Princess Callie
A homeschooled teen who's never been to a dance.
A single guy running her prom-themed party.
And the best birthday present Callie could ask for.
"Callie! Are you ready to go?"
Callie took one last look at herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked cute! The long pastel gauzy green dress she wore reminded her of something an elven princess would wear to a fae ritual. But a birthday party would be good enough for Callie.
"And now for the final touch... a tiara for the birthday girl."
Callie placed the crown atop her head and made a regal face at herself. The crown and dress contrasted sharply with her piercings and spiky shoulder-length hair, but overall, it made for a cool gothic princess look. If princesses were ever plus sized. But Callie had decided that she would not let her weight hold her back tonight. She would have a good birthday no matter what!
A voice floated up the stairs again, louder this time. "Callie! We are leaving now! You cannot be late to your own party."
"Coming, Mama!" Callie shouted back. This was going to be such a fun night. She paraded down the stairs, only to see her entire family waiting at the bottom. Some of them had respected her wishes and wore full length gowns/suits, while others (her mother included) just had on the normal jeans and t-shirt.
"Well! At least some of you are sticking to my prom theme," Callie said dramatically. Her older sister Gianna scowled and pulled a sweatshirt over her floral purple dress.
"Yeah, against my will. You know we're not going to an actual dance, right? We're all just a bunch of fat weirdos showing up to a birthday party venue in ballgowns."
"Gianna!" Her mother scolded. "It's Callie's birthday-be nice. And we are not fat, just a bit overweight. Be happy with who you are!
"Callie, you look beautiful. I hope your first dance experience is amazing. Now, let's get in the car."
The family hurried out the door and into the car, shivering as snow crunched underneath their feet. Despite her sister's bad mood, Callie couldn't wait for the party. Her two closest (and only) friends would be attending, as would some extended family. Almost everyone had agreed to dress up and would be treating her birthday like it was prom. They might seem a little out of place at the birthday party venue, Confetti's Parties, that they had rented but Callie was sure everything would be fine.
After a thirty-minute drive that ended on an empty street in a town that had seen better days, the car rolled to a stop. "7:00 pm, just on time." Announced Callie's dad. "You ready to get this party started, kiddo?" Callie shook her head-she hated being called a kid. She was about to be 16! Remember, stay positive, she thought to herself. "Oh yeah! This is gonna be great!"
Callie, Gianna, their parents and little brother Jaxon piled out of the car and walked towards Confetti's. Jaxon stopped, open mouthed, when they came to the entrance. Music played and lights flashed, the storefront a haven of light and joy on an otherwise dark and cold street. Callie stepped forward and swung open the glittery gold door, dragging her dress's train behind her through the entrance into a room that could only be described as over the top.
"Hi, welcome to Confetti's! Are you Callie?"
