Unspoken Norms | Levi Ackerman ✔️

Chp 29 ~ Now That Is Fancy

Your POV

I felt anxiety once again take a hold of me. Anxiety that had nothing to do with exams, but anxiety regarding WHAT DRESS TO WEAR FOR THE FORMAL.

The event would take place at night on Wednesday... and it was already Monday afternoon. Yet I still haven't chosen any sort of attire that could pass for 'fancy'.

I grabbed my phone, swiping onto the chat I had with Sasha, Mikasa and Hange. The boys would be of no help.

Me – Guys, I need help.

Hange – WHAT DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?!

Me – What dress do I wear for the formal?

Mikasa – That is a matter we should discuss tomorrow. Let's meet up after school to go shopping.

Sasha – Yes! We can buy some snacks first before we shop!

Hange – YAS!!!

Me – Okay, so tomorrow after school. What are you guys wearing?

Hange – Idk. SOMETHING FANCY.

Sasha – OMG! WE SHOULD DRESS UP AS BREAD ROLLS!

Mikasa – You've got to be kidding. And I'm undecided.

Sasha – No guys, I'VE GOT IT! WHAT ABOUT A STEAK COSTUME.

Hange – Now that is FANCY!!!

Mikasa – ...

I shook my head, smiling to myself. I was glad I'd found this group of friends in the first place... a group who've never failed to bring a smile to my lips.

***

Like we promised, the four of us girls headed to the shopping centre the moment the bell rang. All the boys in our group had shared the same look of confusion, watching us leave the building with no small amount of questions.

"Wait, where are all of you going?" Eren had shouted. Usually Mikasa walked with him, while Hange and Sasha went through separate exits of the school. To see us all together... that was a first in the entire year.

"Is this some girl gathering?" Jean called, almost jealously. "Hey, then we should have our own get-together for the boys!"

"Yeah!" Connie agreed.

We'd laughed and left them alone, approaching the main gates of Eldian High. A sea of students were already passing through the exit, heights and hair colours varying alike.

Once we cleared the schoolgrounds, turning on a pedestrian path, the shopping centre stood before us in the form of a large ecru complex. A massive glass dome completed the roof, its myriad facets reflecting off sunlight.

I'd only been to the mall a few times, but every time I went, the centre's interior and exterior always dazzled me. Being just a street down from our school, it wasn't out of the ordinary to frequently spy a glistening roof as I entered and exited the gates.

"So, first off," Hange said in a tour-guide-like manner, "let's browse around the second level because that's where all the fashion stores are."

"Sounds good," Sasha agreed, happily taking another bite out of her sandwich. We took the escalator with Hange in the lead while Mikasa rounded the rear.

Hordes of people cruised about the first floor, attire ranging in every colour of the rainbow. Stores varied from stationery and homeware to restaurants and cafes.

The second level came into view, and Hange was right—fashion screamed in every glass window. Jewellery and textile shops were scattered along the way, only adding to the display of sparkling fabrics and accessories.

"Ooh ooh ooh! Come check this out!" Sasha exclaimed, skipping to the nearest store. A silver halter neck dress was worn by one of the mannequins, simply perfected with its glittering sequins.

Mikasa came up beside me, eyes running over the material. "It's very beautiful."

"No, no, not that!" Sasha said, gesturing to the mannequin's head. "This!"

A brightly coloured hat featured an endless pattern of hotdogs and fries, spiralling round and round the surface in red, orange, yellow. Well of course that was something Sasha would like.

"Anyway..." Hange pushed me forward, past the store we were looking at. "Let's move on!"

After hours of browsing through the shops, hours of fitting into dresses and spinning in mirrors, I couldn't find anything I liked.

That was until we headed up the third floor for a final browse. It was a luxurious store, parading mannequins in swathes of silk, velvet, satin, chiffon and many more fabrics I couldn't name. Compared to the smaller shops on the level below, this store had it all.

Hange squealed the moment she set her eyes on a sleeveless tulle dress, all shimmering white except for the turquoise sash. Upon a closer look, the edges of the ribbon were finely embroidered with beads. "This is FANCY!"

"Try it on," I encouraged, watching her head for the changerooms while Sasha inspected something else.

Turning to the bread lover, my gaze landed on the dress she examined; a simple yet elegant pleated gown, rose-coloured with a hint of magenta. "I'm going for this!" she exclaimed, hurrying after the science geek.

I continued strolling through the various dresses, some displayed on hangers, others on mannequins. Mikasa followed me closely, a silent force of protection if needed.

Then it caught my eye. 

Something sparkling in my peripheral vision, only to reveal an exquisite black satin gown. Silver lace curlicues were encrusted with tiny crystals and gems, forming an intricate pattern along its hem and one shoulder sleeve.

"I like this," I hummed, fingering the edge of the fabric.

Mikasa looked at the dress up and down. "If you like it, try it."

"What about you?"

"I liked the one we saw earlier. The silver one."

I smiled and turned back to my gown, all the anxiety I'd felt dissipating in an instant.