Chapter 13 - Just Follow My Lead

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"Feels like every day is wasted,
Like I'm on a wait list,
For someone to really know me.

I don't know where you're from,
I don't care if it's real
'Cause I like the way you talk, the way you feel.."
- Fly By Midnight

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mia, are you done yet?" Rose calls to me from outside the dressing room. "God, how long does it take to put on a dress?" I hear her mumble.

"A long time when it's as tight as this one is," I call back, rolling my eyes even though I know she can't see it. "Where did you find this thing anyway? It's a death trap," I say, finally squeezing into the fabric.

It's so tight I can barely breathe, and that's saying something considering how much of a stick I am. I look in the mirror and frown when I see how flat it makes me look.

Well, I'm not surprised, this thing is basically a sports bra for your whole body.

"Just come out and let me see!" Rose replies exasperatedly.

"No, I look stupid."

"Dude, if you don't come out right now, I'm coming in with a camera."

"Alright, alright, fine," I concede. I pull back the curtain and step out of the dressing room. Rose makes a face that looks sort of like a grimace, and I give her a deadpan look. "See? I told you I look horrible." We both stare into the huge mirror facing us.

"Okay, so maybe that's not the one, but we still have lots of mall to go through. Trust me, we're going to find the perfect outfit for the party tomorrow." Rose says excitedly.

"And why does this outfit have to be a dress? Everyone's going to show up in jeans and crop tops, and I'll look ridiculous," I say as I head back into the dressing room to change.

"Rule number one, Mia: you are never overdressed. Everyone else is simply underdressed. Besides, there's nothing wrong with getting all fancy every once in a while," she replies.

"I guess you're right, but it's not like a dress is going to make Hunter like me."

"Why do you think it's so impossible that he could like you, Mia?" she asks, clearly annoyed. I can't see her, but I can hear it in her voice.

"Um, because I'm not blind? Have you seen him Rose? Why would a guy like that want to go out with me? Seriously, look at me," I say to her as I emerge from the dressing room in my original clothes.

She crosses her arms over her chest. "Mia, you're really pretty, inside and out, and other people would see it too, if you would just let yourself have the confidence to show it. And that, my friend, is why we're shopping. Everyone knows that the right outfit can do wonders for self-esteem," she finishes.

"Alright, let's keep looking then. But no more skin tight dresses, okay?" I plead.

"Fine," Rose agrees with a scowl.

**************

It seems like we've been to pretty much every store before anything catches my eye. Finally I see a dress that might be exactly what we're looking for, and I'm in the dressing room trying it on.

"Rose, I think this might be the one," I call to her.

"Well, come out and let me see," she replies.

I come out from behind the curtain, and Rose smiles.

"I think you're right," she says.

I take a look at myself in the wall mirror. The bodice has thin straps and is completely covered in dark lace with navy blue fabric underneath. It hugs my waist, showing off what little curves I have, and the skirt is flowy enough to be casual. It reaches to just about my mid-thigh, and it's actually pretty gorgeous.

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