Dragon's Wolf

Dresses and Penguins

Aeriella's POV

I could feel Aaron's prodding at my mental wall but it held strong. The fabric of the dress he'd picked out was soft and bouncy. Above all I think it was the first thing in the women's clothing section that I didn't cringe at the thought of wearing.

Upon stripping down to the ole underwear and slipping it over my head with my back to the mirror I began to survey myself. I felt the dress cling to my waist and chest but nowhere else. When I moved it was kind of... flouncy?

When I turned to the mirror I was caught by my own reflection. I mean damn, I'm hot. My lips couldn't hold back a smile and a silent giggle. My early girlish childhood came rushing back to me with intimate feelings. The last time I'd worn a dress surfaced in my muddy memories.

I'd been young, maybe seven or eight, when my mom made me wear a pink Sunday dress to her sisters wedding on Easter Day. The weather was warm for a spring day and I'd been playing outside barefoot with my other cousins. They too were dress clad with their hair done up in curls and ribbons and bows. My own hair was tied back in a blush pink bow. I'd felt so pretty and girly. I'd felt awesome.

Then came one of my elder cousins. One of which was a young teenage boy at the time who had it out for us girls. He'd laughed and mocked us from a distance but when I mouthed back he came over and threw the cold spring mud at us. One of the girls cried but the other screamed for her mom. He pulled the ribbon out of her hair and she cried more so I ended up kicking him in the nuts. Mom yelled at me until I cried, mostly because my pretty new dress was ruined. Dad had laughed hard enough to elicit a tear from his eye.

My bittersweet smile faded as the still raw sting of his death hit me. I don't think I'll ever not feel the ache of his absence. Despite how well she hides it, I know mom misses him more than anyone. We all miss him, after all he was my best friend. The heartache still hits when I least expect it too and I still tear up. Who ever said time heals it is a fucking liar. Time only makes it harder to remember the intimate little details, not dulling the pain.

I guess my barrier had slipped because I felt a rush of concern and unyielding love. The feeling was followed by a knock on the white changing room door, "Is it okay? Does it fit right dear?"

The voice belonged to Aaron's mom. I forced a smile knowing just the action alone would lift my voice and aura, "Yeah, I like it."

"Good, then let's et it. I don't see much else out here that would suit your taste." Her heels clicked as she walked away.

With one last glance in the mirror I changed back and ensured I was put back together before exiting the small changing room. I was immediately confronted with Aaron taking long strides toward me. His face was set as those stone sculptures and his eyes held a dark shadow as he neared.

I raised my chin to meet him and stood ramrod straight not knowing what to expect. I nearly jumped when his strong arms engulfed me in a hug. He nuzzled my neck and tickled my sides causing me to squirm. I couldn't suppress the giggle that bubbled up, "Stop, we're in public."

"So what." He pulled away just enough to show that cheeky grin.

The need to kiss him came from somewhere and nearly engulfed my mind. To save myself from embarrassment I put up a solid brick wall in my mind only to have the thought disappear. I must've frowned because his dark golden green eyes lit up with amusement. Narrowing my own eyes at him I pushed off from his firm chest and turned to his mom, " Control your son."

She rose her eyebrows skeptically, "He's a twenty-three year old man child. I've done my part, your turn."

The old man on the couch began to laugh earning smirks from the teenage boys nearby. When Aaron poked me in the ribs I smacked him in the chest, "So do we need to get him anything?"