Played.

27: "Think Positive."

I had the perfect date for Winter Ball, all I needed now was the perfect dress.

We arrived at the first shop, a little store, with tons of pretty dresses squashed in. One of the workers there greeted us, asking what we were looking for.

"We have a Winter Ball coming up." I replied, as Marcus sat down on one of the chairs, pulling out his phone.

"Wonderful. Any ideas of what you want?"

"None at all."

"That's okay, that's what I'm here for." She laughed, guiding Bailey and I over to a rack of dresses, from which we picked a few to try on.

Bailey came out of the fitting rooms first, in a pale yellow, mermaid type dress. I followed closely behind, in a mint green, sort of cupcake dress.

"What do you think? I'm not sure." I asked, mainly to Marcus, who looked up from his phone after hearing us come out.

"Try another one. Bailey, the color of yours is cute."

"Yeah, it's a bit plain though. Are there any more in this color?" Bailey turned to the assistant.

"I'll have a look for you, dear." She left, going into the stock room.

Bailey and I re-entered the fitting rooms, trying on the other dresses. Eventually, we came out, not content on any of them.

"Thanks anyway." I said to the assistant, as we left.

"You're welcome, darling. I hope you find your dress."

"Me too."

After walking a little, we came to the next shop. It was quite a bit larger than the last one, with a lot more extravagant dresses.

"Hi, how can I help you?" A male assistant approached us.

"We're looking for Winter Ball dresses." Bailey answered.

"Perfect. We've got a ton right over here." He gestured to a section of dresses, taking us there.

After trying on numerous dresses, Bailey and I were no closer to finding the perfect dress.

"This is so irritating." Bailey puffed, stepping out of the shop.

"Tell me about it." I sighed.

"Alright, how about we take a break. Food and coffee, my treat?" Marcus smiled, knowing we couldn't say no to free food.

After filling up on pizza, ice cream and coffee, we left the food court, back on the hunt for a dress. As we were leaving, I spotted a small store hidden around the corner.

"Why don't we try there." I pointed, tugging Marcus' hand in the direction of the shop.

"I've never even seen this place before." Bailey said, pushing the door open.

Although the store looked quite small from the outside, it felt the opposite on the inside. Racks of dresses were spread out around it, making it seem heaps bigger. We headed up to one of them, beginning to slide through it.

"That one's nice." Marcus picked out a navy blue dress.

I took it, picking up a pastel pink one as well. Bailey had a few dresses, and was already heading to the fitting rooms. I hurried and caught up, slipping into the one next to her.

"So?" I said, emerging once the first dress, the navy blue one, was on.

"Do me a catwalk." Marcus cheesed.

I rolled my eyes, walking to the bottom of the isle, and strutting back down the the platform at the end.

"Hmm." Marcus tilted his head, twisting his mouth sideward, and gliding over to me. "I like it but -." He took my hand, twirling me. "See, it's not ball-y enough."

"And that means?" I laughed.

"It's pretty, but it's just not right."

"You're basically telling the dress it's ugly, how charming."

"I'm sorry. You're beautiful, forgive me?" He looked me in the eyes.

"Who was that directed to? Me, or the slightly offended dress?"

"Neither, I was looking in the mirror behind you." He smirked, playing with his hair.

"Asshole." I pushed him away, going back toward the fitting room.

Marcus ran up behind me and kissed my cheek. "I was talking to you, baby."

"Good save." I gave him a quick kiss, before going back in to try on the other dress, which I ended up not liking.

"Why can't I find a nice dress?" I plopped myself down on Marcus' lap, wrapping my arms around his neck, as we waited for Bailey, who was currently with the male assistant.

"Don't worry, sweetie, we'll find one." He cuddled me.

"No we won't." I groaned, into his chest.

"Stop being negative. Think positive."

"I can't wear positivity to the Ball, can I?"

"Don't be like that, Maddie."

I sighed, pulling my head up, to see one of the staff coming our way.

"Is everything okay?" She asked politely.

"No. I can't find a dress for a Winter Ball."

"Hmm. I might have just the thing."

Five minutes later, she re-appeared with a dress in her hand. "I think it will look beautiful on you."

It was indeed a beautiful dress, the most beautiful I had ever seen. It was long and white, flowing down to the floor. On the front, it had a haltered neck, and small diamonds along the high waistline, which was underneath the cut out sides. The back was completely open, with a low scoop at the bottom.

I gleamed, taking the dress from her, and quickly changing into it. As soon as it was on, I made my way out, desparate to look at it in the mirror.

"Oh my God." Marcus whispered. That was encouraging.

I glanced over to the assistant, who was smiling, arms crossed over her chest. She un-crossed them, taking me by the shoulders and leading me toward the full-length mirror. Letting go, she stepped back.

My eyes slowly reeled upward, until I was face-to-face with myself, standing in the most magnificent dress.

"It's perfect." I breathed.

"My work here is done." The assistant smiled, nodding and slipping away.

"You look beautiful." Marcus stood behind me, his arms finding their way around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.

"Me, or the dress?" I turned to face him, smirking slightly.

"You make the dress beautiful, babe." He kissed the tip of my nose.

"That was so corny. But kinda cute."

"Part of my charming ways."

"Mm hmm, whatever."

"So, I guess Cinderella gets to go to the Ball after all."