Tough - Tup

The Dress

Up had been planning a little something special for Taz, he knew how much she didn't want to have her birthday on her own with her bad memories so he was going to give her a small party. He had rearranged his room so that there was room for a dance and decorations. He had paper chains in the shape of roses hanging from the walls and others much like those ones. He had a small playlist of songs ready as well, some of which he had often heard Taz humming when she was around him and a few other songs too. So, he had the decorations and the music. Now all he needed was Taz and one more thing. A dress for Taz. Up knew that this might be the most difficult part of the process. He had managed to keep Taz out of his room so far and she didn't seem to notice anything strange but the dress, this would be another challenge. He came out of his room, locked the door behind him and walked down to Taz's room. She had been an emotional wreck over the past few days, her birthday was just 2 days away and it was beginning to take a toll on her. Up knocked lightly on the door as she opened it. Her eyes were surrounded by dark circles and her usually glowing tan skin was now pale and lifeless.

"Oh Taz." He sighed. She said nothing in return but simply let him in and closed the door. He sat on the couch next to her, unsure of what to say. He felt as though he had said everything he could yet nothing made her feel any better.

"I'm so tired Up." She said hopelessly.

"I know, Taz. Maybe if-" Up paused mid sentence as something caught his eye. It was peeking out from a slight opening in Taz's closet. It couldn't be...she would never have one. It was beautiful, cherry red with small specs of glitter littering the few parts he could see. It was a dress. He had to ask her about it. He just prayed that she didn't take it badly.

"Taz?"

"Si?"

"What's that in your closet?" Taz looked up and sighed. She knew that usually she would have scolded herself for being so careless but she just didn't have the energy. She took the dress out and looked at it longingly. The dress was just as beautiful as it was when she and her mother picked it out 7 years ago.

"I dis was de dress. De dress I was going to wear for my Quincenera. My mother helped me pick it out 7 years ago so its quite old but I've never worn it. I fell in love with it de minute I saw it and because it means so much to me, I have never had de heart to throw it out." Up knew that this was a perfect opportunity to get Taz in her dress. He could see the desperation in her eyes. She wanted to wear it so badly.

"Why don't you wear it for me on your birthday. We can spend the day together so that your not on your own feeling sad and you can finally get a chance to wear your dress for a special reason." Taz debated the idea in her head. Maybe if she at least wore it once on her birthday, the dress wouldn't go to waste and her mother would be able to look down and see that she still loved the dress at much as her nine year old self did.

"Okay." A large smile grew on Ups face, receiving a small one from Taz. She hung the dress back up in the closet and sat down next to Up. Just two more days.