The next day unfolded with a familiar rhythm, a comforting routine that Missy had come to appreciate. She spent her morning working alongside Aspen, their easy companionship a balm to her troubled thoughts. The afternoon found her at Arc's food truck, immersed in the bustling lunch rush. The warmth of the sun caressed her skin, and the cheerful chatter of customers filled the air, but neither could fully dispel the lingering weight of her encounter with Rinale. Still, Missy pushed those thoughts aside, focusing intently on the tasks at hand, finding solace in the simple act of service.

As the day wound down and the last few customers trickled away, Missy began packing up her things. She waved goodbye to Arc, who flashed her a grateful smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine appreciation. She was just about to start her walk back to Aspen's shop when a Jezel spoke up behind her, cutting through the quiet of the late afternoon.

"Hey, Missy."

Missy turned to Jezel s her, a wide smile lighting up her face. Jezel paused for a moment looking Missy in the eyes. Then, unexpectedly, a blush crept across her cheeks, and she looked away, a hint of nervousness softening her usually confident demeanor.

"Would you like to go on another date?" Jezel asked, her voice a little softer than usual, almost shy. "Our last one kind of ended poorly, and I'd really like a chance to make it up to you."

Missy's heart lifted at the invitation, a smile spreading across her face, warming her features. "Sure, I'd love that," she replied, her voice tinged with genuine enthusiasm. "I enjoyed most of our last date."

Jezel's face lit up, her fists shooting up in a gesture of triumph. "Yes!" she exclaimed, before quickly lowering her arms and composing herself, trying to regain her composure. "Does tonight at 7:00 sound good? I have something special in mind."

Missy nodded, her smile warm. "Yes. I'll see you tonight."

Jezel practically bounced in place, her excitement palpable. Missy turned heading out, feeling the dark mood that had settled over her after her conversation with Rinale begin to lift. The thought of spending more time with Jezel made her heart lighter, and she continued her walk back to the shop.

When she arrived, Aspen was already seated at the table, waiting for her with lunch spread out before her. Missy greeted her with a cheerful hello and sat down to eat, the aroma of the food making her realize just how hungry she was.

"So, I have a date with Jezel tonight," Missy announced as they started their meal.

Aspen smiled, a teasing glint in her eye. "Not to jinx you, but I hope this one ends better than the last one."

Missy smiled, but the memory of how their previous date had ended still stung a little. She quickly turned the conversation to something that had become a frequent topic between them—Aspen's music. Ever since she had first walked in on Aspen playing, Missy had been trying, with little success, to convince her to play more often.

"So," Missy began with a playful smile, "think you might play for me again soon? Your music is beautiful."

Aspen blushed, looking down at her plate, her fork pushing food around aimlessly. "I'll think about it," she mumbled, as she always did, before quickly changing the subject. "Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about the upcoming robot competition."

Missy's eyes lit up with excitement. She had been looking forward to the competition ever since Aspen had first mentioned it, fascinated by the idea of creating something so complex and intricate.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"The competition is starting to approach fast." Aspen continued, her own enthusiasm growing. "I was thinking about starting on sketching designs tonight. Since you have a date tonight, we'll start tomorrow if you're up to it. I have some ideas I'd love to run by you."

Missy nodded enthusiastically, her mind already racing with possibilities. "I'm definitely up for it! I can't wait to see what you've come up with."

They finished their meal, soon Missy was back at work, her mind split between the tasks at hand and her upcoming date. It wasn't long before Jezel showed up, and Missy stepped outside to greet her, grinning as she took in Jezel's appearance.

Jezel was dressed differently from any other time Missy had seen her, and it was clear she had put a great deal of thought into her outfit. She twirled on the spot, giving Missy a flirty smile. "Do you like it?"

Missy's grin widened, her eyes taking in every detail of Jezel's ensemble. "You look amazing. Do I need to dress differently?"

Jezel's smile turned coy, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I would recommend it. I thought it would be fun to take you dancing to help you loosen up. It's a great way to let go and just enjoy the moment."

Missy tilted her head, not entirely sure what Jezel meant but trusting her nonetheless. "How should I dress? I want to make sure I fit in wherever we're going."

"Something like how I'm dressed should work," Jezel replied, but her smile faltered slightly as Missy snapped her fingers, and her outfit transformed to match Jezel's exactly, down to the last accessory.

Jezel's face changed to one of horror, her eyes widening comically. "No, no, no! We cannot go in the exact same outfit!" She shuddered at the thought, her fashion sense clearly offended.

Missy froze, unsure what to do, worried she had made a terrible mistake. "Here, I have an idea," Jezel said quickly, pulling out her phone and showing Missy a different outfit. "Try something like this but with a couple of changes. Maybe a different color scheme or some unique accessories."

Missy followed Jezel's instructions carefully, her outfit shifting until it matched the suggestion on Jezel's phone, but with subtle differences that made it uniquely her own.

Jezel smiled approvingly, nodding her head in satisfaction. "That trick is pretty cool, but to avoid any issues in the future, we should really buy you some outfits. It'll be fun to go shopping together, and you can develop your own style."

They headed out together, Jezel leading the way into downtown, chatting animatedly about fashion. After a short while, they arrived at a lively club, the beat of the music pounding in Missy's chest even before they stepped inside. The bouncer let them through with a nod of recognition to Jezel, and as they entered, Missy's eyes widened, taking in the scene before her.

The club was packed with people, the air thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, and the sound of pulsing music. Colored lights flashed across the room, illuminating the mass of bodies moving together on the dance floor. Missy immediately felt her instincts flare up, every nerve in her body screaming at her. The idea of being touched, of being surrounded by so many people, made her skin crawl and her heart race.

But before she could react or voice her concerns, Jezel grabbed her hand, pulling her into the throng of dancers. The moment their hands met, Missy's discomfort surged to the surface. Her body sent up warning flares, her instincts telling her to break free, to escape this overwhelming sensory assault. She fought against it, trying to stay calm for Jezel's sake, but it was a losing battle against her own nature.

As the crowd pressed in on her from all sides, bumping and jostling her, Missy felt like a cornered wild animal. Her instincts were screaming for her to lash out, to stop anyone from touching her ever again. Her breath quickened, panic rising in her chest like a tidal wave. She knew she had to get out of there before she lost control.

With a sudden, sharp movement, Missy yanked her hand out of Jezel's grasp, her eyes wide with fear and barely contained panic. She bolted for the exit, pushing through the crowd, trying her best not to maim anyone in her desperate need to escape. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions - fear, frustration.

She burst through the doors and into the cool night air, her heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird. She didn't stop until she was several paces away from the club, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could still feel the phantom touch of the crowd on her skin, and it made her shudder uncontrollably.

Missy stood there for a moment, trying to calm herself, trying to push back the wild panic that still clawed at her. She knew Jezel would come looking for her soon, concern etched on her face, and Missy wasn't sure how to explain what had just happened.