– Amber's POV
The sun peeked through the edges of my blinds, casting a soft golden hue across my room. It was a Sunday morning, one of those rare days where everything felt calm. I stretched lazily in bed, savoring the quietness of the house. Mom and Dad were downstairs, likely enjoying their morning coffee, while Chloe was probably watching cartoons.
Just as I rolled over to grab my phone from the nightstand, it buzzed with a notification. My heart gave a little leap when I saw it was from Luna, my best friend.
Luna: "Hey, babe! Are you free tonight? There's this party happening, and I thought we could go together. Let me know!"
A party? I couldn't remember the last time I went out for something fun. School had already consumed so much of my life, and I hadn't even finished my first week yet.
I typed back quickly.
Me: "I'll have to ask my mom first. Hang tight!"
Slipping out of bed, I headed downstairs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint scent of pancakes wafted through the house. Mom was at the kitchen counter, flipping pancakes while Dad sat at the table, reading the newspaper. Chloe was, as predicted, glued to the TV, giggling at some cartoon character's antics.
"Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad," I greeted, grabbing a piece of toast from the counter.
"Morning, sweetheart," Mom replied with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did." I hesitated for a second before plunging into my request. "So… Luna just texted me about a party tonight. Can I go?"
Mom turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "A party? Where is it?"
"I don't know yet, but Luna will be with me the whole time," I said quickly. "And we'll come back early, I promise!"
Dad lowered his newspaper, glancing at me over the rim of his glasses. "You know we trust you, Amber. But make sure it's a safe place, and don't get into trouble."
"I won't, I promise!" I said, my voice rising with excitement.
Mom sighed but smiled. "Alright, you can go. But be home before midnight."
I beamed. "Thank you! You're the best!" I practically skipped back to my room, texting Luna the good news.
Me: "Mom said yes! Pick me up so we can go shopping for outfits?"
Her reply came almost instantly.
Luna: "On my way! Let's hit the mall, girl!"
By noon, Luna's sleek black car pulled up in front of my house. I grabbed my purse and waved at my mom before hopping in.
"Hey, babe!" Luna grinned, her bright blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight.
"Hey!" I said, fastening my seatbelt. "Thanks for picking me up."
"Of course. Let's find the perfect outfits," she said, revving the engine.
The drive to the mall was filled with laughter and music blasting from the speakers. Atlanta's streets were alive with energy, the perfect mix of modern skyscrapers and charming old neighborhoods. The January weather was crisp but not freezing, with a pale blue sky stretching endlessly overhead.
When we reached the mall, it was bustling with weekend shoppers. The first store we entered was filled with glittery dresses and towering heels. Luna immediately grabbed a shimmering gold number, holding it up to herself.
"What do you think?" she asked, twirling in front of the mirror.
"It's stunning, but I can't see myself in anything like that," I admitted, eyeing the racks for something more subtle.
We moved from shop to shop, trying on dresses and giggling at the ones that didn't fit quite right. By the time we reached the fourth store, I was starting to feel a little defeated.
"Ugh, why is finding the perfect dress so hard?" I groaned.
"Patience, babe," Luna said, winking. "The right one will call to you."
She was right. As soon as I saw it, I knew. It was an adorable little dress, simple yet elegant, in a soft blush pink. The fabric hugged my waist and flared out just enough to give it a playful touch.
"This is it," I whispered, holding it up.
Luna gasped. "You're going to look stunning in that. Go try it on!"
I slipped into the fitting room, and when I stepped out, Luna's jaw dropped.
"Amber, you look amazing!" she said, clapping her hands together.
A blush crept up my cheeks as I looked at my reflection. For the first time in a long time, I felt beautiful.
After paying for our outfits, we treated ourselves to smoothies and sat by the large glass windows overlooking the city. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over Atlanta.
"I can't wait for tonight," Luna said, sipping her drink.
"Me neither," I admitted. "It's been so long since I did something fun."
"Then let's make it a night to remember," she said, raising her cup.
I clinked mine against hers, feeling a surge of excitement. Tonight was going to be special—I could feel it.