[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=8A9A5B][sup]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][url=https://open.spotify.com/track/6NFyWDv5CjfwuzoCkw47Xf?si=c10b6e712b434f9b][img]https://i.imgur.com/YWrjMkU.jpeg[/img][/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=8A9A5B][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR][I] The Augmented Reality Center[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Dance Monkey #4.047:[/b][/COLOR][I] Crushed Petals[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=8A9A5B][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=8A9A5B][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I] Emily-(No longer insignificant)[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=8A9A5B][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR][COLOR=GRAY][I] Between Shadows and Light[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

[indent][color=#a9a9a9]The cool night breeze teased the edges of Harper’s dress, each gust sending a shiver of anticipation through her. With every step, the soft fabric shifted, heightening her excitement. The fitted bodice hugged her frame, accentuating her curves in a way that felt both empowering and surreal, as if she were walking in a dream. The gown's rich red hue shimmered under the moonlight, casting a warm glow against her skin, making her feel like the dress had been crafted just for her. Each stride set the ruffled layers of the mermaid-style skirt fluttering around her legs, creating the illusion that she was gliding effortlessly down the pathway—a vision of elegance and grace.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]In her hand, Harper held the small boutonniere meant for Cass, its delicate white bloom starkly contrasting her dress's deep red. She glanced down at the flower nestled in her palm, its soft petals like a fragile promise she wasn’t entirely sure how to keep. It felt like a symbol of something more—something unspoken, but undeniably significant. A quiet sigh escaped her lips as her thoughts drifted to the evening ahead, the uncertainty of what would come weighing on her mind. She wondered how Cass would react when she finally handed it to him. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Was it all, perhaps, a bit too much for them?[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Harper’s fingers tightened around the boutonniere as her mind raced with what-ifs. Would Cass make a joke to ease her obvious anxiety, or would he be sincere, understanding the depth of the gesture? She wasn’t sure if he was the kind of person to read her so well and respond in just the right way. Even she didn’t know what reaction she was hoping for—torn between wanting to laugh off the nervousness and craving a moment of genuine connection. The only thing Harper knew without a doubt was that everything had felt so much easier before the trials, before her world had been turned upside down. When her biggest worries, though not trivial, weren’t as all-consuming.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]She wondered if Cass felt the same, if he too longed for the days when things were simpler. Did he miss the times when she was just a girl keeping him company around a campfire, their voices mingling with the crackling flames? Back then, the only expectation was whether she could truly keep up with him on the dancefloor, their worries as fleeting as the night itself. Harper glanced down at the flower, a slight  frown tugging at her lips. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]This wasn’t her at all—this feeling of being boxed in by other people’s assumptions of her. Harper had always prided herself on being free-spirited within the boundaries of her disciplined nature, unbound by the constraints others tried to impose. Yet here she was, holding a symbol of something she wasn’t sure she believed in—a fragile bloom that seemed to mock her independence. It felt like a betrayal of who she was, a concession to the pressures that had been slowly mounting around her.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]As Harper walked down the dimly lit pathway, the fluttering of her skirt and the soft breeze were her only companions. Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching from the opposite direction.  It wasn’t until they were almost side by side that the person’s presence registered, the faint shuffle of shoes on the pavement catching her attention. The sound was like a ripple in a still pond, breaking through the surface of her reverie. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9][u][i]Attempt #2: Work in Progress[/i][/u][/color]

[color=#4169e1]“Harper Baxter?” [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]The voice was familiar, but not enough to place instantly. Harper slowed her pace and glanced up, blinking in mild confusion as she took in the girl standing before her. Tall, with strawberry blonde hair and sharp features softened by a pair of glasses, the girl’s curious eyes seemed to scan her, causing the brunette to rub at her arms self-consciously. The scrutiny made her feel exposed, as if the girl could see right through her. Harper searched her mind, trying to recall the face, but the details of when they might have met felt annoyingly vague, like a name on the tip of her tongue.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Uh, yeah. Hi,”[/color][color=#a9a9a9] Harper replied, her tone polite but uncertain. She tried to muster a smile, but it felt forced, not quite reaching her eyes. The girl gave a smile in response, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes either, a guardedness lingering in her expression. There was something about her, a hint of wariness that Harper couldn’t quite decipher, making her feel even more uneasy. It made her wonder what the girl saw when she looked at her, what judgments or assumptions were being made behind those curious eyes.[/color]

[color=#4169e1]“You don’t remember what I look like, either?”[/color][color=#a9a9a9] the tall girl asked, her head shaking in what appeared like disbelief. Harper frowned, feeling a flicker of unease at the girl’s question. The way she said it, as if Harper should have known her immediately, gnawed at her, creating a knot of anxiety in her chest. She pursed her lips, her finger coming to tap on her chin as she searched her memory. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“A...melia?” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]she attempted,sudden recognition causing her eyes to widen and a blush to work its way up her neck. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“Wait no, Emily! That’s it.” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Emily’s brows arched somewhat, her surprise evident, and Harper felt a small surge of triumph at getting it right. [/color]

[color=#4169e1]“Yeah, you got it,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Emily said, but there was a pause, a mix of emotions crossing her face—relief, perhaps, but something else lingered, something Harper couldn’t quite place until she spoke again. The blonde crossed her arms loosely over her chest. [/color][color=#4169e1]“Guess I didn’t make much of an impression both times, huh?”[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Harper winced at the comment, the slight sting of guilt tightening in her stomach like a vice. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I didn’t mean it like that,”[/color][color=#a9a9a9] she quickly replied, her voice softer now, more sincere. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I’ve just been… distracted.” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]The words felt inadequate, a flimsy excuse for the way she had been back then. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily’s expression didn’t fully soften, but the guarded edge dulled a little, a small concession that Harper clung to. [/color][color=#4169e1]“Yeah, I guess we all have our stuff going on sometimes,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Emily replied, her tone carrying a hint of understanding, though it was clear the hurt was still there. There was a brief, awkward silence after this. Harper glanced away, feeling the cool breeze lift a few strands of her hair, wondering how to salvage the conversation. She hated moments like this—where past mistakes loomed, forcing her to confront things she’d rather leave behind. It had happened too many times this year already, each instance a reminder of how much she had lost and how far she still had to go.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Look, Emily,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Harper finally said, meeting her gaze again. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I know I wasn’t exactly fair to you back then. I said some things that were… harsh. And I’m sorry for that.” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]She paused, searching for the right words.[/color][color=#8a9a5b] “I just—”[/color][color=#a9a9a9] she hesitated, the memories of her past struggles flooding back, [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I was in a bad place.” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]She hadn’t yet grown close to anyone, which left a more guarded, more difficult-to-approach version of herself. With no real friends to lean on, Harper had relied on her sharp edges, her biting words, to protect herself. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily, unfortunately, had just been one of the ones in the line of fire.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of old hurt crossing her face. [/color][color=#4169e1]“Yeah, I remember all that shit,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]she said, her voice quieter now, but laced with a bitterness Harper couldn’t ignore. [/color][color=#4169e1]“It wasn’t just what you said, though. It was how… distant you were. Like, none of us even mattered.” [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Harper winced inwardly. She [/color][color=#a9a9a9][i]had[/i][/color][color=#a9a9a9] been distant, she knew that now. Detached from everyone around her, she had half-ignored their attempts to connect, pushing through any work given to her as if it were a solo effort. People had just been faces in the background to her, names she hadn’t bothered to remember because, in her mind, they weren’t relevant in the big picture. She had convinced herself that she didn’t need anyone’s help or friendship, accepting Aurora’s only begrudgingly at the time.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily crossed her arms. [/color][color=#4169e1]“So, what? Now that things are better, you’re suddenly all friendly?” [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Another silence stretched between them, Harper unsure of how to answer the other’s question. She glanced down at the boutonniere still clutched in her hand, its petals now slightly crumpled from her earlier grip. The once pristine bloom now looked as frazzled as she felt—an unintended casualty of her restless thoughts. She loosened her fingers around it, hoping to salvage what was left.[/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“Look, I don’t expect you to forgive me,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Harper said eventually, her voice steadier now, more resolved. [/color][color=#8a9a5b]“I just wanted to say I’m sorry. And that I’m trying to change. Be…better.”[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily’s gaze stayed on Harper, her posture still closed off, arms crossed defensively over her chest. Harper waited all the while, unsure of what else to say, her heart pounding in the silence.  She didn’t expect a full reconciliation, but she had hoped for something—a sign that her apology had landed somewhere other than the void between them. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Emily finally sighed, shaking her head, the movement slow and deliberate. [/color][color=#4169e1]“People don’t change overnight, Baxter,” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]she muttered, her tone neither forgiving nor harsh, but somewhere in between. Harper nodded, the full weight of those words settling somewhere in her heart like a heavy stone. [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b]“I know.”[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]For a brief moment, Emily just looked at her, as if debating whether to say more. Her eyes searched Harper’s face, perhaps looking for signs of sincerity or change. Then, without another word, she shifted on her heels and continued down the path, her shoes clicking softly against the pavement. As she passed by, she glanced back over her shoulder and offered a tiny, almost dismissive compliment. [/color][color=#4169e1]“Well…at least the dress is nice.” [/color][color=#a9a9a9]Her tone was neutral, devoid of the warmth Harper might have hoped for. It wasn’t forgiveness, not by a long shot. But maybe it wasn’t a full rejection either.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]As Emily walked past, Harper stood still, her fingers brushing the now-wilted edges of the boutonniere. Then, her heels clicked softly against the pavement as she resumed her walk, the soft hum of music and distant chatter drifting through the air as she neared the A.R.C. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9][hr] [/color]

[color=#8a9a5b][i]Jesus Calliope…if only you were here to see your hard work pay off. [/i][/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]The red carpeted pathway before her was flanked by gold posts and velour ropes, creating an illusion of grandeur that sent a wave of nervousness through her. The opulence of the scene felt almost surreal, the simplicity she’d grown accustomed to over the years not present in the slightest. The rich colors and textures seemed to mock her, reminding her of how far she had come and how much she had changed. Taking out her phone, Harper snapped a quick photo of the scene, the flash momentarily illuminating the lavish surroundings. She attached it to a message to the blonde in her thoughts, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed: [/color][color=#8a9a5b][i]You’re greatly appreciated and sincerely missed. I hope things are going better on your end with your family…and your brother. [/i][/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]She hesitated for a moment, staring at the screen. ​​Calliope had been a source of strength and comfort during one of the darkest periods of her life. Perhaps that was why Harper was not surprised to realize just how much she missed her friend, the absence more profound than she could have ever expressed. She pressed send, watching as the message disappeared into the ether, a silent prayer that Calliope would feel her gratitude and longing wherever she was. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]As Harper prepared to enter the venue, something made her pause in her movement, an involuntary smile sweeping across her lips at the sight before her. It was three figures, each one seeming to embody a different emotion in the sea of celebrants, creating a tableau that captured her attention. While one of the boys wore an expression that hinted at a weariness with the evening’s festivities, his slouched posture and tired eyes betraying his fatigue, the enthusiasm from the other two was contagious even from afar. The female of the group twirled and danced around with a lightness that suggested not even gravity could hold her down, her cream silk gown shimmering as she moved, catching the light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. Her face lit up with a playful expression that, for whatever reason, brought Haven to mind, her last words coming back to her about just enjoying the night. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Because that’s what was most important, right? Just enjoying the evening as much as these three seemed to be. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]With a deep breath, Harper straightened her posture, shaking off the heaviness that had found its way on her shoulders. She looked down at the boutonniere she was holding for Cass, its slightly crumpled state the only evidence of the war of conflicting emotions within her. Her fingers traced the delicate edges of the flower, the weight of her feelings slowly dissipating as she looked around at the vibrant energy of the dance floor, the music and laughter creating a lively backdrop. Harper navigated through the bustling crowd towards a quieter corner of the room, seeking a moment of familiar solitude. [/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]The elegant, Hollywood-themed décor framed the space, with centerpieces adorned with white feathers casting a soft glow over the tables. She found a secluded table near the edge of the dance floor, partially obscured by the shadows of the towering centerpieces. The dim lighting and the soft hum of conversation created a cocoon of privacy, allowing her a brief respite from the festivities. Gently, she placed the boutonniere on the table, arranging it with care, as if setting down a piece of her heart.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]Stepping back, Harper gave it a final, contemplative glance before turning and walking back into the heart of the celebration, fully intending on finding her date for the evening. 

Except this time with different motivations.[/color]

[color=#a9a9a9]No expectations. No pretenses. [/color][/indent]