The Runaway Princess

Chapter 13

-Storms POV

"Seriously Storm?" Adair said irritatedly. We were at a small dress store with everyone trying on and buying outfits. I had just said no to the fifth outfit Adair had handed me and she was getting very frustrated with me. Almost everyone was done except Baylen, Thala, and I. I kept making eye contact with Baylen across the room, we both didn't want to wear dresses and there was a suit shop a few doors down. I just had to escape Adair to do so.

"This isn't the right fitting," I heard Thala say from across the room. She hadn't picked one out because she's having it hand made as it seemed like. So far it looked great, it was a light blue dress with see through ribbons that looked like sea foam and beaded with pearls. She made eye contact with me and winked before tilting her head toward the door.

"Adair, what do you think of this piece?" Thala asked. As Adair turned, I ran and grabbed Baylen by their arm and dragged them outside.

"We're free!" I exclaimed and spun. Baylen laughed and we linked arms as we walked into the suit store.

It was a tiny shop, even smaller than the dress shop and the walls and floor were all dark blue, giving a mysterious feeling about the place. We sat down and a man came to talk to us.

"What can I do for you folks?" He asked. He kept glancing between the two of us and I had no idea what he was thinking.

"We would like to buy suits." I responded. The man looked so taken back for a moment that I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud.

"Young ladies," he started before both of us stopped him.

"Woah there, calm down before you assume too much." Baylen said. I'd always admired them for never losing face with all the misgendering they received. "It's just clothing, and both of us like wearing suits. Now, my friend prefers maroon and I prefer green so if you could see about that please."

"And if you could refrain from judging by looks or notions of opinions in the future, that would be wonderful." I said. Cowed, the man walked back into a back room where they kept the clothes.

He came out shortly with two bundles of clothing before directing us to the dressing stalls. I tried mine on and it fit perfectly. It was a pair of silk maroon pants and a red button up blazer. It was a little out of my comfort zone given that there wasn't a shirt underneath it, but looking at myself in the mirror I found that I liked it.

Going back out of the stall I found Baylen waiting for me.

"How did yours fit?" They asked.

"Good, I think I'm gonna buy it." I replied. "You?"

"Pretty good, I'm gonna get mine too."

We went up to the counter and paid the man from earlier. He was blushing the entire time, thoroughly ashamed from the conversation earlier. We left the shop and went back to the others. Adair was rightfully angry that we left but glad that we bought our outfits. Thala winked at us when we came back and we just merged back in. I talked with Hortensia and Odette about their outfits until Thala finished her masterpiece.

We left in high spirits, looking forward to the dance later.

—-

Later I paused in front of the large manor hosting the party. I was with Thala and Amare, everyone else had gone inside. Thala was in her seafoam dress with sequin bodice and Amare was in a dress that looked like a sunset, a light flowy dress with large boots, and I was in my red suit. We gave our coats to the guards at the gate and walked quickly from there to the doors.

To make things easier on ourselves when we first got the crew together, we created mini groups. Essentially, no one goes anywhere alone, that way you didn't get lost or left behind. My group was normally Baylen and Thala, which was particularly fun in social situations as Thala loved those but Baylen and I hated them but today it was Amare with us.