"Nora, you owe me $23.85!" I yelled, my voice bubbling with excitement as I pulled out the pink tuxedo from its hidden corner.

"No way! You did not just find a reason to wear that pink tuxedo!" Nora's voice came from the other side of the house, her tone a mix of disbelief and amusement.

"Oh, but I did!" I called back, holding the tuxedo up for a quick inspection.

I could hear Nora's laughter echoing through our shared house, a sound that always brought a sense of comfort and joy. Our home wasn't large, but it was cozy and perfectly suited to our needs. It had three bedrooms and two bathrooms—one of which was conveniently attached to my bedroom. The other bathroom was downstairs, which made it easy for guests to use. The upstairs bedrooms were our private retreats, while the downstairs featured two living rooms and a well-stocked kitchen.

In the back hallway, we had set up a small bar table, which we had transformed into our snack station. We didn't drink, but we made sure to stock it with an assortment of goodies—from chips and candy to popcorn and pretzels. It had become our little haven for movie nights and late-night study sessions.

I slipped on the coat of the tuxedo, admiring its vibrant pink hue in the mirror. The fabric was a bit stiff, and the color was certainly bold, but that was part of the charm. I tied my hair back into a bun using one of those old-fashioned roller things, which had somehow become my go-to for quick updos. I bobby-pinned my side bangs away from my face and gave myself a final once-over before grabbing the mango-scented perfume from my dresser. I gave myself a light spritz, unsure if the tuxedo had its own peculiar scent after being stored away for months.

This tuxedo had been buried in the back of my closet for what felt like an eternity. I'd bought it on a whim one day while shopping with Nora. We had come across it in a second-hand store, and I was immediately smitten by its outrageous charm. Nora had tried to talk me out of it, arguing that I'd never have a chance to wear such a flashy outfit. But I had made a bet with her. I said I'd find a reason to wear it, and if I did, she'd owe me $23.85—why such a peculiar ambling? I don't know, but I'd never turn down free money.

Nora had reluctantly agreed, and I had eagerly forked over the $189, watching in dismay as it drained from my bank account. Despite the hit to my finances, the idea of finally wearing the tuxedo had kept me going. I loved the challenge of finding a perfect occasion for such an eccentric piece of clothing. And today, I had found it.

As I emerged from the closet in the pink tuxedo, Nora was waiting in the living room. She had her phone out, likely ready to capture this moment of triumph. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of me, and she burst into another round of laughter.

"You actually did it!" Nora said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you managed to find a reason to wear that thing."

"Hey, I told you I would!" I replied with a cheeky grin. "Now, where's my $23.85?"

Nora rolled her eyes, still chuckling as she reached for her wallet. "Fine, fine. You win. But just so you know, you're never living this down."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, taking the crumpled dollar bills and coins she handed me. I couldn't stop smiling as I twirled in the tuxedo, the pink fabric flowing around me like a curtain of triumph.