Sarah and you returned to your desk

You took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping out of the cubicle. Sarah was standing there, waiting with a wide smile, her eyes lighting up as she took in the sight of you. She didn’t say anything at first, just nodded in approval, but her expression spoke volumes.

"Come on, let’s get you back to your desk," she said, motioning for you to follow her.

As you walked through the office, you noticed the shift in the atmosphere. Colleagues who usually passed by without much notice were suddenly paying attention, their eyes widening in surprise or curiosity. You could feel their gazes on you, and it made your steps falter slightly, but Sarah’s presence kept you moving forward.

When you reached your department, you saw a small crowd of girls hovering nearby, clearly waiting for your return. The moment you entered, they surrounded you, their voices bubbling with excitement.

"You look so pretty!" one of the girls exclaimed. You didn’t recognize her, but her genuine enthusiasm made you smile despite your nerves.

Another girl chimed in, "That outfit suits you so well, Alex. I never would have guessed!"

You looked around, catching sight of Clara in the midst of the group. She was standing a bit farther back, but when your eyes met, she waved and nodded with approval. Her calm demeanor contrasted with the excited chatter around you, and it was a small comfort in the whirlwind of attention.