Giselle pondered, she no longer wanted to feel this way, this sticky, heavy feeling. Her anxiety rose as she thought about her past mistakes. She didn't want any of this anymore. Then, out of the blue, her phone made a sound, the notification bell. She quickly turned to look and her heart began to flutter. "The party starts at 7:30 pm. I'm sorry I can't pick you up as we planned, but there is a surprise I wanted to give you and I can't risk you seeing it". Giselle was elated at what she just read, she buried her face in her pillows and then read the message again. Tears gently fell down her cheeks as she rested her head on her arm. Suddenly, every thought, every worry, and all pain was gone. There was nothing left for her here, there was nothing left of what she used to be in this room. There was only one thing she wanted: to be with Elis, the only good thing that had ever happened to her.

                                                                                               ~~~

      Valie had her earbuds on and her music on at full volume. She was setting up her workstation in the basement bunker as she danced from place to place rearranging and bringing in a garment bag with the finished dress and corset. Valie felt giddy as she looked at her work and imagined Giselle in this dress. An angel on earth. Valie decided that the preparations were complete and it was time to actually get her model here somehow. Thus, Valie climbed out of her bunker and proceeded to have a little outing in this cold weather. She went into her room and dressed in the most muted colors to blend into the night. She then picked out a wig and braided the little bob hairstyle it had and topped it off with hairspray. Lastly, she grabbed her facemask and fake glasses and headed out on her bike. The wind was cold but her heart was warm, she felt lucky today, and she didn't know why. 

                                                                                              ~~~

     Giselle saw the time and it was 7:30 pm on the dot, however, the meeting place seemed too far out. There were no real stores surrounding anything, a single gas station, and a quiet field for what seemed like miles. However, as the sun began to set in its vibrant cool colors, she decided to look at the sight for once in her life and it was beautiful. She felt like she had seen the sky for the first time in her life and felt like she missed out on something, but, couldn't figure out what precisely.  Then, as she stared, she saw the lights and heard the loud music in that quiet little place.

     She walked with confidence in a heart-neckline dress and thigh-high boots.  The blue material shimmered as she moved, the silk-like material unable to keep her completely warm even though her arms were covered. People entered what seemed like a banquet hall, however, something quickly caught Giselle's eye. She saw him, Elis, his hair swooped back, dressed in a navy striped suit and black leather shoes by the entrance. His smile was so bright and innocent as their eyes met, however, that flowery feeling became heavy as soon as he embraced another girl and she placed a kiss on his cheek. The two individuals looked stunning next to each other, the girl's floor-length dress navy dress playing off his suit and the white flowers in her pinned-up hair matching his shirt. They looked like a couple. Giselle couldn't think, her stomach becoming heavy. "He saw me, he saw me here, I don't understand", her heart raced and her legs seemed to move on their own as she entered the blaring banquet hall.

      Walls decorated with white lights and glittering jewels, balloons that looked like crystal orbs, and a dancing area that was filled to the brim with people wearing masquerade masks. Giselle squeezed through the crowd as she was shoved and pushed, but could not find Elis. However, every time she suddenly saw him, he would slip away. Her chest became heavy as the feeling of rejection began to well up inside her, for she felt like not only was Elis taunting her, she felt everyone was laughing with him. 

                                                                                        

     The night grew colder, but the banquet hall was still blaring with heated music and intense laser lights. Giselle sat at a corner table as she felt everyone ignoring her. Her feelings were on the edge of something but she could not place a word to them. Then, a familiar suit walked up to her. The lights behind him elevated his beauty and innocence as he placed a hand on an empty chair next to her, smiling down. She felt hope as she was acknowledged, however, it all came crashing down. "Do you mind if I use this chair, I don't think I saw anyone sitting next to you"? Giselle suddenly stood and knocked the chair over, she tried to grab Elis's collar but failed and stumbled over. A small crowd began to form as they heard the commotion and a girl yelling at a guest with a mask. "Why...is it so hard to be next to me? Please tell me this is just a joke!?". Elis acted shocked and confused as Giselle yelled and began trying to grab his arm, "What are you talking about, I just asked for the chair". Giselle became more erratic as Elis didn't even acknowledge her, seeing her just as another stranger. Her breathing was heavy and her pulse was rapid, she couldn't think straight anymore. "I love you, can't you see that I can change to be whatever you want me to be?", Giselle screamed as people whispered and stared and she noticed one voice ask "Was she even invited, she looks like a mess". Giselle then saw what the whisper was talking about, the party was obviously black-tie attire and she was sticking out like a sore thumb. However, she wasn't finished, she decided to drag down Elis with her. "I didn't even want to come here, but you begged me to come and now we both get to ruin this party", she blurted out as Elis acted more confused than agitated. Giselle gave a pathetic smile as she quickly pulled out her phone and went to the messages labeled Elis. Those behind him read the really silly and cringe-worthy messages each had sent to each other, however, Elis just looked up and gave a small chuckle, "This...isn't my phone number". The people behind Elis began to smirk, but, Giselle refused to back down. "Then, let me just dial it then", she hovered her finger over the phone as Elis hesitantly pulled out his. His demeanor changed as he began to look nervous. Then, as she pressed the call button, she heard the ringing on the other line, however, the phone Elis took out was silent. 

     Giselle couldn't believe it, she felt her world crumbling down as Elis showed his phone, "Wow, I knew you were obsessed with me, but, I really didn't think you would be so delusional", he said as he backed away, cropped out by the girl in front of him. She felt everyone's eyes on her as her body became heavy. Giselle, couldn't take it and ran out, the music confusing her as she tried to find the exit. But as she was disoriented, she caught a glimpse of Elis staring at her, and he laughed, he laughed at what seemed to be the funniest joke he had ever seen in his life.