How this Hippie Fell in Love

Chapter 10

Emma's POV

"Come on, Em, I'm sure you look fine." Mom called through the dressing room door. I rolled my eyes and reluctantly opened the door. The lime green dress I wore did nothing to accentuate any positives of my body. It bunched in weird places and was too tight on my boobs.

"Um, no." Was my mom's direct and honest opinion. She handed me a red dress that I already knew would be a "no", but mom always thought I looked good in red so I decided to humor her.

I struggled to pull the offending green dress off my body and sighed in relief when it complied. I looked over my half naked form in the mirror for a moment and wondered how I was going to find anything to compliment me.

I frowned and stepped into the red dress. As soon as I pulled it up my suspicion was confirmed, this is not the dress for me. The dress was a bright red, long with a slit up the side. The right side had a thick strap and the left was strapless, this made my bust pop out way more than I was comfortable with.

I stepped out of the dressing room, mom and I shook our heads at the same time. The dress was way too long and my boobs were way too big.

The final dress was a midnight blue with capped sleeves. It's shorter than I'm used to with it coming to mid thigh. I was prepared to throw this in the "no" pile. I slipped the dress on, took a deep breath, and looked in the mirror.

I couldn't believe the person looking back at me. "She's beautiful!" I thought, completing surprised.

The dark blue complimented the green of my eyes and stood out against my pale skin. The top of the dress covered my breast but left my collar bones exposed. The shirt ghosted just above my knee, showing more skin than I'm accustomed to.

For the first time in my life I feel beautiful.

I stepped out of the dressing room and mom gasped when she saw me. Her eyes twinkled and her face lit up.

"Emma! That's it! That's the one!" She whisper yelled, engulfing me in a hug.

I nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

I changed back into my jeans and Bon Jovi t-shirt and headed to pay for my dress.

As we exited Techno I heard loud giggling and an even louder voice say "Who knew Techno catered to fat asses?!" I didn't have to look, I knew it was Callie and Beth. All the confidence I built in the last few minutes completely destroyed. They just had to ruin this one perfect moment.

My mom wrapped her arm around my shoulders and steered me in the opposite direction.

"Don't let them get to you, baby. Don't allow them to steal your confidence." She encouraged. "I know you don't understand now, but one day you will. Callie and her friends are insecu-" I scoffed and she tapped me on the arm. "Emma, don't interrupt." Mom chastised. "She sees something in you she could never be. You have something she could never hope to have, so she uses your only insecurity against you hoping to make you feel just as low."

By this point we were in the car, my turned to me and stroked my cheek. "You are a beautiful person, Emma. You are physically beautiful, but more importantly you are beautiful on the inside too." I could feel a tear escape my eyes. "You are creative and kind, you drop everything to help those around you with no expectations. This world is a better place because you exist. My life is perfect because you exist." She kissed my cheek and drove off letting me cry my silent tears.

I took a long, hot shower to ease the tension in my body from crying and trying not to cry. I don't know why I always let her get to me. I know words mean nothing and only hold the power you give them, blah blah blah. There's something about words spewed with venom that cut differently, even when you know the character of the speaker.

I shouldn't let her get to me. I shouldn't let her venom take over me. I shouldn't allow her space in my head… but I do. And I know it will get worse. I have what she wants. Aiden.

I'm only as strong as I am weak.

I allowed myself the time to cry, now it's time to be a big girl. I need to decide if Aiden is worth the fight I'm going to face. My gut says yes, but my nerves say no.

I wrap a towel around myself and quietly pad to my room.

I jump and let out a squeak when I'm met with a tall figure laying on my bed.

"You are going to break your neck on my terrace!" I chastised Aiden. "You're lucky my parents are at dinner." I stated as I closed my door.

The realization that I was standing in just a towel hit me like a ton of bricks. The look on Aiden's face told me I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"I'm just gonna…" I started, but was cut off by the black of his irises getting nearer as his long legs made short work closing the gap between us. I backed up slightly, intimidated by the ferocity in his features. He pulled me to meet him, his hands holding my face firm. Butterflies were erupting in my belly, slowly making their way lower. His lips pressed softly against mine, sending a shock through me. Electricity charged from his lips to mine. My arms snaked around his neck and pulled him closer to me. I needed to feel him closer. His body rested perfectly against mine. His firm and mine soft. Perfect opposites.

He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. "f**k. Why didn't I do that sooner." I blushed at his response.

"I don't know. Why didn't you?" I asked in retort. He laughed and kissed my nose. "I'm going to put clothes on now." I said nervously, remembering my current state.

"Oh no, don't change on my account I'm perfectly happy with my current view." He remarked with a smirk. I smacked his arm and grabbed pajamas from my dresser.

I scurried to the bathroom and changed quickly. When I returned to my room my uninvited guest was lounging on my bed with his eyes closed. I couldn't help but stare at him, I'm starting to creep myself out. His arms were resting behind his head causing his red shirt to raise exposing his defined abs. Why can I not help but to ogle the poor man.

"Hey, creep, quit staring." Aiden said smirking, causing me to blush.

I sat on my bed next to him feeling awkward and inadequate next to an Adonis.

"Did you get your dress?" He asked, turning on his side to look at me. I nodded in response. "Can I see it?" Aiden asked wiggling his eyebrows.

"Don't you know it's bad luck to see your homecoming dates dress before the dance?" I asked with a smirk.

He rolled his eyes. "Very funny, miss sassy. For real though?" He batted his eyelashes and tried to look innocent. I shook my head in response.

"I want it to be a surprise." I said staying firm.

"Do I at least get to know the color?" He asked a little pouty.

"It's midnight blue." I responded