Chapter 143: Hot Girl Debut[June’s POV]
"Holy hell, " I stared at my reflection and actually blushed.
The neckline made my chest look... unfairly good. The outfit pulled me in all the right places, showing my curves.
My cleavage was on full display, and God, I wasn’t sure if I was embarrassed or kinda... thrilled.
This fit wasn’t just hot. It was criminally snatched, and dangerously short.
Like, I literally couldn’t bend over without the whole party getting a free show.
"Woaaah..." I whispered, turning sideways in the mirror. "Can I actually wear this to the party?"
It was a black cut out top with tight mini skirt.
This outfit had been sitting in my closet since that random thrift binge last summer, when I told myself I’d "be brave one day." I never wore it out because I didn’t want to look like I was trying. But right now? I wanted to try.
Ash had dug it out of my closet. "This one," he handed it to me, clutching it to his chest. And now here I was, actually wearing into it.
My hair fell loose around my shoulders, and for once I didn’t look like the awkward nerdy scholarship kid. I looked like the girl everyone at the party would stop and stare at.
I twirled once and nearly screamed. The dress ate. It slayed. It devoured.
My stomach flipped. My hands were clammy.
God, I’d never worn something this... something this hot.
I walked out of the bathroom door.
Both boys looked up.
Ash gasped so loud. His hands flew to his mouth. "Bitchhhh."
Marcus just... froze. His eyes trailed up and down me before snapping back up like he didn’t just check me out. His jaw literally dropped.
"You’re... you’re not actually gonna wear that," he stood so fast, the chair squeaked.
"Yes she is." Ash countered instantly. "Juney, babe, this is your main character moment. You are about to turn so many heads tonight.
"Nope. June, no." Marcus cut in. "That’s basically lingerie. You’re not leaving this room like that."
My lips twitched. "Why do you sound like my dad?"
"Because apparently someone has to say it," he shot back. "Your chest, your legs, your... everything is out." His ears were turning red. "The whole school’s gonna be staring at you."
Ash smirked. "And what’s wrong with that, Marcus? Sounds like you’re a little jealous."
"I’m not...." Marcus stammered, running a hand through his hair. "I’m just saying...good luck keeping creeps from following her around, looking at her like she’s...."
He trailed off, glaring at Ash.
"Like I’m hot?" I smirked, crossing my arms so the top pulled tighter across my chest.
Marcus groaned into his hands. "Don’t... don’t say stuff like that." His voice cracked like he was choking on air.
Ash clapped. "Exactly. Finally, she said it. You are hot. You’re turning heads tonight, and if you don’t wear that dress, I’m disowning you."
I shifted my weight, suddenly aware of every inch of bare skin. "I don’t know yet. I... I really want to."
Do I want to wear it because I feel good in it? Or because a certain Ian Han once made me feel invisible, standing there with his arm around those crop-top cheerleaders? Maybe part of me wanted him to choke on his drink tonight, seeing me look like this for all I cared.
But no... this wasn’t about Ian. Not really.
Because when I pictured walking into that party, it wasn’t his face I wanted to find in the crowd. It was Ren. Sweet, calm Ren, with those eyes that linger just a second too long, like maybe he sees me more than anyone else does.
And God, maybe I wanted him to see me tonight. Not as his nerdy music partner. Not the quiet girl in oversized hoodies. Me.
Still, if I was being honest, this was bigger than either of them. I didn’t just want to blend in. I wanted to walk in like the main character. Like a queen.
Ash and Marcus turned to me, glaring at me to say something.
"Yes. I’ll wear it," I concluded.
Ash squealed so loud, collapsing dramatically back on my bed. "June, you are serving tonight."
Marcus rolled his eyes. "How do you even plan on getting past your dad in that? He’s gonna lock you in your room until graduation."
I yanked a black long line oversize jacket off my chair, zipped it all the way up, and posed. "See? Innocent looking juney. Nobody suspects a thing. Then..." I dramatically unzipped halfway, smirking. "BAM. Party’s ready."
Ash burst out laughing. "Oh my God, she’s a genius. Look at her scheming."
Marcus muttered, "I just... I don’t get why you just have to dress like... that."
I shrugged. "Because i want to feel hot for once, okay? And besides, the party theme is literally Euphoria. Have you seen what people wear on that show?"
"You don’t need that outfit to prove anything," Marcus muttered. "You’ve... you’ve always looked good." He rubbed the back of his neck immediately, cheeks going red. "Or maybe you just wanna show off for Ren."
Heat crawled up my neck. He wasn’t wrong, but also....excuse you?
My cheeks flamed. "That’s... not the point."
Ash popped his gum dramatically. "She wants to impress herself, Marcus. Let the girl serve."
Marcus threw a pillow at him. "Shut up. You keep hyping her up."
Before I could retort, a knock landed on my door.
"Shit! Dad."
I zipped my jacket all the way up so fast.
Dad peeked in, smiling. "You kids going out? Dinner’s ready downstairs. I came to check on you earlier, but you were asleep."
"Yeah, Dad, we’re going to a party. We’ll eat when we’re back," I said quickly.
Marcus, traitor that he is, immediately said, "Actually, I’m hungry." And bolted out the door.
I turned my biggest innocent eyes on Dad. "Sooo... can I wear this?" I tugged on the zipped-up jacket.
He studied me for a moment, then chuckled. "You look beautiful, honey."
And just like that, my stomach did another nervous flip.
When he left, Ash threw himself across my bed again. "You hear that, Juney? Your own dad said you’re beautiful. That’s it. You’re officially hot."
I couldn’t stop smiling, even with the nerves buzzing through me.
Maybe Ren would notice. Maybe he wouldn’t.
If this was my main character moment, then I was going to play the role like it was written just for me.
Ash sat cross-legged on my bed, laughing at Dominic’s voice notes, while I leaned into the mirror, dabbing foundation and brushing glitter over my cheekbones. My hands were shaking, but in a good way.
"Your turn," I told Ash, spinning around.
"No way," he laughed, clutching his face.
"Yes way," I dragged him closer. "Just a little glitter. You’re literally wearing a subversive tank top held with safety pins and you think you won’t leave Dominic breathless?"
He groaned, but when I brushed shimmer over his lids, he actually looked... beautiful .
Ash was already pretty with those green eyes. I leaned in, carefully swiping lipstick across his mouth, smirking to myself.
"There," I whispered, admiring it. "Now your lips are officially prepped for Dominic tonight."
He smirked at his reflection, tugging on the hem of his jeans. "Okay fine, I look different."
We posed in the mirror, snapping about a hundred selfies, half of them blurry from us laughing too hard.
Finally, I grabbed my tiny purse, as we walked out of my room.
Marcus was slouched on the couch, scrolling through his phone, looking unbothered. He glanced up lazily.
And then his eyes widened. He sat up straight. "You guys are... ready?"
I tugged at my jacket zipper nervously. "It’s fine, right?"
Marcus blinked at me, then muttered, "...You look nice." His voice had that stiff edge, like the words slipped out before he could stop them.
Dad appeared from the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. "Heading out already?"
"Yeah," I chirped, bouncing on my heels. "Bye, Dad!"
He gave me a long, look before sighing. "Back by twelve. Not twelve-thirty. Twelve."
"Got it," I said, pecking him on his cheek before looping my arm through Ash’s.
"We’ll be late. Come on, boys."
And just like that, the three of us stepped out. Me, Ash, and Marcus. My own little chaos crew.