” She tries to imitate his deep voice, which makes me laugh.

“Yeah, that was almost perfect. So, any advice? I don’t have too much to choose from. I haven’t got all my stuff.”

“Well, during the week, it’s pretty casual. On the weekends, the girls usually go all out. So, I’d say either break the mold and go cute casual or really gussy it up. Don’t worry though. You’ll be stunning,” she says sincerely.

“Thank you, Nicole. Will you and Michael be coming?”

“Ya know. We weren’t, but now, I think we might.”

“Thanks again, Nicole. I’ll see ya there.”

“No problem. See you soon, Sophie.”

We say goodbye and hang up. I’m not much better off than I was, but at least, I’ll know someone there. While I was on the phone, I made my way back to the bedroom. I’m now in the closet going through my meager selection. Skinny jeans and a nice top with heels or my last sundress with my cowboy boots. I’m already going to stick out like a sore thumb. Being the only size fourteen in a pack full of fours or sixes makes it kind of hard to blend in. So, I might as well wear what I want.