Shrinking Violet {Flynn}

[Lany Bishop]

Lany recognized some faces (despite the make-up and costumes) but she’d done nothing so far to engage them. They might have exchanged greetings; she wasn’t sure. She found herself in the corner of the auditorium, wringing her white-gloved hands.

She was dressed in a yellow ball gown, the fabric cheap, a polyester shine to it, as most costumes had. It was nothing special, really. Her mother had picked it up for her at the local party store, claiming that Belle was the perfect fit for her. In fact, earlier that evening, she had looked into the mirror feeling radiant: despite the low grade, mass manufactured quality of her dress, it was full and flashy, and it fit her well. She could turn a circle and have it swirl about her ankles, just like she wanted. Her mother dashed blush on her cheeks, drew eyeliner over her lashes. When her mother placed the plastic tiara on her head – her gloved hands clasped against her chest and her white shoes turned in at the toes – she really did feel like a Disney princess, if only for an instant. Belle really did fit her.

All that enthusiasm had melted away not long after arriving. Lany was not very good in social situations and she was beginning to wonder why she’d even come. She’d been marginally excited about meeting her “date”, but each minute he didn’t show sent her silently panicking.

Suppose he didn’t come?
Maybe he couldn’t recognize her?
He’d forgotten?
Or worst of all: he didn’t want to?

Well, she thought, maybe he just hasn’t found me yet. If that was the case, she thought she might go out and look for him herself. She’d received a vague description via the blind date sign-up thing, and she thought she’d taken it to heart, but looking at the huge crowd now she lost confidence in it. Identifying the wrong person would be deathly embarrassing.

Lany only made it as far as the punch bowl. She disguised her inner turmoil with a nice cool drink.

[Deleted]

Flynn wasn’t sure how excited he was about the dance, mainly because he didn’t really know who his blind date was. In all honesty, he hadn’t even felt concerned enough to try and find out before it was too late. Of course that backfired at that moment. Or yeah, actually he still didn’t feel too worries. Who around Hammel did not know who the awesome Flynnie the Pooh was? She would totally recognize him to second he walked in. That, or she would have to play the game ‘Where is Waldo?’ given that he, in his opinion, pulled off that costume flawlessly. Awesome hat included. So, after the guy had arrived a minute ago, it did shock him to not have been approached yet. Perhaps Lany felt intimidated? That had to be it. All he knew was her name though… He hadn’t bothered to read up on the vague description.

And so he did opt to wait a tad bit longer. After two more minutes (which felt like ages to him), the dark-haired guy sighed and scanned the room. His plan? To simply step over to every girl who was by herself and who was beautiful. He wouldn’t mind lacking a date if it meant not being spotted by the side of someone unattractive.

“Lany? Are you Lany?” After three miserable attempts, Flynn began to feel kind of pathetic. Perhaps she had stood him up… Naaahhh, impossible! He even laughed at himself for that silly thought, shaking his head before heading over to another girl who stood near the punch bowl.

“Please tell me your name is Lany. And if so, that you simply couldn’t find me.” Any other reason was unacceptable… because it would bruise his ego.

(((Outfit!!!)))

[Lany Bishop]

Lany brought her hand up to her chest, as if in muted shock. She swung around to face him, the bright yellow dress trailing in her wake. Almost immediately her cheeks flared red – she couldn’t help herself, being easily embarrassed, or nervous, and what could be more anxiety-inducing than meeting a blind date for the first time? So much for ‘stepping out of her comfort zone’: that was always ill-advised, as far as she was concerned.

But at least he was here now, and she wouldn’t have to face a crippling evening alone. “Yes…” she replied.

Now that she’d the chance to look at him, she thought that he was a little handsome…cute? Charming? She supposed that was the word for it. He’d a nice wholesome look about him, even with that funny Waldo costume. Lany raised a hand to hide her smile. “You must be…Flynn?” She lowered her hand to clasp them in front of her waist, but her small smile remained. “Sorry, I couldn’t find you. I read the description, but…”

Well, she was never good at finding Waldo.

Lany straightened herself up and stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” she offered.