Casey's journey

Chapter- Shopping

It's Friday and I just finished my shift. I grab my stuff and head out. Jesse and Tessa are already waiting for me outside. We go to the mall and enter my favorite clothing store. We always find the most exquisite dresses there at a reasonable price. As soon as we enter the store Jesse and Tessa start picking up outfits for me to try on. All the dresses are pretty and they look good on me. Jesse brings me this red dress and I stare at my reflection in the mirror after I put it on. I come out of the fitting room and Jesse's jaw drops. She eyes me up and down. "Wow! This dress is perfect for you. It fits you so well, revealing your perfect cleavage and it makes your small figure stand out. This one's a winner for sure! People will go crazy once they see you in this!" Satisfied with her response, I smile at her. Jesse was not lying, this dress is indeed stunning! I watch as Jesse and Tessa try on different outfits. Finally, we all decide on which ones to go with and we pay at the till. We are all smiling and chatting happily. We then go to a restaurant of Tessa's choice. We place our orders and after trying on so many clothes, we are all starving. Tessa looks at me and says, "Casey, tomorrow is going to be one of the best nights of your life. Though I am curious, I've never seen you dance before. Wlho knows, maybe you will look like a helpless puppy"  They both laugh at me as I make an annoyed face. "I can assure you,I am better than the both of you. Wait till you see my moves!" We are interrupted by the waiter, placing our food on the table. After having lunch, we go to a beauty salon. Tessa helps Jesse pick up a new hairstyle, while I get my nails done. I choose the red color so it would match my dress. After getting my manicure, I get my hair done.Jesse and Tessa look beautiful with their new hairstyles. By the time we get back to dorms, it's already past seven. I am exhausted, as fun as it seems to go shopping with my two best friends, it's tiring as hell. I take a quick shower and get into my cute pink pyjamas. I hop into bed and I check my phone for any new messages. My phone rings, Jace's name flashes across the screen and my cheeks become red. "Jace, what have I done to deserve such a pleasant surprise" Jace chuckles. "You've done nothing, besides being the adorable princess that you are." Jace has always been sweet. "I just wanted to make sure that you didn't forget about my party tomorrow. You're still coming, right?" Jace sounds nervous. "Don't worry Jace, I'll be there." He gives a sigh of relief. "I am glad to hear that Casey. It would be dull without you." I can't help but smile like a little girl who has a crush. I've always thought that Jace was cute but I was never interested in him in a romantic way, I don't know what changed. Jace and I talk for a few more minutes before I say goodbye. I told him about my day and how tired I am, being the gentleman that he is, he understood I have to get my beauty sleep. It doesn't take long before I fall asleep. I have a nightmare, a memory of what my life used to be. In the dream I am this scared little girl, who doesn't even know her true identity. All the images of the horrible experiences that I've had come crashing,including the one where I almost got r***d by a bunch of older boys in the orphanage. I wake up screaming for help. Tears are falling down my face and I realize that it's not happening. I go to the bathroom and wash my face with cold water. It's four o'clock in the morning. After a few minutes, I get back to bed, hoping to fall asleep again.