As she exited the restroom to mingle with the others, the teen's heart raced with nervous flutters. She was such an outcast in her blue off the shoulder tank top, jeans and sneakers; hair straight and lacking any form of make-up nor fancy jewelry. Maybe she shouldn't of come here? Maybe she at least should have kept the dress her mom had made for her rather than changing into her casuals?
This entire ordeal had 15-year-old Rinni feeling so out of place. She felt like everyone was staring at her, whispering about her, maybe even mocking her. She walked past a group and heard laughter. Was it intended for her, or was she overreacting? Maybe... maybe someone told a joke?
"Maybe I'm the joke..." She said softly to herself. 'Stop it, Rinni. You can't think like that. You're here to enjoy the party, to socialize. Now... suck it up and mingle!'
Her inner self pep talk helped a little, but not by much. Her shy awkwardness was showing through quite spectacularly. She was so embarrassed. She wanted to run. To go home. But if she did, her mom would only rub it in that she's still her baby... and her brother would never let her hear the end of it.
Heading toward the drinking table, she poured herself a small glass of non-alcoholic punch. She was a minor, after all, and she had no intent on going home drunk and getting both barrels from both parents.
Unfortunately, she approached the table approximately in the same instant as an older woman. She was gorgeous, possibly the most beautiful person Rinni had ever met. She caused the girl to blush and become even more self-conscious than she already was.
She placed the glass to her lips and began to down the punch, sweating nervously as her heart thundered in her chest. There was no way a woman of her caliber would socialize with a peasant like her. Oh, how she regretted coming here.