AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We walk in the store and Mom immediately finds a saleswoman. “My daughter would like to try on that blue dress in the window please. Can you show us where it is?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. We only got a few of those in and they sold out a few days ago. We have plenty of other dresses to choose from. Would you like me to show you a couple?”
“No, she wants that one. What size is the display? Can we take the dress off the mannequin for her to try on?”
“Oh. Umm, I’m not sure let me double check with my manager.”
After a moment, her heels come clacking back over to us. She smiles brightly at Mom. “Yes, she said that’s not a problem at all. Let’s go check the size.”
A few minutes later, I’m standing in the dressing room staring at my reflection. It hugs my curves in all the right places, yet it’s long and elegant. The blue seems to sparkle under thebright lights. I’ve never had the desire to feel like a princess before. This dress may change that.
I step from the dressing room and my entourage all gasp.
“You look stunning!” Adika says.
“Totally royal,” Tessa says.
“That shade of blue reminds me of Ethan’s eyes,” Stephanie says, in awe.
We all look at her. “What? Just because I’m not attracted to boys doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate good quality when I see it.”
We all laugh. Even my mom.
“You can’t go with the first one you like though. We have to be sure,” Mom says. She hands me an emerald green dress. I would probably never pick it out for myself, but thus far, Mom has been spot-on with my clothes. She shoos me away.
I step back inside the dressing room and slip out of the blue dress. I step into the emerald one and I have to shimmy my hips to pull it up. Once in place, it fits perfectly. The bodice is silky and slim and the bottom of the dress flares out like a mermaid’s tail. I admire my reflection. I would never have thought to try on green. But against my fair skin and long, brunette curls, the color compliments me well. I step out of the dressing room to similar reactions as before.
“You look so elegant,” Tessa says, clapping her hands together.
“That color really compliments your complexion,” Adika adds.
“Isn’t Austin’s favorite color green?” Stephanie says, smiling. “That dress reminds me of him.”
“Try this one next,” Tessa says, pushing a dress towards me.
I return to the dressing room again. The material feels silky, flowing over my hands like water. I pull it on and suck in,reaching behind myself to slide the zipper up. Then I smooth down the sides with my hands and stare at my reflection. The gown is a bright burgundy, with intricate beading around the bodice, and running down the train. I turn and admire the backside of the dress in the mirror. The front and back of the gown both reach all the way up to my neck, but there aren’t any sleeves. I don’t wear a lot of tank tops; I’m not used to seeing my shoulders. They’re not bad. The dress hugs my creamy skin nicely.
“Oh, wow, I like that one,” Adika says.
“Very stylish,” Tessa adds.
“That one would be perfect, if you’re going with Jaron,” Stephanie says, slyly.
“Stop it,” I tell her. “I am not giving you any hints. You will find out next week.”
Stephanie rolls her eyes. “Fine. Now try this one on.” She hands me another dress.
“You guys are just making this decision harder,” I say. “Stop giving me more dresses.”
“Welcome to being a girl,” Mom says. “Now go change.”
The next dress is all black, long, and flowing. The bodice reminds me a little of an old-fashioned Jane Austen era dress. But I don’t love the black. It surprises even myself, but I want something with color. It feels like the perfect dress for Stephanie, actually.
They continue to hand me dress after dress. I can hear them all waiting outside the dressing rooms, laughing and chatting about school and prom. I can’t believe I’m spending the day with my mom in public, and on purpose. But not only that, I’m hanging out with both Tessa and Adika. Two girls I never knew, really knew, before being nominated. And now they’ve become two of my greatest cheerleaders. Who would have thought we could all be against each other for prom queen,yet still be supportive and, dare I say, friends? And the fact that Stephanie is not only here, but also spending time with two pops in public, I can’t believe how much my life has changed in a couple short weeks.
After trying on several more, I go back to the one I liked most. Stephanie was right. It does remind me of him. I step from the dressing room one final time.
“This one,” I say with confidence. “This has been my favorite.”
