A World of Colors

Chapter 15

I was having the time of my life, despite having only one parent abandon me.

Marlee had texted me last night after dad and I got home from dinner. Apparently, our girls day was still on. I had talked to dad about Marlee's invite, and he had encouraged me to go out and enjoying myself. And I thoroughly was.

She had told me to bring a couple changes of clothes- one for exercise and one for comfort. I hopped into her car at 8:30 sharp. It turns out that the best people are the ones attracted to each other the most.

Marlee's friends were just like herself. Thus, I made a lot of friends in the car quickly. I was currently laughing at my original worries about being friendless and ignored. I wondered how I could have ever been so naive.

They were all the nicest girls. Octavia was an expert swimmer. She is super involved at school- I counted at least seven clubs on average, which blew my mind.

"How do you manage all of that," I gasp as she relives the statistics.

"A lot of midnight-to-one homework sessions. I've had more than my fair share of panic attacks." We all laugh and move on to the next girl in the car.

Arya loves to read, specifically adventure and romance. She plays basketball. Tami runs track and enjoys math. She easily has the best grades out of anybody in the car. She wants to be a renowned accountant someday, and it certainly looks possible as we quiz her on the way to the gym.

It was a lot nicer to work out with friends. It gives you something to strive for, or brag about in most cases. I ran a six-and-a-half minute mile. Marlee could lift most of the heavier weights. Octavia easily outbiked us and kept her pace constantly high above average.

All of us girls were proud of something by the time we left to get changed and showered in the locker rooms. Chatter filled the steamy space.

"So, Crystal, how are you liking Smiths High?" Tami was almost always to be the first to initiate conversation.

"Well, I love earth systems, mostly because I have it with Marlee and Mark Evans and -," I hear a collective series of oo's around the room, "oh, come on, I wasn't finished with my sentence!" They all laugh at my embarrassment. "He is only a friend," I say, trying to make the moment less awkward. "Marlee is in my class, too!".

"Oh, well, that just makes everything worth it," Marlee starts, and gives me a mischievous grin as she finishes, "but they are pretty cute together."

So much for blowing it all off. Now everybody laughs and whistles as I cover my face with my hands.

"Speaking of, do you know who he is taking to homecoming?" Tami asks, her smile giddy and hopeful.

I smile, imagining going with Mark. They see my face and they all laugh.

"Well, I think we know who wants to be asked".

"Oh, you all are impossible," I say with a sly smile. I love being with girls.

After we finish changing, Marlee drives us to the cutest boutique across town. Surprisingly, the dresses are all somewhat modest, affordable, and adorable.

I spend quite a while scanning the racks for the perfect homecoming dress before I walk into the decorated dressing rooms with my arms full. I try on a teal disaster, an all-out red, and countless more. Everybody is taking pictures of their perfect outfits, and I am one of the only ones that are seriously struggling with my dress. That was until Tami walked into the shared dressing room with another option I had skipped over in my search. I slip it on and laugh at my stupidity on passing it up earlier.

It is a tan masterpiece. The sleeves are shorter, almost mid-arm, and the skirt is silky smooth. The creases fall perfectly around my shape. I have found the dress.