Page 28 of Survival

“Anything?” Izzy looked at me.

“Anything.” I’d promise the next year of my life if I had to.

Izzy pulled her phone from her purse, presumably calling the daycare. “I’m holding you to that,” she said as her cell rang against her ear.

I’d somehow missed the threat in those words.

“I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.”

“But you look beautiful.”

“I hate you,” I added one last time for good measure.

“You said anything,” Izzy happily replied with a smug grin as she tied the stings at my back.

“I didn’t know anything meant dress shopping,” I grumbled, refusing to look in the mirror. God, I hated dresses. When did my sister get so devious? This was torture. Pure and simple.

“Anything means anything. I had to get you in a dress for prom some way.” Izzy took a step back to look me over, her brows drawing together as she assessed. “Yes, I think this is the one. It’s very you.”

I scoffed. “No dress is me.” Though a wave of relief did wash over me that Izzy had found one she liked so quickly. When I’d gone with her for her homecoming dress, it had taken a whole Saturday with at least thirty dresses. This was only dress number four.

“Well, Jet will like it,” Izzy said as she helped me out of the silky material.

“Jet likes me for me. AndIdo not like dresses.”

“Just trust me, sis. Jet will love it.” Izzy met my gaze in the mirror, and I was stunned silent for a moment at the glimpse of my twin. The real her. It was strange how those moments emerged, but they were never predictable and always fleeting. “Now, we just need to find you some heels,” Izzy said as she hung the electric blue spaghetti strap dress back on its hanger.

I pulled up my shorts and grabbed my t-shirt. “Oh, no. No heels. I’ll wear the dress, but I’m going in sandals.”

“Annie.” Izzy placed her hands on her hips.

“Izzy.” We stared each other down until she finally sighed.

“Fine. But can they at least sparkle? I even have a pair that will work so you don’t have to shop.”

Looking up at the ceiling, I scowled. The things I did for my sister. “Fine.”

“Thank God, but now,Istill need shoes.”

“Izzy,” I groaned.

“Hey, I’m holding you to that anything, and I spared you my dress shopping by going with Megan and Emma already.”

“Alright. Alright,” I conceded, following my sister to pay for the dress. Seriously, the things I did to keep Izzy sane.

It was at least fifteen pairs and an hour later in the shoe department when Izzy finished fastening the strap behind her heel and held her leg out to examine her foot. Her lips pursed. “Hmmm…I don’t know. I really love them, but I think the other pair will look better with the dress.”

“Just pick one, Izzy.” I rolled my eyes, getting up to go peer at one of the display tables behind us for something to do. “You have to call Jet soon, remember?”

“I’m almost done. I promise. Just let me put the other one on so I can compare, and then I’ll make a decision.”

Uh-huh. That’s what you said about the last two pairs of shoes, too.I started pacing, needing to move or something to do. If this whole thing hadn’t started over my anniversary present for Jet, I could be looking for a gift while Izzy shopped, but it was covered.Maybe I can get an early start on one for his birthday?

“Excuse me, miss. Do you need any help?”

I looked up to see a middle-aged woman with a job-obligated smile holding a few boxes of shoes. I started to tell her no thanks, but then I caught sight of the picture on the side of one of the boxes. My eyes lit with the spark of an idea.

“Do you have these in a size eight?” I pointed at the box.

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