The Unsolvable Equation

Chapter Fourteen

By Saturday, Alexia found out that K.H had made it her ultimate purpose in life to remind Alexia that Caden was her next door neighbour at every opportunity she got. Before they were even able to enter their first shop, K.H had brought up the matter 13 times, and it was starting to get on Alexia's nerves. K.H, whose initial reaction was no less subdued, had made it seem as if she was caught in some awful dilemma just because fate had decided to place Caden next to her.

("K.H, passion or whatever is not going to automatically radiate across the lawn and make me fall in love with Caden just because he lives less than 50 feet away," Alexia had repeatedly stated.)

"By the way," K.H said. "Does Almier know?"

"Not yet, I haven't told him," Alexia replied. "Besides, why does he need to know. It isn't as if this is of significant importance."

K.H looked at her as if she was mad. "Of course it is! His territory is being invaded and threatened!"

"I'm not his property! K.H you really have to stop over-dramatizing things," Alexia groaned.

"Oh you will be once we find you the perfect dress today and Almier gets charmed beyond salvation, if he is not already," K.H said with a sly smile. "Though neither you or I have ever been out dress shopping before, so I'm not very sure how to do this."

Alexia laughed. "Two girls who know how to solve the hardest quadratic equations, but don't know how to shop for dresses," she shook her head. "That's really saying something. What have they been teaching us in schools?"

They stopped in front of a boutique that looked like it spent more on renovations than it could afford and K.H pushed open the door. "Welcome to Natalie's world?" she announced.

"I'm pretty sure Natalie's world involves much less fabric," Alexia remarked, taking in the long, beautiful gowns around her.

K.H looked like a kid lost in the candy store and she wondered around, mouth agape and eyes sparkling. She ran her hands over the soft chiffon materials and beads that lined the waits and necklines of the dresses. "I think I've entered a different type of heaven," she muttered.

K.H picked up a white dress that was adorned with lace and a had pretty long trail. "This looks like it would fit you. Try it on!"

Alexia hung the dress back on the rack. "Are you serious? It looks like a wedding dress, people would get the wrong idea!"

"Fine, fine! How about this one?" she thrusted a dark blue gown at Alexia.

"K.H, we're going to a dance, not a royal ball. These dresses are far too long!" Alexia told her. "Let's try the section over there," she pointed to where the shorter dresses were.

Along the way, K.H stopped to pick up a figure hugging hot pink dress with a neckline so low it might as well have to upperbody covering. She held it out in front of her and stuck a seductive pose. "Check it out! Like, how do I, like, look?" she mocked in a high-pitched, nasal voice. Alexia burst out laughing.