Page 26 of Love, In Balance

Drew:Clothes.

Reed:I second what Drew said.

Oli:I shall be wearing a beige shirt, rolled up sleeves and my brown trousers. I might pop on a fancy jacket too.

Lista:Oli, thank you for being the only helpful one, but regardless of your reply, it’s not helpful forme.

I am a woman. As much as I’d like to wear a shirt and trousers, I actually want to look nice. I do however adore your style, so thank you for sharing x

Pip:You always look nice. Just wear what you usually wear.

Lista:Thanks Pip but dressing for a social is surely different. I don’t think people want to see a me wearing my dungarees whilst socialising. Every other person is going to look attractive and beautiful. I want to make a good impression. I don’t want to look like the resident engineering troll.

Drew:Youarethe resident engineering troll.

(I hate to say it, but he’s not wrong).

Si:No comment.

Lista:You guys are fucking useless. Thanks ever so much. If you ever need help about what to wear, consider me out.

Si:I can dress myself perfectly fine. Thanks for the offer though.

(Si is the single most infuriating human being I’ve ever met. Although he is one of the most protective too. I love him, but gosh he’s an annoying shit)

Lista:I hate you.

Si:I Love you too.

I do genuinely love him.

Lista: I need some new friends.

I type all of this with a smile on my face. I love our group dynamic so much. I’m a lucky woman to have such good friends.

Flic:(See— Gif of a monkey slowly peeling a banana)

I end up wearing my black shirt dress with bare legs and my slightly heeled boots.

I have Støtte, my cane, so I feel a little more confident being stood for longer. Plus it helps people to give me some space too.

I’d usually try to cope without for something like this, but my needs are more important than all else.

I have my knee-high socks packed away for when I get tired of prying eyes, and once I’ve finished welcoming potential newcomers.

It’s not that I’m embarrassed of myself and my needs. I love my prosthetic. But in situations with new people, I’d just rather not have to tell the story of my life, injury and all that, twenty times over.

Although I do love making up incredible stories to my nieces and nephews every time they ask me questions about it. I am naughty.

I pair the outfit with my black blazer and a black belt with gold details.

I lightly curl my hair and even put on a gold necklace and my dangly dopamine and serotonin earrings hanging from my stretchers. I feel nice.

Despite not knowing what to wear, and having zero helpful input from the guys, I feel good.

I’m not too casual and not too dressed up, so win-win! Plus, I still feel professional.

The event seems to have some very non-professionally dressed groups of people. When I first turned up, the outside made me feel like I was on a night out, rather than an organised event run by a university.