Elliot and his two best friends lounged in his living room, a mix of late afternoon sunlight and warm lamplight filling the space. The room was a reflection of Elliot's personality—cozy yet vibrant, with soft throw pillows in an array of colors scattered on the couch . A faint smell of lavender lingered from the candle flickering on the coffee table, where bowls of chips and candy sat within arm's reach. 

Elliot was curled up in the corner of the couch, his legs tucked underneath him as he absentmindedly twirled a lock of his blond curls. Zoe had claimed the armrest, her green hair catching the light as she leaned back, while Jo sat cross-legged on the floor, picking at a bowl of popcorn. Music played softly from a speaker on the shelf, filling the pauses in their conversation with a calming rhythm.

"So, Aaron apologized, huh?" Zoe said, breaking the comfortable silence. She tilted her head, her sharp gaze locking onto Elliot.

Elliot nodded, though his lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah, he did. But... I don't know. It felt more like he just wanted me to forget about everything. Like he doesn't actually see why what he did was wrong."

Jo frowned, tossing a kernel of popcorn back into the bowl. "That's the thing with people like Aaron. They apologize just enough to make you doubt yourself but not enough to actually change."

Elliot sighed, pulling a knit blanket tighter around his shoulders. "I don't want to cause a scene at the party, but I also don't want to keep pretending like everything's fine."

"Well," Zoe said, her tone playful as she stretched her legs out, "maybe you can cause a little scene—on your terms."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your costume," Zoe said, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.

Jo perked up instantly, scooting closer on the floor. "Oh my god, yes! Let's talk costumes. What are you wearing?"

Elliot hesitated, his cheeks flushing a soft pink. "I, uh... I was thinking about wearing a dress."

Zoe's eyes widened in delight, and she let out a dramatic gasp.

"Yes! Do it!" Jo clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable.

"Wait, wait," Elliot interjected quickly, holding up his hands. "I'm nervous. I don't know how people will react. What if they think it's weird or laugh at me?"

Jo leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "First of all, you'd look amazing, so screw anyone who doesn't get that. Second, who cares what they think? If you want to wear a dress, wear a dress. It's your night too."

"Exactly," Zoe chimed in, her voice firm. "You'd totally rock it. And, hey, if anyone gives you a hard time, call us and we'll be there to shut them down."

Elliot's lips twitched into a smile, their encouragement soothing his nerves. "You really think I could pull it off?"

Zoe leaned forward, her expression filled with confidence. "Oh, honey, you'll do more than pull it off. You'll steal the damn show."

Elliot laughed, the sound bubbling up despite his earlier hesitation. The knot of anxiety in his chest eased a little as he looked between his friends. "Alright, fine. I'll do it. But only if you both promise to help me pick something out."

"Deal," Jo said, already whipping out her phone and scrolling through costume ideas with a focused gleam in her eye.

As they dove into a lively discussion about fabrics, accessories, and makeup, the atmosphere in the room grew lighter, their shared excitement washing away Elliot's doubts. The soft glow of the candlelight and the steady hum of the music seemed to wrap around them, making the moment feel safe and full of possibility. For the first time in days, Elliot let himself imagine a night where he could be completely, unapologetically himself.

As the conversation swirled around costume ideas, the trio finally settled on an outfit inspired by one of Elliot's favorite musicals, Chicago. They envisioned him in a sleek black dress with a daring slit, complete with a feathered boa and a sparkling headpiece that echoed the glam of the Roaring Twenties. Elliot could picture himself gliding across the floor, feeling both elegant and powerful.

However, just as the excitement reached a fever pitch, his phone buzzed on the table, interrupting their brainstorming session. He glanced down to see Aaron's name flash across the screen, followed by a series of texts.

"Hey! Just checking in. Can't wait for the party! 😊"

"Have you thought about our costumes? We should match!"

Elliot's heart raced, a mix of anticipation and apprehension flooding through him. Should he tell Aaron about his Chicago-inspired outfit? It would be fun to coordinate, but did he really want to lead Aaron on? Their relationship felt so precarious, teetering between friendship and something more complicated.

Zoe noticed Elliot's hesitation, her eyes flicking from the phone to his troubled expression. "What's up?"

Elliot bit his lip, torn between the thrill of sharing his costume choice and the anxiety that came with it. "It's Aaron. He's texting me about the party and costumes."

Jo raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "What's he saying?"

Elliot hesitated, then read aloud: "He wants to match for the party." He looked up at his friends, his expression uncertain. "Should I tell him about my outfit?"

Zoe shrugged, her hair swaying slightly as she considered. "If you do, he might take it as a sign that things are back to normal. Do you want that?"

Elliot ran a hand through his curls, the weight of his decision pressing heavily on him. "I don't know. I mean, it would be fun to match, but... I don't want to send mixed signals."

"Look," Jo said gently, "it's your choice. If you want to enjoy the party and have fun with your friends, you shouldn't hold back just because of what he might think."

Elliot sighed, glancing back at the buzzing phone. "But what if he gets the wrong idea? I don't want to lead him on. I'm still figuring everything out."

Zoe leaned forward, her expression serious yet supportive. "Then maybe you can set the boundaries right from the start. Just be honest with him."

Taking a deep breath, Elliot nodded slowly, the nerves twisting in his stomach. "Okay, I'll tell him about the costume but make it clear it's just for fun."

As he typed out a message to Aaron, detailing the Chicago outfit and inviting him to coordinate without any expectations, a flicker of doubt lingered. But alongside that doubt was a spark of excitement—the thought of fully embracing his true self and celebrating with friends. He pressed send, feeling the weight of the moment shift, uncertain of where it would lead but ready to take a step forward.

Aaron's reply came through almost instantly, but as Elliot read it, his heart sank further.  "Wow, Chicago? That's... bold. 😳 I mean, I guess it could work? But are you sure you want to wear a dress? I mean, I just want to make sure you're comfortable."

Elliot's stomach twisted as he tried to decipher the mixed signals laced throughout the message. Was Aaron supportive or dismissive? Did he think Elliot was making a mistake, or was he genuinely concerned for him? The uncertainty gnawed at him, leaving Elliot feeling exposed and vulnerable.

He could almost hear the tone in Aaron's voice—was it tinged with disapproval? Or was it just a clumsy attempt at concern? The idea of sharing the spotlight with Aaron felt increasingly complicated. Shouldn't he be excited that Aaron wanted to match? Yet here he was, feeling more isolated than ever, caught between wanting Aaron's approval and yearning to express himself freely.

Zoe, sensing the shift in Elliot's mood, peered over his shoulder. "What did he say?"

Elliot sighed, turning the phone to show her the screen. "It's... confusing. He's acting like he doesn't know how to feel about it."

Jo frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. "That sounds frustrating. You should feel excited about your costume, not second-guessing yourself because of him."

"I know," Elliot replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard when he's so unpredictable. I just wanted to share something fun with him, and now I feel like I'm back to square one."

Zoe crossed her arms, her expression firm. "Elliot, you really need to tell him to go fuck himself."

"Zoe!" Jo bursted out, "you can't blame Elliot for trying to be nice to him. Were in all the same classes."

Elliot nodded, feeling the weight of their words. It was easier said than done, especially with Aaron's erratic behavior. He just wanted to have a fun night, yet the thought of Aaron's mixed signals left him feeling more trapped than ever. As he sat there, torn between the instinct to stay home and the need for self-expression, Elliot couldn't shake the feeling that Aaron wasn't good for him. He needed to end it, whatever it was. But not tonight, and not tomorrow. After the party. After all, Nate was going to be there, and he really wanted to see him again.