Imagines (5SOS and 1D)

Mystery Dates Part 13 (A.I)

YOU

I shrugged out of my shirt and left it in a heap on the floor beside my jeans. The dress Ashton had picked out was hanging on the wall. I looked at it, so perfect, so beautiful. It was a simple dress, nothing special. But just the fact Ashton had picked it out, it made it a little more unique.

It was similar to the one Hope had picked out. Powder blue, floor length, with straps over the shoulders. But where the other one was loose and flowing, this one was tight and fitted. I wasn't quite sure I'd feel comfortable in a dress that squeezed at my body, accentuating every curve, every line.

However, my thoughts changed when I pulled on the dress. The dress did in fact squeeze at my body, it was tight fitting, but it did flow. The bottom of the dress flowed like a waterfall and trailed across the floor. It was beautiful! It was perfect!

"Y/N?" Hope called.

"In here," I replied.

She pulled open the curtain and gasped as her eyes took in the dress. She scanned me up and down and her mouth dropped.

"Oh my god!" she gasped. "Where did you find that dress?"

"Ashton picked it out," I smiled.

"Ashton?" she asked in confusion.

"Yeah, I bumped into him in the store and he asked what I was searching for," I explained.

I ran my hands down the material, so smooth and soft beneath my palms.

"Well, he sure does have amazing taste!" she observed.

She was right. He had impeccable taste! I was surprised at his choice but couldn't love it more even if I tried. I knew this dress would work well on all of us. With Georgia's olive complexion, it would certainly bring out her tan skin and make her look darker. Hope's blue eyes would be a striking contrast to the powder blue dress. And me? It just worked in way I didn't think it would.

"Where is he anyway?" she asked looking over her shoulder.

"I don't know. He was looking for a suit I think," I shrugged.

"Has he asked about your date yet?" she asked.

She helped me out of the dress and hung it on the hook on the wall.  I pulled on my jeans as I answered her question.

"Yeah, he asked."

"And? What did you say?"

"That I didn't have a date."

"I think he wants to take you," she pondered.

She grabbed my shirt and held it out to me. I took it and pulled it on.

"I don't think he does," I disagreed.

"Why else would he ask about a date?" she queried.

"Maybe because he was just being conversational," I scoffed.

She tutted.

"You're really oblivious aren't you," she mumbled.

"How do you feel about him?" she asked suddenly.

I stared at her. What was she inquiring here?

"He's my friend," I said slowly.

"And there are no feelings?"

"No," I lied.

"No lust, no connection, no love," she stated.

"I... No... I don't think so," I thought.

"You need to listen to your heart instead of your mind," she said. She gripped my shoulders and gave me a shake.

"Stop thinking about the 'what ifs' and instead think about what your heart is screaming at you because right now, your heart is feeling pretty caged in," she continued.

"Deep down, you know what you're feeling. But you're just too scared to go for it because of the small possibility of negative outcomes. But you need to tell yourself, the negative outcomes are so small. So what's more important; your happiness or your protection?"

She smiled, a sad smile, and walked out of the changing room. My mind was spinning with the endless possibilities and I was beginning to wonder if she was indeed right.

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