I gaze at the colorful window displays, sighing.
We head to the back of the department store, straight past the mannequins with the gorgeous sequined gowns that would probably fit me like a glove, and to the dimly lit, forgotten corner where the discounted dresses are thrown on broken racks.
The fact that Nan agreed to buy me a brand new dress is a big deal, though—even if it’s off the sale rack.
“Oh, this is pretty.” Fia grabs a purple dress and twirls around in front of the mirror.
I sift through dresses that look verythree seasons ago,but try to smile. “I want a pink dress.”
“We’ll find you something,” Nan reassures me, looking through dresses in my size. “And remember, even if it’s ripped or too big, I can fix it.”
My enthusiasm wavers because everything on the rack looks frumpy, last season, or full of big flower patterns that appear like they belong on a tablecloth.
However, ten minutes later, I’m in the fitting room, trying on dresses that Nan insisted would look beautiful on me. She can be very convincing.
A pale-pink one with beads on the straps and ruching on the sides catches my eye. It’s the only one that doesn’t look like it belongs on a mother-of-the-bride, so I slip it on and come out into the dressing room corridor, doing a little spin in my socks.
From the floor she's sitting on, Fia gives me two thumbs-up, and Nan drops her jaw dramatically.
“Are you sure you didn’t get asked to the dance? Because you are a beauty queen, missy.” She comes over, rubbing the pink satin fabric between her fingers. “I find it hard to believe that not a single boy asked you.”
My cheeks grow hot, and I look away.
I hate lying to Nan—it’s the worst feeling.
“No one did, but it’s okay, Nan! Really.” I twirl, checking out my backside. The dress is tight enough to show off my ass, but not too tight that Nan says no. “I’m excited to go with Grace and Evie.”
Nan grabs the tag hanging out the back, putting on her tortoise-shell readers. I already looked—it’s 60% off, so I think she’ll say yes.
“Plus, Danny and Jesse will be there,” I add, shrugging.
“Yeah, because no girls would ever say yes to them, they are so gross.” Fia rolls her eyes.
“Seriously,” I add, pretending to agree. Well, actually, my brother is pretty grungy.
Nan flashes us a stern look.
“Yeah, well, lucky for them, Grace and Evie agreed they could go with us as a group,” I add, and Nan’s gaze meets mine in the mirror.
“Oh good, you can keep an eye on them. Make sure they don’t get into trouble.” She winks at me, and I nod, keeping my face as serious as I can.
“I’ll try my best, they are wild animals,” I joke and quickly slip into the fitting room to change out of this dress.
“Let’s stop at the shoe store, they have a buy-one-get-one sale,” Nan says, reaching a hand over the door to grab my dress.
“Thanks, Nan, I appreciate it. I love the dress,” I say when I come out and meet them at the register. She kisses my cheek, and I get a whiff of her signature jasmine perfume.
“Sure thing, honey.”
I always pictured my first dance differently. I thought my boyfriend would pick me up at my house, bring me one of those fancy flowers for my wrist, and Nan would take pictures of us on our steps.
Instead, my boyfriend lives in the room across the hall from me, and no one in the world even knows we’re dating.
They can’t know.
Jesse passed me a note under my door three nights ago after everyone else went to bed, and I’ve reread it so many times, the paper’s getting soft.
P,
