Bab 63: Fantasy Meets Reality

The room buzzed with quiet intensity, punctuated by the occasional sound of scissors slicing through glossy paper and the faint hum of whispered conversations. Contestants worked in pairs, crouched over vision boards, each team desperate to outdo the others.

Avery sat beside me on the floor, her legs crossed and her pink ponytail bouncing as she shuffled through a pile of magazine clippings. She was the complete opposite of Maeve—bubbly, preppy, and brimming with optimism.

"I think we're onto something, Freya," she said, holding up a photo of an elaborate crystal-encrusted gown.

I tilted my head, considering it. The dress was stunning, but it felt too far removed from the theme. "It's gorgeous," I said, "but it doesn't feel… real enough. The theme is Fantasy in Reality. We need something that feels like a dream you could wear in your everyday life."

Avery's eyes lit up. "So, like… a fairy tale, but grounded. Something ethereal, but wearable."