The Outsiders Fanfic: Where Does the Time Go?

Chapter 14: Emelie the Magic Maker

Arie's POV-

"Pink!" Cherry squeals.

"No, definitely go with a darker color. Maybe a red? Or a black? I think you'd look mysterious and sexy," Marcia says.

"Oh my god no she needs to look sweet and beautiful, something pink or maybe purple would definitely look great on you!" Cherry says.

"Guys, to be honest I don't really want either of those..." I say.

"Well then what do you want?" Cherry asks.

"I know! Let's just go to Emelie's!" Marcia suggests, "It's the best clothing shop in town!"

"Okay, but, uh.. I don't have any money. Well, I do have some money left over from babysitting Maisey, but it can't be enough to buy a prom dress..." I say.

"Well how much ya got?" Marcia asks.

"Bout $30 left," I say.

"Well, we'll see what we can do," Cherry says. We walk to Emelie's and all the way I can't help but be a little upset. I mean, since I actually have to go to prom, I want to look good. And of course that's kinda hard when your selection of dresses are... well... from the 1960's, if you know what I mean.

"Welcome! I'm Emelie, is there anything specific that you are looking for today?" says a lady when we walk through the door. The shop is filled with girls, most likely looking for the same thing we are.

"A prom dress, actually," I say.

"Ah, yes. I could've guessed that one," Emelie says. Emelie is a petite woman, probably in her late 20's. She has long brown hair that curls in just at the tips, and bright green eyes, with dabs of makeup here and there. "What color are you looking for?" she asks.

"We're not really sure. I mean, I just want something that looks good on me, that brings out my eyes, and that is... well, something new, fresh, perhaps the fashion of the future?" I say.

"And I want something light in weight and in color. Pink or yellow would be nice, maybe even a mint green," Cherry says.

"I want something black and red that'll show off my legs," Marcia says. We all look at her, judging.

"What?" she says, "I'll shave them before the prom... gosh!" she says, pouting a bit.

"Well, that seems do-able," Emelie says, "We'll start wiith yours.. uh-"

"Oh, I'm Cherry, that's Marcia, and this is Arie," Cherry says.

"We'll start with yours Cherry," Emelie says. We wander around the store looking at different dresses that fit her description. There were so many dresses that matched, Cherry must've taken at least 10 different ones into the dressing room. She finally came out with one on, and we all knew it was the one for her. A/N: (There is a picture posted with the girls' dresses).

"I really love this one," Cherry says, spinning.

"Same! It's so perfect on you!" Marcia squeals.

"I picked that one out!!!" I say, happily.

"Well, you look great in it, I think it's my favorite on you as well," Emelie says. "Next! Marcia, we'll look for you." We spend what seems like forever looking for Marcia's perfect fit. There's plenty of just red or just black dresses, but they are all long and plain, very simple. Finally, Emelie finds a dress that Marcia likes enough to try on.

"Okay, Emelie, you must work some magic because this dress is groovin!" Marcia says. Groovin...? Whatever..

"It looks great on you Mar. The neckline and all really outlines your shoulders, and the length is perfect to show your currently unshaved legs, but it's not too revealing. Really, job well done Emelie," I say. Emelie looks at me inquisitively, and nods her head with a thank you.

"Time for your dress now, Arie. You said you don't know what color you want?" Emelie asks.

"Well, I don't want pink, or white, or yellow, or black, or red," I say, "if that helps.."

"It does. I think with your skintone and eye color..." Emelie says, trailing off as she seachers for the right dress. She pulls from a rack a beautiful baby blue dress with a gorgeous neckline and a pearl necklace. "this one," she continues, "is right. Go try it on!" I go into the dressing room with the dress, and slip into it. It seems to fit really well, and I really love the way it looks with the pearls.

I step out of the dressing room and hear small gasps. I look up to see wide eyes.

"What? Is it awful?" I ask.

"No," Cherry and Marcia say in unison.

"It's beautiful!" Cherry exclaims.

"Super pretty!" Marcia adds.

"Aww, thanks. I actually really like it," I say, "Do you think Ed will like it.."

"Well, with that neckline, it doesn't even matter who Ed is, he likes it," Emelie says with a smile.

"Okay, but.. uh.. see here's the thing... how much does it cost?" I ask. Cherry's dress was almost $50, while Marcia's was about $40. I'm afraid I won't have enough...

"It costs $39.99," Emelie says. I look at Cherry and Marcia with a sigh.

"I'm sorry," I say, "I can't get it." I hand the dress back to her.

"Why not?" she asks, frowning.

"I only have $32," I say.

"Well, I'll make a deal with you, how about that?" Emelie says.

"What kind of deal?" I ask.

"I'll give you the dress for $25, so you'll have money leftover to have some fun at the prom. But you have to come and work here for me for at least a month. We could use some workers around here who know what they're doing," Emelie says.

"But I don't know anything about fashion.." I say.

"Well, it doesn't look like that to me. I think you'd be a great worker here, and you definitely have a unique sense of style. So what do you say?" Emelie responds.

"Well, of course! Yes, thank you so much," I say.

"Great!" Emelie says. We cash out and wrap up our dresses. "I understand that prom is tomorrow, and I'll give you Sunday, so how about you come in on Monday for your first day, say, 4pm?" Emelie says.

"Yes, okay, sure, of course," I say, extremely happy.

Emelie smiles, see you Monday!"

"Monday!" I say back as I open the door and walk out of the store.