Page 9 of Once Bitten

I watched as the door closed behind him, the light streaming through the window.

Was I dead?

***

“He said WHAT?” Heather exclaimed as we sat by the pool, our legs dangling in the water.

“He asked me to Prom.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said...um, I dunno what I said. But I think I agreed.”

“WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!” Heather jumped up and did a little dance, her feet leaving a little wet prints on the ground. “OH MY GOD, YAY! I knew we’d get to go to prom together!”

“But.”

“NO buts!”

“Just a small one...it’s more of a favor”

“ANYTHING!”

“Well, firstly...calm down.”

She dropped to the ground and sat with her hands in her lap, her face still bursting from excitement.

“Secondly...I don’t have anything to wear...and well, you know. I can’t afford to buy a new dress.”

“You don’t need to, I have hundred of dresses I haven’t even worn yet, come on!” She grabbed my hand and dragged me to my feet and up to her room.

She threw open her walk in closet’s doors and turned on the light. I stopped dead in my tracks.

I’d been to her house a hundred times, but I’d never been in her closet.

It was three times the size of my bedroom at home. Everything neatly organized and hung or folded and placed on the floor to ceiling shelves. Dresses, shoes, hand bags, there was even a stand for her hats.

“Holy crap.” I whispered, in awe.

“Huh? Oh yeah, Mom thought it I didn’t have everything organized, I’d just wear the same thing every day. Please. As if I’d be caught dead...”

I stepped inside and ran my hands along the row of color coded shirts.

“Ok, come on! Don’t worry about those shirts, come look at the dresses!” She called me over to the far left corner of the closet. She reached in and pulled one out, holding it up for me to see. “How about this one?”

It was perfect.

It was floor length and strapless. Midnight blue, the bottom half was a weightless silk skirt, split half way up the thigh. The bodice was sequined, reflecting light with every move, fitted but forgiving. It was made for a princess.

“Wowwww.” I sighed.

I wanted it, but...

“It’s beautiful, Heather, but I can’t borrow that, it’s too much. What if something happens to it?”

“Pfft, don’t worry about it, and you’re not borrowing it, I’m giving it to you. I thought of it right away when you said that Finn was taking you to Prom. I think it’s just beautiful, but it doesn’t suit me and it’d be such a waste just hanging in here. Isn’t it perfect for you? You’ve got the right body to make it look good. Here, try it on.” She handed it to me and I tentatively reached out for it. “It’s not a bomb,” she snorted, “ok, I’m going to go outside and you try it on and let me know when you’re done. I can’t wait to see you in it!” She skipped out and closed the closet door.

I took my school clothes off and slipped the dress over my head. It was tight around the stomach, but I wouldn’t be eating anything between now and then anyway, the butterflies in my stomach had taken care of that. I reached around and just managed to pull the zipper up my back. I closed my eyes and turned to the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes.

“Wow.” I couldn’t help but sigh, glad I was alone.

I barely even recognized myself. The dress fit almost perfectly. The skirt made my legs look long and slim, the bodice pulled my torso in tight, giving me an hourglass shape, curvy and voluptuous. I spun and the skirt flowed like a cloud around me. I was a princess.

“Oh my god. You look SO beautiful.” Heather shrieked behind me. I hadn’t even heard her come in.

I turned to her with tears in my eyes, speechless. I would never have been able to afford a dress like this in ten lifetimes.

“Yay!” She clapped. Then stopped, face suddenly somber. “I mean. Do you like it? If you don’t, it’s okay, you can choose another one if you like, I have others.”

I picked up the skirt and ran to her, wrapping my arms around her neck and squeezing tight. “Thank you. For life.”

She pulled away and smiled, “my pleasure. I told you we’d be going to Prom together! It’s going to be the most unforgettable night ever.”

She wasn’t wrong.