Page 50 of Finding Answers For Confused Succubi

"I can ask my sister about that," Erica says."And alterations so it fits you perfectly.It looks beautiful."

"Thanks."I smile and look back in the mirror.I can't really tell that something is different from the outside, but inside is a whole other story.I know who I am in a way that I didn't before.

The other two start talking to one another about their dress choices, giving me a moment to grab my phone.

I snap a photo in the mirror and send it to Darius.< What do you think?>

The three dots signalling him typing pop up on the screen.< It's the colour of your wings.>

< It is.And backless.> I take a photo over my shoulder, though I don't think it's a particularly good photo, but he'll get the idea.

< Surprising.How do you feel in it?>

< Good.>

< Then I should get a bow tie to match.>

I grin widely.

"All right, what's Darius said?"Evie asks.

"How do you know he's said anything?"I reply.

"Because you only get that look on your face for one person," she responds.

"Oh yeah, she does that in study group when she thinks no one's looking too," Erica interjects."It's a bit nauseating sometimes."

"Hey!"I protest."If you really must know, he was suggesting a matching bow tie."

"Oh, I actually think there might be one.Give me a second."She disappears behind the counter and seems to be searching for something.She comes back around with a bow tie and holds it up to the dress I'm still wearing."It's not a perfect match, but no one would ever know."

"I can check if it's okay."I snap a photo and send it off to Darius, somehow in a little bit of disbelief that I'm even having this conversation.After things ended with my ex, I never thought I'd have something like this.

A new message flashes up on the screen of him agreeing it's a good match.

"I guess I'm getting a dress and a bow tie today then," I say."I should take this off."I head back into the changing room and change back into my normal clothes.

I hang up the dress and look at it, a small thrill going through me as I do.

It feels so normal to be out shopping with my friends for a ball I'm attending with my boyfriend.And yet it felt like an experience I wouldn't have been able to have not that long ago.Though I suppose that was just the boyfriend part.

And even more surprisingly, I'm looking forward to it.More than I could ever have expected.

Epilogue

Mandy

Everywhere I lookthere are students laughing and drinking while dressed in their best.I don't think I actually realised until this moment just how many students there are at Obscure Academy, but this really drives it home.

"Hey," Darius says, drawing my attention to him.

"You look good," I say, reaching out to smooth down the lapel of his jacket.

"So do you."He leans in and brushes his lips briefly against mine.

His hand lands on my lower back, warm and comforting in a way no one else's touch has ever been to me.

"Want to get a drink?"he asks.