"Cotton Candy Sweet" : A Writing Exercise

For today’s post, here’s a little writing exercise curtesy of one of my favorite Beta Readers. Today’s word was cotton candy. I hope you enjoy. Pinkies up!

Cotton Candy Sweet

A frown dragged at the corner of Jules's lips as she stood in a sea of little black dresses. The cotton candy pink dress she wore seemed perfect for a cocktail party celebrating spring ‘til she showed up seeing a flurry of sophisticated women in black dresses.

Clutching her glass of white wine, the cool condensation damping her hand, she pressed her back flush against the wall. While others wore bright colors calling all the focus in a room to them, Jules was unseen. Just an eye sore that gazes glanced passed or avoided.

Sigh. All the light in the room seemed to envelop the ladies in their little black dresses, while Jules remained the unseen wallflower in her too-loud dress.

Eyes fixed on the entrance she tapped the tip of her right foot clad in a matching cotton candy pink kitten heel. Is leaving ten minutes after you arrived at your boss’s party rude?

Yes. Her grimace answered her question.

 As her stare remained at the door a flutter in her tummy rumbled. Trevor from Accounting stood at the entryway, hands in the pockets of his navy suit. The fabric stretched over his broad chest and muscular physique. The image of his toned body glistening with sweat at the company’s gym hitched her breath as she watched him stride towards the bar.

For three years she’d stared from afar, but never approached him. There’d been four or five interactions. The obligatory “Good morning” as they passed each other in the hall or the “Thank you” when he held the door. Nothing more.

There’d be nothing more again tonight. Jules remained at her post against the wall watching Trevor’s eyes crinkle with a big grin as he chatted with a woman in a black sheath dress just on the side of too sexy.

Eyes closed Jules leaned her head against the wall. What if she was one of the confident black cocktail dress women? A woman that stood out even when everyone else wore the same dress. A woman that didn’t hide against walls. A woman seen.

“I like your dress,” a deep voice coaxed her eyes open.

Trevor stood. His green eyes dragged down her body. Jules’s hands gripped the wall behind her to assure it was she that he was looking at. That there wasn’t one of the confident little black dress women behind her.

Just wall. No ladies. Just me.

“Thanks,” she said, heat prickling her skin.

“I know we’ve seen each other around the office but I don’t think we’ve ever officially introduced ourselves. I’m Trevor Jackson.” He held his palm out to her.

Taking his hand in hers, a tiny jolt of electricity pulsed through her. “I’m Jules Malone.”

A big grin spread on her face. Maybe the cotton candy pink dress was a good idea, after all.