Running Scared

Chapter 29

I spun around in front of the mirror. It was the beginning of April and prom was in two weeks. A long month had passed since Eric told me I needed to forgive myself, but I knew that and with the help with Dr. Piertson I did. School became easier to catch up on and I even made a new friend. A close friend.

His name was Aaron. We were really only close friends but he asked me to prom last week. I accepted. Mel squealed with excitement when I told her and immediately made plans to go dress shopping together. Her boyfriend, Jase, asked her to prom a week or two before Aaron asked me. She and Jase started dating in February before all the chaos.

The dress bubbled out around me like a waterfall. It was a deep blue, floor length, and strapless. It looked great on me but it wasn’t the dress. Mel stared at me with a smile on her face, hands clasped in joy. Mom smiled and nodded.

“I like it but I don’t love it.” I looked down again then padded to the dressing room. “Put on your dress, Mel. I’m going to grab another.”

She was still in the pink, knee-length dress she tried on last. She walked to her dressing room and closed the door. I walked to the racks and browsed the selection. Nothing caught my eyes until I found a white dress with rhinestones across the neckline. Simplistic yet perfect. I scurried to hide it away in my dressing room before sitting next to Mom in the chairs.

Mel’s mom had to work today so she wasn’t able to make it. Mel walked out in her fourth dress she had chosen. It was a black dress than hugged her body then billowed out to the floor, a slice up to her thigh. Strapless and a sweetheart neck line, she looked fantastic. She turned all different angles in the mirror for a few minutes before facing us.

“So, what do you think?” Her expression was nervous.

“I think you look great! That’s totally the one!” I smiled and Mom nodded.

“Really? Not too tight? Does it make me look fat?” She turned back to the mirror, checking out the backside.

“No! It makes you look – perfect!”

“I do love it!”

“Get it!” I encouraged.

She worried her lip and stared in the mirror before turning to face us. “Okay, I found it!”

“Excellent!”

“Now, go try yours!”

It was quick and easy finding her dress. I threw on the white dress and just walked out the dressing room. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. The dress flowed down to the floor and looked like white waterfall when I walked. Chunky, rectangular rhinestones lined the top and otherwise it was simple but elegant.

I couldn’t help but smile when I looked at my reflection. One of the few times I allow myself to be completely conceited is either A- when I’m trying on dresses for something like this or B- my birthday. But even the latter I don’t like being too self-centered. I caught Mom’s eye in the mirror and she looked happy.

I pivoted to face them. “Do you like it?” My voice hid behind the layers of light cloth encasing me.

“Like it?” Mel took another glance up and down the dress. “I love it! Too bad you went through like six dresses before finding this one but, dang! You look amazing!”

My cheeks went up into flames and I giggled. “Thanks.”

“You look beautiful, Jess.” Mom urged.

I nodded and decided that it sealed the deal. I went back to the dressing room and carefully stripped the dress off and rehung it. I walked back out with it draped over my arm and handed it off to Mom before Mel dragged me off to the shoes area.