Death Valley (Desert Children Series #2)

White Dress

The next morning my headache was worse than I thought it would be. Ghoul fluffed up my pillows and brought me a hot cup of tea. He stroked my hair as I relaxed.

 

“Last night was crazy.” Ghoul said and laughed. “Especially what you said to me before bed.”

 

I immediately sat up. “What did I say?”

 

“You told me you wanted to do really dirty things to me. You confessed your every fantasy.” He laughed more.

 

My face turned red. “Are you serious?”

 

He nodded. “It was cute though. I told you some things that you might not remember.”

 

I tried to think of what he might have told me. Nothing came to mind.

 

“What did you say?” I asked.

 

“I hope you remember it later.” was all he replied with.  

 

I finished my tea and got up to wash my hair. I had the intentions of visiting Rocket but she wasn’t in her room. I headed down to the sitting room where I was greeted by the sight of Rocket and Kobra making out. My eyes went wide and I walked away, scared. Rocket followed me into the kitchen.

 

“Look, I was gonna tell you about yesterday but you were drunk.” She explained.

 

“I just really never want to walk in on you making out again.” I said.

 

Kobra walked by me and winked. I made a disgusted face in return.

 

“Hey, today we are going dress shopping to take your mind off of it.” Rocket was clearly very excited. “You are going to be a beautiful bride! Imagine you walking down the aisle and Ghoul is crying from your beauty. You’ll be like Aphrodite or something.”

 

I shook my head. “You’re insane. But I guess I should get dress shopping over with. There can’t be a crazy amount of dresses around anyway.”

 

I was wrong. The amount of dresses I saw in the small boutique that looked like it was about to fall over filled the entire store. I sorted through them, trying to go for something simple but Rocket wouldn’t let me.

 

“Expand your horizons, kid. There’s so many more than just that. If you can see yourself in it, then go for it!” She was pushing through racks of vintage dresses.

 

I broke down. “I don’t see me in any of them. I’m so unattractive. How will I look good in anything?”

 

Rocket put an arm around me. “Honey, don’t. Try some things on. You’ll look great in anything.”

 

I tried on several things before thinking about giving up until Rocket brought me one more dress.

 

“Hey I saw this and thought of you. I know it’s crazy but I’m having total psychic vibes or waves or whatever.” She sat it on the rack in the dressing room.

 

I didn’t even think about it as she laced up the dress. My eyes were at my bare feet until I heard Rocket gasp. I looked up in the mirror to see her crying behind me and waving her hands to stop the tears in her eyes. I stared at myself in the mirror and my heart stopped. It hugged my small figure and slowly fanned out into a long skirt. The bodice was covered in small but simple jewels on each side. They dotted the skirt like tear drops. It featured no straps and laced like a corset in the back. Just as I was admiring the dress, Rocket stopped to look at the price.

 

“There’s no fucking way.” She said under her breath. “Fuck, Phoenix. This sucks.”

 

As soon as she said we couldn’t buy it, I took it off and walked towards our car. I wanted nothing to do with bad vibes like that. If I couldn’t have it, I would walk away from it. I had tears in my eyes as I waited for Rocket. We drove back in silence.

Ghoul wanted to know how things went but I wasn’t sure what to tell him. I quietly said that I didn’t find anything and we were both disappointed. I sat in bed most of the day, thinking about life itself and my wedding. How could something so perfect be so wrong? I just wanted a dress that wasn’t the price of all we owned.

Ghoul came into the room and brought a cup of tea with him. He sat next to me on the bed and handed it to me.

 

“How are things?” He asked.

 

“Alright. I’m just disappointed.” I whispered.

 

“Me too. I wish it worked out. Rocket told me about that dress.”

 

“Did she?” I looked up from my tea.

 

“Yeah. She told me I couldn’t look at it until the wedding when I walked down the aisle so when I bought it I was very careful not to get a peek at it.” He replied, smiling.

 

“Ghoul!” I yelled.

 

I threw my cup of tea down on the table next to me and put my arms around him. He fell back onto the bed with me and I hugged him as hard as I could.

 

“You suck for paying that price.” I said against his chest and laughed. “You suck so much but I love you.”

He ruffled my hair. “I love you too.”