Senior Year, Biscuits & The Fuentes Family As Told By Nelissa Brown

Dresses, Doubts, Phone Calls and Fuentes

It's Christmas. It's Christmas. The holiday has arrived. I don't even remember Thanksgiving. Did it even happen? It must have because I remember the Black Friday sale. There's red and green everywhere. All the clothes in the shops and covered in glitter. Glitter is the key to mend a soul.
Now because we're not at school B, Cassie and I are all shopping for dresses. B is having her posh party. Or her dad is. He has one every year. Loads of rich people come and then there's fancy food and we get to drink champagne because rich people don't care if their kids get pissed.
At the mall we've been in this dress shop for hours. I love it here. It smells like sewing machines and sparkles. I keep trying this one dress on over and over again. I don't know if I should get it or not. It is a deep midnight blue with a strapless corset top and lots of flowy blue material and a light sheer fabric on top. It's really pretty and cute. But I just don't know if it's right.
B and Cassie both look so beautiful. B is wearing a red dress with sequined shoulders. It has an empire waist line with the hem brushing the floor. She just looks so pretty. Her dark hair contrasts with it all and when she wears her red lipstick at the party she'll just look beautiful. Cassie is wearing a short dress. It's an emerald colour and is embroided up to her waist where it comes down in netting, falling to her knees. Her hair looks so glamorous with her dress. She looks pretty it whatever she wears though.
Then there's me. I'm so plain compared to them. Like a potato. A potato in a bag of diamonds.
"Let me see, Nel." B said from outside the dressing room.
"No!" I exclaimed.
"Let us see." Cassie said brightly.
"Do I have to?" I asked anxiously.
"Yes, now get your butt out here." B snapped. I sighed and opened the curtain. I heard them both gasp. Why did they gasp? This is worrying.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"You look stunning!" Cassie gushed.
"Really?" I asked.
"Really. You're looking good, Nel. You have to get that dress." B said.
"I don't know." I frowned.
"Mike will love it." B teased.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I widened my eyes.
"Just that I thought about Jaime when choosing my dress." Cassie said carefully.
"But you and Jaime are a thing. Like a boyfriend and girlfriend thing." I said. They both looked at me. What are they implying?! "Leave me alone! I'm taking this off and buying it." I huffed.
Once I'd taken the dress off I went to buy it. We left with a few bags and went back to the car. B is driving. I don't know who's idea it is to let her drive. Cassie can drive. She's probably responsible about it too. I can drive, I think. My mom just doesn't let me. She says I'm a hazard.
When B dropped me home I said goodbye. We were all meeting up to exchange Christmas presents tomorrow. This year has been so expensive. Usually I just buy for my parents, Nicky and B. But oh no, this year Cassie, Tony, Jaime and Mike have been added onto the list. Plus Vic. I don't know what to actually get Vic. What do you get your ex who has just dropped out of college, likes his guitar more than you, is kind of sweet but also kind of a douche at the same time? I went with a ring. It's silver and has a little dark green stone in it. It's a manly ring.
When I'd realised that no one was home I decided to call Mike. This is easier said than done. Mike lives at home. Like in a house. Vic also lives in a house. It happens to be the same house. Vic could answer the phone. What if he finds out I'm calling and then comes to my house? I just couldn't handle a stalker right now.
I called Mike's home number and waited. I can be cool. I'm a cool cucumber. I'm practically ice. "Hello?" someone asked.
"Hi." I said gruffly. I'm doing my man voice. I do this voice when I call up the pizza place for the second time in one day.
"How's this?" Oh, it's okay. It's Mike.
"It's me." I said, talking normally again.
"What was up with your voice?" Mike asked.
"I was pretending to be a man." I said confidently.
"Oh cool." He's not even surprised anymore. I really don't know who I'll talk to when Mike gets himself a girlfriend.
"What you doing?" I asked.
"Nothing. Finishing up my holiday homework."
"You are such a nerd!" I gasped.
"Yeah, yeah," I can hear his eyes rolling. "What are you doing?"
"I just got back from dress shopping for B's party." I explained.
"Did you find one?"
"Yeah..." I trailed away.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." I sighed.
"Nel?" he urged.
"I just know I'll look silly." I admitted.
"You'll look fine," Mike sighed. "You- it doesn't matter." he rushed.
"What?" I asked.
"You always put yourself down, Nel. You don't show it a lot. But I know you do," Mike said down the phone. "You'll look lovely, I know that. I know because you always do whatever you're wearing or doing. Don't worry." he soothed. Gosh.
"Thank you." I said. I looked at saw Mom's car had just pulled up. "I've got to go now. I'll see you tomorrow." I said.
"Okay, bye Nel."
"Bye Mikey." I smiled gently.