Welcome to New England

The Dress

(Alarm ringing)
Oh my goodness I cannot be late!
I told to myself.
I quickly shut off the alarm, and got dressed. I brushed my hair, then my teeth. I unplugged my phone from the charger. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could.
Dad i'm going out with Hannah today.
I said, walking out the door eating an apple.
Okay!  Be back before dark!
Dad hollered back at me.
(Ding)
I looked at my phone. I got a text from Hannah.
Hannah(Hey so sorry, but this morning I woke up with a killer headache.
Me(okay that's fine maybe another day for our girls day?)
Hannah(Sounds great!)
I walked back into the castle doors. Dad had seen me walk back in.
Ally what are doing back already?  Aren't you supposed to be with Hannah?
Dad questioned me curiously.
Well she's not feeling good, so she slept in.
I explained.
Oh okay just let me know if you need anything.
He told me.
Hey dad...
I said.
Yeah what is it?
He asked.
There is one thing------
I told him.
Before, I could even finish my sentence my dad's girlfriend cut me off.
-----Oh good morning Ally what are you up to?
When Michelle cut me off I could tell she didn't want me around my dad. Perhaps, she was jealous.
Oh nothing big.
I told her. It was a lie, but I don't want her in my business about Evan and I.
Anyways Dad can I borrow your credit card?
I asked.
What do you need it for?
Dad asked me curiously.
I'm going on a---a uh-uh date tonight with a boy.
I said while I was hesitating.
Oh my Heavens!  You have to let me take you shopping! 
Exclaimed Michelle.
Come on Ally it'll be fun, and it will give us some time to get to know each other a little better.  You know since i'm going to be your stepmom.
Oh no!  I could not believe what I heard!  She's going to replace my mother!
Um okay. I guess we could try.
I told her.
Oh!  That would be wonderful.  We're going to have so much fun!
Sorry mom from above that you had to see me replace you with some hooligan.  Anyways as Michelle took the card out of my hand she gave me a sweet smile and nodded. Maybe she wasn't actually mean and selfish as say. Maybe she's just an imperfection, who is very querulous about her looks, like Reba. Michelle drove me and her to the mall. On our way there she gave me a smile with happiness, like she meant well.
You know what Ally?...
She asked.
She carried on,
Your everything your daddy said you would.
She had that hillbilly accent, which everyone loved, including I.
What's that supposed to mean?
I asked nervously.
The day your daddy told me about you,  I was excited  to meet you.  He said you look just like your mother and even have her rosie cheeks. 
Michelle and my mother were best friends.  They told eachother everything.
I remember---
I cut her off before she could finish her sentence.
-----Oh look we're here!
I exclaimed.
Oh i'm sorry Michelle for cutting you off,  what  were you saying?
I asked.
Oh honey it's quite alright.  It's not important.  Now let's get shopping!
She said.
We parked the car. We walked inside. Shopping was always something Michelle was good at.
What  you need sugar,  is the dress.
She told me.
The uh--dress?
I asked with a forced laughter. I never wore dresses. Not since the day of my mother's funeral. Michelle went up to the dress, and told the dressing room lady,
Excuse me mam, but what do you have  for a 17 year old date?  We need (the dress).
Michelle whispered to the lady.
Ahh yes, we have nude pink sparkles. We have royal blue in sparkles.
The lady made some suggestions.
I really like the nude pink in sparkles.
I announced. The lady handed me the dress. With only a few hours away I slipped on the dress. I walked out the dressing room door, and showed the two ladies.
Tada!
I said cheesily.
So, what do you guys think?
I asked them both.
Ahhh! You look like my future stepdaughter, with all that sparkles and glitter.
Michelle told me. Michelle loved sparkles and glitter.  I think she even mentioned using a lot of glitter for her, and my dad's wedding.
Not good enough. More dresses please!!!!
The lady snapped her fingers and, demanded her co-workers. She was she the manager. She definitely knew what she was doing. 
Even if it meant criticizing.
The lady handed me some more dresses. I tried them all on,  until I came across the most stunning of them all.  The dark purple laced at the bottom, topped with the translucent top, with diamonds.
Hey Michelle I think I found the one.
I said.
Well come  on  show us girl don't be shy.
Michelle shouted over top the dressing room door.
Okay here it goes.
I said very nervous, hoping they wouldn't judge. I opened the door, and came out.
Ahh! Yep! That's the one!  THAT IS THE ONE!
Michelle called out.
We thanked the lady for helping us, and went to the register to pay for it.
We came home, and I got ready in my room. I slipped on the pretty purple dress. I wore my hair in a dazzling hair bun. I wore makeup even though I didn't need to. I brushed my teeth, and slipped a piece of gum in my mouth, just in case he kissed me. I slipped my purse onto my side. It was a side purse.
Then I realized I didn't have any shoes to wear. I walked downstairs with my Nike's on.
Um no nono. Where do you think you're going looking like that? 
Michelle asked me teasingly.
What do you mean? You said it yourself you loved the dress.
I explained myself.
No silly!  Not the dress the shoes! You must not wear those shoes!
Michelle explained herself.
Here come with me, I have something.
Michelle grabbed me by the arm, and pulled me into her and my dad's room, dragging me to the closet.
Here. Wear these.
Michelle handed me a pair of black heels. Of course they were sparkly with glitter.
Thank you Michelle.
I said to her as I was walking to the door waiting for Evan to pick me up.