Arlene's POV
Standing before my bedroom mirror, I feel transported back to my teenage years, like I'm preparing for prom all over again. Though my seventeen-year-old self never could have imagined that one day I'd be the designer of my own dream date night dress.
This particular creation has been tucked away in my closet for what feels like an eternity. It's never made it past a second date, and while tonight marks our first official outing, I couldn't resist the urge to finally wear it.
Looking at myself now, I feel zero regret about this choice. The rich royal blue fabric drapes across my curves with an elegance that makes my heart flutter. The intricate crisscross straps trailing down my spine don't pinch or bind like I worried they might, which is surprising considering I designed this piece when I was twenty-two. My body has changed considerably since then, fluctuating through various sizes, yet somehow it fits like it was made for me today.
