Page 38 of My Fake Date With My Childhood Friend
“You really think it's that bad?” I asked. I spun around so he could see the whole thing. “I think it looks good.”
Alexander leaned forward, resting his forearms on the tops of his legs.
“It's good,” he said, pressing the tips of his fingers together. “But it's not perfect.”
I rolled my eyes. “I'm not looking for a wedding dress here. It's just a stupid formal.”
Even though we couldn't have been here for that long, it felt like it had been hours. I was tired of this.
“The formal is as important as your wedding day,” he said in a dramatic voice, “and I expect you to treat it as such!”
Despite my annoyance at this whole situation, I burst into laughter, and he quickly followed suit, unable to hold the serious expression on his face.
“Seriously, though,” he said, “If you're going to be spending this much money on a dress, it should be one that you like.”
“Yeah,” I sighed. He was right, and I knew it. I would have just said that we should stop and come back another day, but I had left this for so long that I desperately needed to get the dress today. “Whatever, let’s get this over with.”
I came out next, wearing a puffy pink dress. And while Alexander's opinion wasn't the be-all, end-all for me deciding my dress, I decided right then and there that I would never wear something that my boyfriend couldn't hold back his laughter at seeing.
“Thanks, Alexander,” I said sarcastically. I didn't even make it all the way out of the room to show him. I just turned on my heel and went back inside.
“I'm sorry!” He called after me. “It was just a little too puffy!”
I was starting to regret letting him tag along. I felt like I was on an episode of Say Yes to the Dress.
The process continued on for nearly two hours. I tried on so many dresses I should be on the cover of Teen Vogue or something. My legs were tired, and I was physically and mentally exhausted.
As I pulled on a dark purple, one-strap mini dress that I was pretty sure was dangerously close to breaking dress code rules. I decided that this was going to be the last dress I tried on today. I would just have to pick from one of the many, many other dresses I'd already worn because I was totally over this.
All my annoyance and exhaustion were completely forgotten, though, when I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress fit like a glove, hugging my body and showing off my curves in all the best ways. The colour complimented my skin tone and dark brownhair perfectly too. I couldn't believe how good it looked, and I knew that this was the dress I would be wearing for my formal.
And when I walked out and saw the look on Alexander's face, I knew he thought the dress was perfect too.
“Are you thinking what I am thinking?” I said this while staring at the mirror and smiling. “Yes, this is the perfect dress.”
He stood up and grabbed my hand, twirling me around. “You look gorgeous.”
I giggled in happiness. “Thank you.”
For the first time in a while, I was actually starting to look forward to this formal.
After changing back into my clothes and getting the dress, we walked back out onto the street.
I groaned. “I forgot we still have to walk home,” I said. “My legs hurt from standing so much.”
“Okay, easy fix,” Alexander said. He took the shopping bag from my hand and then crouched down. “Climb on. I'll give you a piggyback ride.”
“Oh, no, you don't have to do that!” I'd feel bad asking him to; it was still a long walk back to our houses.
“Yes, I do,” he said, nodding his head. “I went a little overboard, making you change so many times. The least I can do is give you a ride home.”
“Alexander—”
“I'm not leaving here until you agree, Penny,” he said. He looked at me seriously. “Come on.”
I sighed. He was too stubborn — there was no way I was going to win this argument. Even if I somehow managed, it would take another two hours of us being here, and that wasn't worth it to me. I hoisted myself on his back and wrapped my legs around him. He stood up and adjusted himself with me on his back.
“Let’s go, clumsy, Penny!” He laughed.
