Page 60 of Fighting Conviction
She’d always been slim, but never skinny. Granted, it’d been hard to find the time to eat lately because she was always on the go. But, heck, now that she thought of it, she couldn’t even remember the last time she had something more than a protein bar.
Ellie dropped the hem of her sweatshirt and sighed. The weight of the breath leaving her body made her dizzy enough to feel like she was about to tip over. The lounge chair in the corner of the changing area was practically calling her name, so she opted to take a seat while Virginia tried on her eleven hundredth outfit.
“Gah, I love shoppin’. Thanks for comin’ out with me today, by the way. I really needed a dress for formal and the ones I brought from home wouldn’t do. Plus, we got to hang outandyou got a new dress, too.”
“I don’t even need this dress,” Ellie mumbled. It had to be too fancy for whatever date Dev had in mind. There was no way he’d opt for a candlelit dinner.
“Girl, no one everneedsa dress this pricey, but it can’t hurt to have one just in case so you don’t have to come back out here.” Ellie heard the door open but didn’t feel the energy to look. “Hey, what do ya think?”
Ellie peeked an eye open at Virginia’s newest dress. The long, pink, one-shoulder chiffon and lace dress had an asymmetrical hem which was “in” right now, or so she’d been told when Virginia picked it out. It fit Virginia like a glove. Sasha definitely would’ve approved. The thought made her smile and didn’t hurt nearly as bad as she expected it to.
“It looks gorgeous on you, V. I like that one.”
Virginia squealed. “Yeah, I agree. I love this one!”
“Awesome.” Ellie shifted to stand up. “You ready to go?”
Virginia’s mouth fell open. “Go? But I’ve only decided on one dress.”
Ellie stared at her and waved her hand to indicate Virginia’s whole body. “But you found the dress you love…”
Virginia busted out laughing. “That doesn’t mean I’m done. I’ve got like ten other dresses in here. I’ll try these on real quick and we’ll go. Promise.”
Ellie groaned and Virginia laughed as she shut the door. After a moment Ellie began to rest her eyes again until Virginia spoke up.
“So… how ‘bout that redhead, bus-flippin’, giant trainer of yours? Y’all goin’ steady, yet? What the heck does that even mean, anyway?” She giggled and Ellie couldn’t help but smile along with her.
“No. But things have, uh… sorta heated up.” The memory of Ellie watching herself come with Dev’s mouth on her flashed across her mind.
Now, these are flashbacks I don’t mind having.
Virginia squealed and Ellie heard her muffled clapping. Maybe a dress was in her hands? “Oh mygawd. That’s excitin’. Have y’all gone on a date yet or will tonight be y’all’s first one? Where will it be? I need all the details.”
“First one and I’m not sure.”
“Ugh, okay, fine, Miss Silent Violet. Keep your secrets. I see thatI’llneed to be doin’ all the talkin’ in this friendship.” She opened the door and did a twirl in a flowy—but still pink—dress. “How’s this one? Cute, right?”
“Very cute. Just as cute as the last one.”
Virginia gasped and her face crumpled. “El! Don’t say that!” She stomped her foot. “Now it’s gonna be hard to choose. Ugh.” Virginia slammed the dressing room door after her and Ellie giggled at the theatrics.
The changing room grew silent, with only the susurrus of fabric in the background. Ellie searched for something to say to keep from being a “Silent Violet”, but her brain wasn’t functioning properly.
She had two tests coming up, one in Russian and one in psych that she needed to study for. But she hadn’t had the energy after running, training, class, therapy, and work to go to the library. And studying at her dorm was impossible. She couldn’t stand being awake and staring at those walls. She only felt comfortable enough to sleep once she was dead tired. Which coincidentally she was at that moment. Virginia’s suggestion of a nap sounded perfect actually.
“All done.”
“All done?” Ellie asked and glanced at her phone to see what time it was.
Dev: Hey angel, what’re you up to?
Ellie felt her smile grow as she typed back.
Dress shopping
Dev: Nice. What’s the occasion? Birthday date with me? ;)
Ellie felt her lips widen on impulse but stopped as soon as Virginia crooned, “OoOo” in several different notes. “Is that the boy?”
