Escape

Ashley felt the net closing in around her. The sea of black-clad guests was relentless, their scissors gleaming in the dim light as the crowd cheered louder. She realized there was no escape. Her heart pounded as the only way to save her beloved dress dawned on her.

Taking a deep breath, she climbed onto a low table, raising her hands to quiet the room. "Alright, alright! You win!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The crowd fell silent, their faces a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Ashley reached for the zipper on the side of her dress, pulling it down slowly. "You want the dress? Fine! But you’re not destroying it."

The room erupted into cheers and applause. Some people whistled, others clapped, as Ashley let the red dress slide elegantly off her shoulders and down to the floor. She now stood on the table, wearing nothing but her confident smile and the boldness that had always defined her.

There was a moment of stunned silence, followed by an even louder cheer. Instead of embarrassment, Ashley lifted the dress from the floor, holding it high like a trophy. "This is art," she declared. "And you don’t destroy art."

The crowd roared in approval, their energy infectious. The DJ’s voice boomed over the speakers, laughing. "The lady in red has outdone us all! Now that is dedication to the vibe."

Ashley stepped down from the table, handing her dress to the waiter as she made her way back to her friends.

"This is so you," one of them said, pulling her into a hug.

Ashley grinned and shrugged. "Sometimes you have to think outside the box. And hey, I saved the dress!"