The One That Matters (complete)

Chapter 29

“Does this dress make me look fat?” Lucy twirled in front of a mirror, wearing a pale pink dress. We were in Madame Estefan’s boutique, trying to find the perfect dress for Spring Formal. Lucy was super excited to go shopping but unfortunately I wasn’t feeling the same enthusiasm.

  “I never understood why you kept asking that. How can it make you look fat when you’re not even fat?” I sighed.

  “What is wrong with you?” She placed both hands on hip. “I brought you here so that we could have fun finding dresses together. Not to sit and sulk the whole day!” She pouted.

  “But I don’t feel like buying dresses today.” I groaned.

  “Why the hell not? The dance in three days away. Three days away! We’re probably the only girls who have not bought their dresses!”She exclaimed.

  “Well maybe I don’t want to go the dance!” I blurted out.

  Lucy’s eyes widened. “Amelia Leonardo! Did I heard you right?” She cupped her right ear. “Did you just say that you didn’t want to go to the dance?” I nodded. “Are you insane?!” All pair of eyes were staring at us.

  “Lucy! Quiet down. Everyone is staring!” I whispered.

  “I don’t care if the whole mall heard us!” She screamed. “But you have to come to the dance. I finally have the perfect date to the dance and now you’re ditching me? The dance won’t be the same without you, Amy.” Lucy stomped her feet and her eyes started to get glassy. “Please come!”

  “I don’t know, Lucy. There are some things that I need to figure out first.” My shoulders drooped.

  “It’s about Chris and Daniel isn’t it?” She guessed correctly.

 I nodded. “I still can’t choose between both of them. And I thought that the best way out is to not choose either of them. It’s fair.” I shrugged.

  “But would you feel happy?” She sat next to me. “You think that by not choosing either of them, everyone would be satisfied?” Lucy looked at me as if I’m crazy. “You’re wrong, Amy. Even you have to admit that you’re hurting inside. Because you think you’re in love with both.” She embraced me in a bear hug. “You deserve to be happy Amelia. You can’t choose both of them but you can pick one.”

  I escape from her arms. “That’s my dilemma! I can’t pick one! And I sure can’t pick both of them could I?” I asked sarcastically.

  She grabbed me by my shoulders. “Listen to me. You might think that you’re in love with both. But I don’t believe that.” She shook her head. “Maybe it is true but there must be one of them that you love more than the other. You just have to use your pretty little mind to figure out who the lucky guy is.” She yanked me off the bench. “Now pull yourself together and grab a dress to try on before I embarrass you again!” She demanded.

   I sighed. Lucy’s right. I do deserve to be happy, don’t I? I can’t let boy troubles ruin my Spring Formal Dance! I know I still have to make my decision soon but for now I’m going to enjoy myself! I search for my dress rack after rack. There were probably ten different dresses in my arms before I finally retreat to the fitting room to try them on. After trying them on one by one, I still didn’t felt satisfied. None of the dresses felt right even tough Lucy approved all of them.

   “Just pick one already!” Lucy huffed.

   “I’m trying! It’s just that nothing feels rig—” I stopped mid-sentence when my eyes caught a hint of a silky white fabric. It wasn’t hanging on the rack together with the other dresses but it was in the lingerie section instead. How did that end up there? I walked towards it and pull in out at the same time someone else grabbed it.

  “Ouh, I’m sorry.” The girl said and let go of the dress. “Here take it. I’m sure you saw it first.” She smiled.

  The girl in front of me was really pretty with her long curly black hair and a sweet smile. “You really don’t mind?” I asked. “It’s okay if you want it.”

 The girl shook her head. “You should have it. I think it will look better on you anyway.” She insisted. “Good bye.” She walked away and scanned the racks again.

  I examined the white dress in my hand. It’s was the softest fabric I ever felt. It’s a full length evening gown with intricate details around the waist to make it look curvy. The off-the shoulder straps makes it look sexy yet elegant at the same time. I immediately head to the fitting room to try it on. After putting it on, I showcased it to Lucy. “Ta-da!”

  Lucy’s jaw dropped. “Oh my god! It’s gorgeous, Amy! You look like a goddess! It fits you at all the right places!” She squealed.

  I admire myself in front of the full length mirror. “It’s perfect.” I sighed in satisfaction.

  After paying for our dresses, we head to Starbucks to get an energy booster. Who says shopping is easy? It’s freaking tiring! We ordered our coffee and searched the place for an empty table. Suddenly, Lucy’s phone rang.

  Her face lights up when she saw the caller ID. “Hello! Yes, I’m done.” She paused while it was the caller’s turn to talk. “Yeah okay, I’ll meet you there.”She said before hanging up.

  “Who was that?” I asked.

  Lucy’s face turned guilty. “It was Adam actually. I’m supposed to meet him in 15 minutes. Do you mind if I leave?” She bit her lips, afraid that I’ll lash out on her. “Or I could cancel my date with him if you want. I won’t mind.” Her facial expression indicates that she was lying. She definitely didn’t want to ditch my brother.

  “You should go.” I insisted. “Don’t make my brother wait. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

  “Really?” She smiled widely. “You’re the best! I’ll make it up to you alright!” She hugged me before she left in a hurry.

  I scanned for an empty seat again when I saw a familiar face. Over by the corner, sitting alone and reading a magazine, was the girl in the boutique I met earlier on. Maybe I could join her? “Hey, can I sit? Every other seats are taken.” I asked her.

  She looked up from her magazine and smiled. “Sure.”

  I sat across from her and noticed that she was reading my favourite fashion magazine. This girl obviously has good taste. “I wanted to say thank you for giving me that dress. I really appreciate it. My name is Amelia by the way.” I extended my hand to her.

  “No problem.” She grinned. “I’m Rachel. Nice to meet you.” She shook my hand.

  Rachel? Where have I heard that name before? I wrecked my brain for any clues. Wait a minute! “Where do you go to school at?” I asked.

  She looked amused by my question but still she replied. “Deacon High.” Oh no! Its Chris’s cheating ex-girlfriend!