She'll probably tell me at one point in my life.
Ha, as if. I was determined to have a talk with her, but after the dance.
Tori was eyeing me suspiciously. She looked as if she'd forgotten something.
"What are you wearing to the dance, Lena?" asked my sister, as she poured milk on her cereal.
I shrugged innocently. "Noshing." I accidentally spit a bit of milk on Tori. She gave me a death glare, then took a napkin and wiped my spit off her shirt.
"First, do you have any manners? It's extremely rude to speak while eating. Now, finish munching the bloody food and give me a real answer."
I smiled. Taking my precious time, I chewed and chewed and then swallowed.
"Finally, now, do you have a dress or not?"
"Nope."
Tori froze for a second, it took her time to process my answer.
"Earth to Tori," I said, waving my hand in her face.
Then, she gasped loudly.
"Lena Rose Winter!” she yelled, making me jump in the air. “How in bloody hell do you consider yourself going to the dance? In your penguin pajamas?"
I held my hands up in surrender, "Calm down, woman. I'll figure something out."
"What do you mean? Americans, these days. Are you sure you're a girl? Honestly, all I see in movies is women always freaking out about how they have to look perfect."
I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed, “Shut up."
Hurt flashed in her eyes, then she recomposed herself quite quickly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" I sighed, feeling guilt washing over me. Tori stuck her tongue out.
I grabbed my bag, heading for the door.
"Come on, we're going to be late for school. I'll figure something out later."
A hand clutched my arm, I turned to face Tori, who had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Uh-oh, not good.
"No, missy. You ain't going anywhere. We're going shopping,"
My eyes widened. "Tori. We have school. I'm not skipping it just because of a stupid dress."
She raised her eyebrows, as if daring me to challenge her.
"Oh, don't look at me that way," I exclaimed, cowering a bit. That did nothing but intensify her glare.
"Stop it, Tori."
She smirked, knowing I was about to crack.
"Stop smirking, for God's sake!"
My she-devil sister smiled fully.
"Yeah, yeah we're going shopping. Wipe that grin off your face."
We headed for her bright red car and Tori started the engine.
"Mission Dance: Find Lena a Suitable Outfit. Mission F.L.A.S.O. begins now," shouted Tori, as the car moved in the direction of Riverside Mall.
♥♥♥♥♥
My older sister and I scanned the display glass in different stores. I was extremely bored and tired, while Tori resembled a child who'd eaten too much candy. Her chocolate brown hair bounced on her shoulders from all the jumping around.
"Step one: Find a dress,” said Tori in a robotic voice. She added, “Still failing, so far."
She grabbed my hand and practically ran into a random store, the name of which I didn't catch. Once inside, I was astonished. It was the fanciest store I've ever been in.
The walls were painted a creamy, elegant white and in some parts, there were rosy vines. A huge chandelier lit up the store, making it look as if a thousand candles were hanging just beneath the ceiling. Cozy-looking, chic cushions were almost everywhere. Beside each one, there was a cup of tea. But that wasn't what made my mouth go dry.
The dresses were the reason. They were in every place I laid my eyes on. A hundred shades of every single color in the world.
"Hello, dear," a kindly voice said, interrupting my dreamy bewilderment. I turned to face a sophisticated looking, middle-aged saleswoman. Her hair was held neatly by a clip, her face had the perfect amount of makeup on it and her clothes looked more expensive than the contents of my entire closet put together. I had to frown, looking down at my puffy black jacket, red jeans and ratty sneakers.
I took that moment to close my mouth, fearing that I'd embarrassed myself even more.
"Hello, Susie!” Tori, my lifesaver, replied on my behalf. “This is my sister, Lena. We're looking for a dress, she has a dance to attend." I shot her a grateful smile and she winked at me.
Susie nodded her head and motioned gracefully toward a rack of different dresses.
"These are all probably your size. Which ones would you like to try on?"
I cleared my throat and gave Tori a glare. How was I supposed to know which one was The One?
My sister grabbed about 10 dresses and handed them to me.
"Oh, I don't think we'll need your help anymore, Susie, I think I can deal with my little bear," said Tori, addressing herself to the saleswoman.
I felt my eyes widen. I was seriously scared, yet amused at the same time.
Tori could be a cute koala, but she can equally be a mean, mama bear.
"Go try them on," ordered Tori.
I did a salute, then muttered "Yes, ma'am,” as I headed for a dressing room.
I took a random dress from Tori’s selection, then tried it on. I frowned. It was a tube, floor-length, bright green dress. There was absolutely nothing special about it, save for a few jewels lining the hem to make it look less plain.
I opened the curtain, prepared to face Tori's opinion.
Her face scrunched up in a grimace and with the hand that didn't hold a cup of tea, she motioned for me to turn around. I obeyed.
"No, no, no! You look like a vegetable I would never eat! Lena, you look like a celery!"
I stuck my tongue out childishly, then went back to the dressing room. I sighed.
And so it went on for at least two hours. Me, trying on every single dress Tori had picked out and her, finding an undesirable quirk in every single one. She seemed to have a thing against fruits and vegetables.
Apple, orange, banana, cucumber, tomato… the list goes on and on.
SOS, I texted Liam quickly, Tori took me shopping.
I was absolutely exhausted. I just wanted to go home. But there was a part of me that really hoped to find a nice, presentable dress. After all, I didn't want Liam to regret saying yes.
Suck it up, woman, was his merciless reply. I could see him laughing at me.
I was fed up with these dresses. They were all beautiful, but I made them look plain. I looked down at the one I was currently wearing. It was a short, puffy pale orange dress with diamonds everywhere. I liked it, but I wasn't sure Tori would.
"Tori!” I called out, “I look like a peach, I don't want to come out!"
"Get out here, dummy!"
I grunted, but did as she asked.
"Tada!" I exclaimed dully as I stepped out.
I was greeted by the same grimace, "You were right about the peach part."
Surprising me, she sighed, exasperated. "Argh, why are there no It dresses!"
I looked at her, realizing for the first time how tired she was. Yeah, sure, she'd been annoying during the day, but she really cared about me.
"If I may, I think I have the perfect dress for you, Ms. Winter," said Susie, who'd been silently standing there all along.
"Please, help me," I pleaded, still in my peach dress.
Susie disappeared for a couple of minutes, then came back with a white box.
"Try it on, what are you waiting for?" I saw curiosity and excitement written all over Tori's expression. I took the box and sprinted into the dressing room.
I opened the huge white box and inside, laid a perfectly folded midnight blue gown. I drew it out of its box and shook it out, and only then did it reveal its true glory.
Breathlessly, I took in the beauty of it. The way the subtly sequined fabric flowed was elegant. If a dress could illustrate perfection, this would be it. I was itching to try it on. Suddenly, I felt excited. I tried to picture it: me at the dance, wearing this amazing thing of beauty and blu
shing at Liam's surprised expression. I could already see the twinkle in his beautiful, blue eyes. This dress was the most faultless, wonderful thing I've ever seen.
I slipped it on and to my surprise, it fit me flawlessly. I faced the mirror.
Who was the stranger standing there? Her long hair fell almost down to her waist, and her chestnut eyes seemed to be glittering. Her skin seemed to be glowing.
And it hit me.
That girl was me.
The dress molded my torso beautifully, complimenting my shape. The gown drifted slightly from my legs and ended at a brush past my toes. It was the color of a beautiful midnight blue, a shade darker than Liam's eyes. Its strapless style highlighted my collarbone and made it look wrapped in smooth, alluring, skin. There were subtle ruffles on the hem of the dress, making me feel like a princess. In this dress, I wasn't "just" Lena, I was a beautiful girl.
I felt like something was missing. I looked in the box and saw my answer. A gorgeous pair of heels the same color as the dress were lying there. I searched for the size. I felt myself gasp. It was a size 6. I was a size 6. How could this be possible?
I'd have to ask Susie.
I put them on and marveled at their comfort.
"Lena! I'm dying over here!" yelled an overly excited Tori. I could hear her impatient feet stomping around.
I smiled a little, then opened the curtain. Susie grinned knowingly and Tori took in a sharp breath.
"Y-You. Look. Bloody. Fit," muttered Tori while encircling me, her eyes full of wonder.
"Thank you so much, Susie," I told my new lifesaver. She nodded.
"How is it possible that everything fits me perfectly?" I asked, intrigued.
"Well, dear,” answered Susie, “We have a new member in the staff and she'd been working on this masterpiece, day and night."
"Who?" I asked, her answer only making me more confused.
As soon as the words left my mouth, it clicked in my head. I felt shock and gratitude all over me. Susie smiled and nodded, confirming my unspoken revelation.
"I knew all that hard work would've never gone to waste. I was designing that dress for a special occasion, and there you are, looking so beautiful."
I turned toward the voice and saw the face of ‘the new staff member’ shine with pride. I felt my eyes prickle with tears. I ran into her arms and muttered: "Thank you, thank you, thank you." My mother cupped my face in her hands and smiled.
Being herself, Tori wrapped her arms around both of us. We laughed, and I felt my face get wet with tears.
"Family love! Oh my god, Lena! You're not supposed to cry!” complained Tori. “We still have 6 hours before the dance. How about we go to Starbucks and act all family-cute over there?"
I looked back and forth at Tori and my amazing mother.
It’s been a long time since I last felt like a little bear, sheltered and protected by the most extraordinary people in the world.
14
Feeling like Love
“You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.”
~Albert Einstein~
Lena Rose Winter
"Bloody hell, time passes by!” exclaimed Tori while examining me. “We have 3 hours to get you ready."
"Yes. We have three hours to make her look like a princess,” agreed Mom. “Liam's princess," she added, making a blush rise on my cheeks.
"Oh, come on! I just need a little makeup, my hair down and my dress on!” I protested. “That doesn't take three freaking hours!"
"Tut, tut. You're pretty, but we need to make you look like the most beautiful girl at the dance," shushed my mother.
I huffed and crossed my arms together.
Are you confused? Let me clear that up. I was sitting on a chair, back directed towards a big mirror. My dear mother and sister were examining every inch of my face. They insisted on making my final look a surprise - to me. Apparently, I had no right to look at my reflection until the very end of their work.
"We'll start with makeup," declared Tori, taking her kit. My mom agreed.
I sighed. This was going to be the longest three hours of my life.
♥♥♥♥♥
After two hours and forty-five minutes of pampering, Tori and Mom smirked with pride.
"So? How do I look?" I asked nervously. Tori smiled. Oh come on! Just reassure me, for God's sake!
"Stand up, and take a look at our marvelous work," ordered Mom. I stood up, and finally turned to face the mirror.
There stood a brunette with an indescribable beauty. Her hair was a rich shade of chestnut brown. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing, olive skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes and eyeliner, were popping out in a bright, chestnut color. I saw a gleam of excitement and bewilderment in them. Her cheeks were tainted by a dark color of red. Her full lips made the stranger look mature, as they were curved into a smile. That wasn't all. The dress she was wearing fit her like a second skin, but in an elegant way.
"W-Who is this?" I managed to say, and strangely enough, the lips in the mirror reflected my action.
Tori and Mom smiled, and my sister put a hand on my shoulder.
"You," revealed Tori, nodding in my direction.
I felt myself slowly recover from the shock I was in and my eyes widened.
The alien in the mirror was me. Me?
Yes, me, idiot.
Shut up, me.
Well, we look beautiful and I don't feel like fighting with me right now.
I looked like a princess and I felt like one.
I grinned, then gave my family a bone-crushing hug. I was Mama Bear right now. A very happy one.
"L-Lena, I need to b-breathe," stuttered Mom. I immediately let go and broadly smiled at them.
Their smiles widened. "You two are officially my favorite people in the whole world," I declared.
"Tut, tut. We know we're great, but everyone knows Mr. Prince Charming is on top of your list," teased Tori, winking at me.
I felt my face get hot, but I was determined to defend myself.
"Who are you talking about?" I asked, eyebrows raising. Tori chuckled.
"Oh, I think you know exactly who I'm talking about."
I sent my mom a look, signaling for her to help me out.
"Hush, Tori, don't embarrass her," said Mom, slapping Tori’s shoulder lightly. I thanked her with my eyes.
"But, I have to admit. You two are perfect together," shrugged my mother, making me take back the gratefulness I felt.
My mouth fell open and I glared at her. Tori grinned, feeling successful.
"Liam and Lena sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a Leniam baby, in a baby carriage," sang Tori, dancing a little while she was at it.
A poking war began. My revenge commenced by directly poking my finger on her belly button. Tori shrieked.
As soon as I started, Tori's cries, giggles and screams filled the room.
"Girls!" yelled Mom, breaking us apart.
I stuck my tongue out at Tori.
She blew a raspberry tongue at me.
"Grow up! Now, it's 6 o'clock and Liam should be here any minute, so behave yourselves," reminded my mom.
Oh.
My.
God.
He's coming.
He might be on his way, he might even be in front of the doorstep.
Mom went downstairs, leaving me with Tori. She eyed me with a playful look. Frankly, she looked quite comic, wearing her Tweety pajamas.
"Oh, stop it! I'm just really nervous okay!" I cried out.
She commanded, "Lena, breathe."
I let the air flow deeply through my lungs, and indeed, I felt more relaxed. I opened my eyes, which I'd closed, then faced Tori.
She smiled, as if she knew something I didn’t. “Bear, why do I feel like this?" I whined.
"Now, the answer to this question is really simple. But I'll leave it to you. Figure it out," said Tori, just as the bell rang.
Deep breaths.
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He's here.
"Go, your prince wants you," urged Tori, nodding towards the door. I frantically grasped her arm, refusing to let go. She shook off my grip and pushed me away. I put on a coat, as it was freezing outside.