Jan. Week 3: Leah picks the Frozen costume.

The air was thick with an uncomfortable silence, a tension that buzzed between them like static electricity waiting for release.

"I guess the Frozen one," Leah finally muttered, her voice laced with annoyance but also inevitability. A smirk spread across Mr. Baker's face, a triumphant gleam in his eyes as he reveled in his choice's victory. He couldn't resist a little chuckle, as if he were a child who had just been granted permission to indulge in his favorite forbidden candy.

Leah felt the oppressive weight of resignation settle onto her shoulders as she grabbed the shimmering gown and made her way to the changing stall nestled in the corner—a place she had become all too familiar with over time. As she slipped out of her clothes and into Elsa's icy blue garb, the fabric was cool against her skin, a tactile reminder of how absurdly surreal this routine had become. An unwelcome giggle bubbled up in her throat at the thought that perhaps she should have asked for animatronic snowflakes to complete the transformation.

Emerging from the stall and catching sight of herself in the mirror on the wall, Leah almost laughed at the absurdity mirrored back—an ersatz princess dressed for a cracked parody instead of a fairytale ball. Mr. Baker looked on approvingly as he readied his camera equipment, already envisioning what angles would best capture his twisted fantasy.

With everything in place, they commenced their illicit "shoot," with the camera capturing it all from Mr. Baker's perspective—his preferred and now habitual POV style. However, he had a static camera today too. What a pervert. Leah found herself sitting on the edge of the couch that was center stage to today's debauchery, determined to dissociate from the degradation by clinging to dark humor or perhaps just zoning out as best as was possible. She knew the wig was absolutely ridciuloous looking on her head, but Mr. Baker didn't seem to care.

"Ready to get into the scene?" Mr. Baker asked as she looked Leah up and down, nodding with approval at how the costume fit her.