Old Soul

Chapter Twenty-Three: Say Yes to the Prom Dress

            "We're going dress shopping after school today." Alice announces the next day at lunch, taking a seat at our table in the cafeteria.

"Who's we?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at her. Jessica and Angela look like they've forgotten how to breathe. Apparently, the Cullen Effect extends to the girls as well.

"You and me. I tried to get Rosalie, but she said no." Alice doesn't look surprised or bothered by her sister's rejection.

"Where are you going?" Jess's voice cracks on the last word.

"Most people get their dresses from a local shop. It's small, but it's guaranteed no one else will have your dress. I think they're all booked for appointments, though." Angela explains.

"Oh, we weren't going to that shop. There was one in particular in Seattle I really like, but with the crime resurgence..." Alice trails off.

"Didn't you hear? They think the whole prison break mess was handled." Jess says, eager to impress our new lunchmate.

"Really? That's perfect then. Can we take your car, Raquel? I'll give you directions. Granted, Glamorous isn't too hard to find, anyway."

"You're going to Glamorous?" Jess squeals.

"That's where I've gotten all of my formal dresses from." Alice acts as though it's no big deal, shrugging off the attention. I look between my friends with confusion.

"Glamorous is a luxury gown store. It's crazy expensive." Angela informs me.

"Then maybe I should just find something in Port Angeles." I say, the idea of high price tags making me shudder.

"Nope. I cleared it with your parents. It's fine, Raquel. Really." Alice smiles serenely. "Besides, you said you'd cooperate." She whispers so low I can barely hear her. I sigh, giving in.

"Do I get an actual choice in my dress or are you picking that too?" I ask, snark settling into my tone.

"Maybe." Alice gets a faraway look in her eyes, looking into the possibilities of the future.

"You know I have to pick up Will, right?" I ask, thankful for my little brother, even if I am using him as a scapegoat. "And there's no way he'll agree to go shopping."

"Emmett can go get him."

"Emmett isn't on the approved pick up list." I reply, smug.

"Rosalie was able to pick him up." Alice grins, knowing I'm backed into a corner.

"Ugh, fine! You win, Alice."

"I always do." She winks at me.

✧❉✧

"Out of the driver's seat." Alice commands, appearing next to me silently.

"What? No! This is my car."

"Either you get out and move, or I move you. Your choice." Not wanting to cause a scene, I comply, grumbling as I climb out and hand Alice my keys.

"What do you have in mind for your dress?" Alice asks, trying to keep the mood light despite the annoyance radiating off of me in waves.

"Shouldn't you already know?" I ask, knowing I'm acting childish but not ready to cave in just yet.

"Don't be grumpy. No, I don't know what you'll pick because I don't know exactly what's there. I did look online and did ask for some customs..." She trails off. "Are you kidding me? I ask for three dresses from that designer in particular and they only get me one? And it's that one? Ugh, humans sometimes!" She begins seething, speaking so fast I can't understand her rant.