Always

Chapter 68

I huffed in frustration as I threw what seemed like the hundredth dress to the floor of my room.  Every potential outfit I pulled from my closet was quickly shot down by my severe scrutiny; they were too old, too small, too ugly, too pink, too black, too everything.  No matter what I tried, I couldn’t even come close to satisfied. 

I shoved my hand through my hair, which of course, was refusing to cooperate as well.  Just once in my life, I wanted it to be easy to get ready for something important.  I kicked a lone shoe across my room in irritation, glaring at it when it crashed against my dresser with a solid thud.  Stupid shoe. 

“Joey?” my mother called from across the hall.  She, ironically, was also getting ready for a night out.  She claimed she was going to get drinks with her sister, but I suspected they were going to scan the local bars for men, which still struck me as odd given the newly-single status of my mother. 

“What?” I said irritably.  She appeared in my doorway, much more successful at getting ready than I was in a lovely grey dress with her hair and make up nearly finished.  I tried to smooth the frown from my face as she looked at me sympathetically.

“Still don’t know what to wear?” she asked.

“No, everything I have is awful,” I whined, shoving my hands into my closet in hopes of something appearing.  Nothing did.

“What about that one blue dress-“

“No,” I said shortly, knowing exactly which dress she was referring to.  I had deemed it too long and therefore not a candidate.  She frowned at my clipped tone and placed her finger on her lips, thinking of more options.

“I know, that red one.  That you were going to wear to your cousins wedding last year before it got called off,” she suggested hopefully, snapping her fingers in triumph.  My mouth twisted to the side, thinking of the dress she was referring to that I had completely forgotten.

“It’s not in my closet…” I said.  That was probably why I hadn’t thought of it- my mother kept it in her closet, for some strange reason I couldn’t remember.  Something about not wanting me to ruin it.  She held up one finger to me before disappearing down the hall, carrying the red dress in a plastic cover when she returned.  Holding it out to me, she beamed.

“This will be perfect, Joey,” she said, smiling at me.  She was in a very good mood today, which made me happy.  And, I couldn’t deny, she was right.  The dress was perfect.  I unzipped the bag to pull it out and inspect it.

Still in perfect condition, the red lace that covered the entire dress was soft in my hands. 

“Thanks, mom,” I said, smiling.  “It’s perfect.”

She beamed once more, clapping her palms together in front of her before dismissing herself so I could get dressed.  When she was gone, I slipped out of the t-shirt and shorts I was wearing to pull it on.  The soft fabric fit me perfectly, the hem hitting the middle of my thighs and the wide scoop neck settling impeccably against my chest.  I was surprised it still fit so well since I had gotten it nearly a year ago. 

After another hour of battling with my hair and face, I was satisfied with my appearance.  My brown hair was loosely curled and swept into a low, loose type of bun I had concocted, and my make up accentuated my features to the best of my ability.  I was ready with enough time to start feeling nervous, and I moved downstairs to wait for Harry to collect me.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived just as he said he would.  I was in the downstairs bathroom, checking my appearance one last time when I heard him knock softly and let himself into my house.  I emerged from the hallway to see the most beautiful boy I’d ever laid eyes on waiting for me by my front door.