EMILY
We visited a boutique in the mall that specialized in party dresses. Luckily, Indigo and Sky were getting along really well. They'd somehow hit it off during the car ride.
Sky was a little shy around Indie at first but Indie being persistent that he is, made her realize that there was nothing to be so guarded about. We were all friends, just hanging around. Indie was easy to get along with so that helped me from making this trip less awkward.
Indie brought a purple dress from an aisle, "I think this color will look amazing on you. What do you think, Sky?"
"I agree. You'll look bomb in it. Try it on. Oh, and I know just the place that has all types of shoes. You'll need heels for this."
The dress that Indie chose was elegant, satin with a slit in the front but the neckline was too low and I was not comfortable with putting my boobs on display considering how big they were.
I'd tried on about a dozen dresses since the past hour, some of them I couldn't fit into, and the others weren't my type. I was starting to think I wasn't going to find one today which wouldn't be the first time. It was always difficult to find dresses for my size.
"I think the neck is too low."
Indie gave me a look, "would you rather go to the prom dressed as a nun?"
"I think purple wouldn't suit me."
"Now I know an excuse when I see one."
The saleslady stepped in, "would you prefer something like this? It's a little high on the price but the fabric is top quality." It was an ugly green dress that I had no intention of trying on.
I spotted a peach pink dress that had glitter on it. Pink was kind of my weakness and it was hard to resist anything that was in that color.
"I'll try this one."
The saleslady helped me dress up. Surprisingly, it fit me perfectly. It was off-shoulders and every dip and curve in my body was highlighted. It was stunning and made me feel sexy.
When I walked out of the dressing room, Indie and Sky gaped at me.
"Whoa! Who is this girl? Do you know her, Sky?"
"I don't think so." She laughed, "turn around."
I spun around to show her the full look.
"I feel bad for Seth. He's going to fall to his knees and ask you to marry him."
“Where is loverboy anyway?”
“Hockey practice as usual,” I answered.
“It’s a weekend. Gosh, does the guy have time to breathe?”
“He makes time.”
“Oh yeah, that he does. Seth has all the time for Emily.” Sky said in a sing-song tone.
I ignored their teasing. “Be honest with me." I said looking into the mirror, "Does it make me look fat?"
"Gorgeous is the only word that comes to my mind." Sky complimented.
I clicked a picture of the dress, neck down, and sent it to Seth. His response was almost immediate.
Seth: The temperature in my room just increased. Why can’t I see your face?
Emily: Because the full-look is a prom exclusive surprise.
Seth: Whoa! Prom can’t come any sooner.
Emily: Can’t you get off early from practice and join us?
Seth: Sorry, baby. I can’t. We have a practice match coming up.
Emily: Okay. See you soon.
Seth:
I looked at myself in the full-length mirror. It just took a little bit of perspective. I was a little on the heavier side but that did not mean that I was not attractive.
I walked out of the dressing room and held up the dress to the saleslady.
"I'm buying this one."
*~*
I spent a total of fifteen hundred bucks on my full outfit but it was totally worth it. By the time we were done with shopping, it was already past seven p.m and we decided to go to the most famous pizza place in town. Tony's Pizzeria.
Even though Sky kept saying she wasn't going to attend prom, I'd coaxed her into buying a dress. I needed a friend with me, and it seemed like a waste to not have an occasion to dress up. I still couldn't figure out why she was so against it.
During the time that the three of us were together, I caught Indie and Sky sneaking glances at each other. Surely, there was a mutual attraction brewing between them. When Sky said she was feeling a little thirsty at the mall, Indie quickly went and bought a bottle of water and a soda.
“Guys, maybe we should go somewhere else. I think the za’ here sucks.” Sky prompted from the backseat as I maneuvered the car into the parking lot. In the rearview mirror, I noticed her eyes darted around nervously
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I heard Tony’shas the best pizzas around.”
“No, seriously. I don’t feel like having pizza today,” she complained.
Sky was never the type to act like a diva. Maybe she was picky about her food, or maybe she preferred gourmet or vegan.
“Then we’ll get you a hamburger or whatever else is on the menu.”
The restaurant had a vintage vibe, red leather seats, and checkered flooring. It was filled with the thick aroma of garlic bread and cheese. The place was mostly packed with people streaming in and out of there but luckily we could get in because Indie had his ways. He always found a way to get tables in restaurants that would otherwise never allow us inside.
We settled down and ordered two large pizzas with soft drinks and sweet-potato fries for Sky.
"Who the fuck orders a pizza with only cheese on it?" Indie complained.
"I do." I slurped on my large chocolate milkshake.
"You're gross." He turned to Sky, "Teach your friend the nutritional values of veggies."
"Today is a cheat day. Leave me alone."
Sky laughed, "You guys bicker like siblings. That’s so sweet." She swirled a sweet potato fry in ketchup.
"We could have been." Indie said stealing two of her fries, "Her brother was never appreciative of his little sister so I ended up taking care of her."
"Don't talk like you're some ten years older than me. When I was six, you were seven and roaming the streets in your underwear."
"Enough about, Emily." He cutting through, "Which school did you go to before you moved here?"
"Eastwood." She replied.
"We are in your town right now. Why didn't you say anything? This must be a familiar place for you."
Sky shrugged, "It is. Kind of. To tell you the truth, I never had any close friends until I met Seth."
"There's seriously something wrong with the kids in this town then."
"Someone as awesome as you not having friends, give me a break."
I couldn't picture Sky without any friends.
It was funny how I used to be in the same place, but I had good reason. I thought being curvy was a bad thing and kept to myself fearing that I wouldn't fit in with the other girls. Sky, on the other hand, was perfect in every way. Tall, average weight, hot, funny, sweet, and knowing that she had to go through some hardships to fit in was something that I would never understand.
"I remember where I saw you now." He said, pulling another slice of pizza into his plate. "I saw your twin brother. At the summer fair? Your parents were there too."
Sky nodded as sadness crossed her features, "You have a good memory. That was three years ago."
"You never mentioned that you have a twin." I blurted out.
She looked grim all of a sudden, "that's because he's not here anymore."
I shouldn’t have said that. Her twin had died so this town must have some painful memories. She obviously didn't want to come with us but I'd dragged her forcefully.
I put my hand over here, "I'm so sorry, Sky. I had no idea."
She gave me a small smile, "Don't worry about it."
We never discussed her twin after that. It was a sensitive topic that neither of us wanted to talk about. Indie changed the subject after that and we started talking about movies and books, finally mutually agreeing to go for a movie together.
This was fun. I never realized how much I needed to do something like this.
“Would you guys like some dessert, the specialty is apple…” The waiter stopped talking.
Why did his voice sound familiar?
I looked up to see a shocked Seth standing before me, holding an iPad and wearing a waiter’s uniform.