Thread: Look at Me [Dimitri x Plutonium]

Saturday came extremely slowly. Probably from the eating fear that her plan would go wrong. Actually, she didn't come up with the plan by herself. It basically walked up to her conveniently. The moment she went to Acapella practice, the girls in the group swarmed her. Juliette! I wouldn't have expected you to be a party girl. Exactly! Why didn't you tell us you wanted to go to the party. We would have brought you. The Acapella group always performs at parties...We always figured you never wanted to go. Juliette looked around at the girls of the group. They had always seemed like nice girls. She had known they all partied a bit, but they all seemed so smart and well-rounded. They never spoke to her, probably because of her exterior. In the group she had always been more work than play. It was more of an instinct. Maybe as a defense even. She knew full well that being 'friends' with them would end with them getting tired of her. They wouldn't be able to hang out with them outside. So there was never any point. It was a bit overwhelming to have them all talking to her at once. I mean, you have to go, since you have a date. Not just any date, even. A senior member wriggled her eyebrows. How did someone so quiet like you score the superstar Mike Romanov? Juliette pursed her lips. Oh gosh, they had the wrong idea. Did people seriously think they were dating? Funny joke. There was no way he would go for someone like her. Maria was exactly right. No, that wasn't even the point. Why would she date someone with an ego bigger than his brain. Why did she feel disappointed thinking about something like this? O-Oh. Well I usually don't go to parties. I'm not exactly allowed to... She grew quiet, keeping her eyes away from them, knowing full well they were going to laugh or snicker. But it didn't happen. Wow, yeah I get it. I sneak out to these things all the time. I'm surprised I lasted this long. It's probably because I live on campus. My folks don't know a thing. Maria scoffed. Juliette looked up instantly. That really sucks. No wonder you have your head in the books all the time. You must be bored out of your mind. Jackie looked between Amelia and Maria and they shared a smile. It's official. We are going to make sure you get to that party. Besides, you can't just stand up Mike Romanov. What's he like anyway? Juliette couldn't believe her ears. She honestly felt something well up in her chest, something that made her want to cry. Happiness, relief, joy. Were they really going to help her? Why were they being so nice. For the first time, she couldn't help but laugh. It must have been surprising, since all three girls looked at her with awe. Mouths handing open. He's...something else. She scoffed a bit. I don't know how I'm gonna do it...But I really appreciate it. She got quiet and shy. Thank you. -- So they set it up. Maria, the captain of the group, would call Juliette's phone and leave a message. The idea was to fake a last minute acapella practice. If Juliette's Lola was suspicious, Juliette would let her hear the message. From there, she would take the subway to the campus and go to Maria's dorm with the girls. To her surprise, when she got there. A makeover was waiting for her. She was ambushed. Sat down on the bed and attacked with a curling iron and somehow, a pair of clean contact lenses. I have a set, and they aren't anything crazy perscription. They are a once a day sorta thing. It won't make your vision as great as your glasses, but you will be able to see. Besides. Amelia reached and gently slid Juliette's glasses off. You shouldn't hide such a pretty face behind these. Before she knew it, her hair was curled, pulling into a half up, half down look, her bangs bobby pinned back and out of her face. Next was her makeup. Juliette put her hand up, taking the palette from Amelia and the others. I think I can do this part. And that she knew she could do. Mascara, neutral eye shadow, a dark pink blush and pale rose lipstick. Near the edges of her eyes, she used black to give her that smokey look she liked. Her eyeliner was winged as always, but a little bit more dramatic. The more she stared in the mirror, the more excited and empowered she got. She was excited and terrified. From the mirror, she saw Maria rampaging through her wardrobe. What she pulled out for her was something she had never even thought of wearing. It wasn't something skimpy, but...really cute. It was a casual cocktail dress, dark purple, with a creme colored bow belt around the waist and a frilly scoop neckline. The length wasn't too bad either, it came just above her knees. To complete it was and a simple gold chain around her neck and a pair of black kitten heels. I don't even recognize you. Amelia clapped. Why don't you dress like this all the time. The dress fits your curves perfectly. I bet Mike won't even know who you are. The thought made Juliette blush as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She wondered what he would think now that she sorta followed his advice. The four of them warmed up, and Juliette was informed they would perform her number if she really wanted. Her 'debut.' The thought didn't sit well with her. But, there was no time like the present to practice. The boys in the group would meet them there. --- The scene in front of her was unlike anything she could ever imagined. It was like a different world. There was the calmer more casual side of the party, like people drinking and mingling, even dancing although a bit risque. And then there were the people with little to no clothes on, making out and getting a bit frisky out in the open. The girls in the acapella group walked through the house like it was nothing. But Juliette almost turned right around. The anxiety making her want to throw up. Not to mention the people making out were bringing all too familiar feelings out. She couldn't help but watch in fascination, but also look out for Mike. Soon the host Douglas, had found them, getting excited and grabbing a mic for the performance as the group gathered around on the other end of the pool where the DJ was playing. Maria had a pitch pipe. A somewhat intoxicated Douglas grabbed the mic. Alright you guys. As promised, we got some entertainment tonight. Our contest winning college aca-thing group with their next concert piece. Featuring the lovely soloist...Who are you? Amelia rolled her eyes. This is Juliette. Oh...Okay! The lovely Julia! So without farther a-doooooo. Here's Project Fortissimo Juliette gawked at him, how did he get that wrong? Shaking her head, everything got a bit quieter, not much though. The sound of laughter was still loud in her ears. The more she heard it, the more she thought everyone was laughing at her. Maria blew the pitch pipe, but Juliette could barely hear it. She was frightened, scared, terrified. But then she looked over and saw Mike near the pool. He wasn't looking at her. She felt that familiar pumping of adrenline. She wanted him to look at her. Taking a deep breath, she nodded, taking the mic from Douglas and smiling softly at the girls. This party was gonna get a show. In no time, her friends had started. Harmonies and vocal percussion filling the air. At first, Juliette had sung quietly, but she had seen how people were getting into it, despite how quiet she was being. Her voice grew gradually louder, watching the smiles of her group members egging her on to really go all out. There was something wonderful about being dressed like a new person. It also helped that her vision wasn't all too great right now. But it was enough to see people having fun. It was like some serendipitous moment when Mike looked up at her with the mic in her hand, taking a deep breath and singing the chorus in a somehow melodious powerhouse voice. It was during that loud and upbeat chorus people had begun to cheer and actually dance. The song didn't have an electronic beat of any kind, yet, people were getting into it. Juliette didn't know that putting herself out there like this could be so invigorating, so eye opening. She hadn't realized she had come out of her shell somehow during the course of the song. The harmonies truly music to her ears as she felt part of the group, for once. The more she thought of the lyrics, she more she realized that perhaps she had been drawn to this song for a reason. 'Ain't it fun.' It was a song about freedom and actually living. And that was what she was doing. She was being a teenager, even if out of place in the whole spectrum of things, she was having fun, she was being loud. Before she knew it, the song had ended, and somehow she had gotten so into it. Her chest heaved as she slowly lowered the microphone, cheers loud in her ears. She looked around to the other members. They were clapping too, smiling and laughing at the look on her face. Juliette was completely breathless as she stepped back into the concave formation of the group and they all bowed. When all the cheering died down, the three girls crowded around Juliette, giving words of congratulations and flipping out at how much she seemed like a different person. The fawning of attention as well as the applause she had gotten, and not to mention putting herself in the spotlight had overwhelmed her. She felt shy and couldn't help but rub her arm nervously, thanking them over and over again for bringing her to the party and helping her out. Maria seemed to suddenly be distracted by something, her lips slowly turning into a Cheshire smirk. Amelia, Jackie. Let's go get a drink. She winked at Juliette, confusing the worn out girl as she watched them walk out. Juliette turned toward the direction in which Maria had looked, and realized exactly why she had smirked. There was Mike Romanov sitting by the pool. Juliette sucked in a giant breath. That's right, she had just made eye contact with him during the song. He saw her...out of her shell. It was incredibly embarrassing, and she thought about walking out then and there. Not to mention, she didn't even know if he recognized her. Frozen in her place, she kept her eyes on him carefully, folding her hands as she listened to the commotion of the party, finally, she worked up her courage. Walking over to him and standing there as bravely as she could. Unfortunately, she couldn't look him in the eyes. Hey there...so I made it. she said awkwardly, wanting to curse herself for reverting back. She wondered what he had thought about her in general. Her outfit, her performance. So...did you like the performance...? Her voice grew a bit high pitched near the end of her question. Her eyes moved to look at him sheepishly through her eyelashes. Perhaps it was his opinion that made her feel so vulnerable all of a sudden. There was another question she had. What was she supposed to do at this party? She didn't drink, or dance. Well dancing was questionable. She didn't want to dance with Mike, though. Too close for comfort and a situation just asking her to trip and fall.