Unusual Mate

Expensive

Athena’s POV

After a thirty-minute drive, we finally pulled into a shopping center. This was not my normal area to shop in. Veronica grew up in a richer part of town than I did and so this was her normal.

I didn’t say anything and just followed her into the first store.

There were dresses of all colors, lengths, and sizes everywhere. I began looking at some that caught my eye until I looked at the price tag.

“Vee, are you sure I can’t wear something I already own? I really don’t want to spend all my savings on a dress,” I pleaded with her.

“Last time I checked, I said I was taking you shopping,” she smirked and snatched my purse from me handing it to Darien.

She then started rummaging through the store and came back with six dresses, directing me to the fitting room.

I walked into the small square room and hung the dresses on a hook. Grabbing the first to try on. It was a black fitted dress that was plain with a low front and thick shoulder sleeves. I hated it and did not even put it on.

I tossed the dress aside.

The next dress was a pale pink and had baby crushed sparkles all over. The dress was a halter top and flowy from under the bust down to my knee-length. I put the dress on. I hated knee-length dresses, but I hated pink even more.

I walked out to show Veronica who gave me a look of awe.

Darien gave a slight cough and Veronica looked up at my face. “Well if looks could kill,” she said realizing the glare I was giving her. “Go try another dress.”

I turned and walked back in to try another dress. Before trying another one, I looked through the selection she had chosen. There was literally every shade of pink in the dresses she had picked.

I put my clothes back on and stepped out handing her the things she had chosen.

“You want me to go to this fancy party, I will find a dress that suits me,” I said walking away to search.

“But pink is so pretty on you,” she whined.

“It is more your color, not mine.”

“I did pick a black dress that was plain, you didn’t like that one either?” she asked holding out the trash bag she called a dress.

“It is okay, for a grandma.” We both laughed. She sighed in relief that I didn’t like that hideous thing.

I walked around the whole store, feeling fabric and looking at the colors. Nothing seemed to stand out to me. I began to give up.

I started to feel a small pain in the back of my head, so I sat down and cuffed my head in my hands. When the pain subsided, I looked up, and right in front of me was the dress.

It was perfect. I had never seen a more beautiful dress in my life. I needed it. I looked at the price tag and was appalled. Six hundred and fifty dollars.

I turned, disappointed. How could I let Veronica spend that much on a dress? I bumped right into her.

“Okay, I think it's time to go, we need to get ready for the party,” she said.

I looked down at my phone a saw it was already four in the afternoon.

“What time is the party?” I asked.

“The party is at nine, but we need to do hair and makeup. It will take a while. These curls don’t tame themselves,” she said while fluffing her hair.

I didn’t find a dress; therefore, I would have to find something in my closet to wear.

When we got back to my family home, Alek was playing racecars with my dad. I walked over kissed his head and then headed upstairs to get ready.

I walked into my bathroom to layout my hair accessories and makeup. I hadn’t done anything like this since prom with Veronica. I was excited, to say the least.

She walked in and sat down on the toilet. I began to do her makeup and decide to leave her wild curls out. They were perfect.

She did my makeup and hair next. I hadn’t worn anything more than a little eyeliner and mascara in a very long time. When she was done, I got up and looked in the mirror.

Veronica had given my reddish-brown hair beach waves. It now cascaded to the middle of my back. I had my hair shaved on one side of my head and she added a barrette that accented the shorter part of my hair.

My makeup was elegant. I had an orange-golden eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, which really made my silver-blue eyes stand out. To top off the look, I had burnt red lipstick on my lips.

I looked beautiful.

I turned to see my mother standing in the doorway, smiling. “You look gorgeous, Athena,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Thanks, mom,” I smiled.

“She’s going to be the most beautiful woman there tonight,” Veronica said. “Okay, our dresses are here. Let’s get them on.”

“Dresses?” I was completely lost. I didn’t get a dress. I still needed to find one in my closet.

I walked into my room to find the dress I was looking at hanging on my closet door. I ran up to it and couldn’t believe my eyes.

“It’s here,” I whispered.

“Yeah. I saw how you lit up looking at the dress. I wanted to surprise you,” Veronica said.

I turned to her, “That dress was expensive. You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Whatever,” she said while waving her hand at me. “You’re my best friend. Besides, Darien bought it. Company money and all that.”

I felt tears well up in my eyes as I looked at the dress again. I was overjoyed. “Don’t ruin your makeup,” I heard my mother say.

Quickly, I cleaned my face making sure not to ruin my makeup.

I ran my hand over the orange fabric. I admired every bit of the dress. it was a single-shoulder strapped dress. The fabric would cling to my body beautifully. There was a slip that would reveal my leg all the way up to just below my hip. Perfect to show off my thigh tattoo.

I pulled the dress down and began to finish getting ready for the party. I felt like a million bucks. This was going to be a night to remember.

When I was downstairs, Aleksandr ran up to me. “Wow, you’re a princess,” he said.

I smiled while gathering him into a hug. “Just for tonight,” I winked at him.

He was already in pajamas and would be heading to bed shortly after we left. It was already eight and we would need to leave soon if we wanted to be on time. I placed Alek down and felt a dizzy spell come over me.

My dad caught me and sat me in a chair.

“Are you okay sweetie?” he asked. I nodded my head as the spinning stopped.

Suddenly, the scent of musty outdoors and dirt hit my nose. I wanted to puke. Then it was gone.

“What was that smell?” I asked my dad. He looked confused so I elaborated, “Like dirt and mold.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. His tone sounded rough like he was lying about something.

“Maybe you should stay home after all. I can make you some tea to feel better,” my mother piped in.

“No, I am fine now. Maybe the smell was just part of the dizzy spell. Sometimes that happens.” I had lied, but I didn’t want to miss spending the evening with my best friend.

I reassured my family and gave my son lots of love before heading out the door with Veronica and Darien. It was time to have fun and relax for a change.