I slide hangers down searching for the "perfect" dress, which I will never find. The other girls discuss how the dresses they've selected match their dates' eyes and other crap like that. I groan, rollig my eyes, and continue my search. I grab random dresses in my size and head to the changing rooms. We walk out showing each other, everyone oos and ahs, but I'm just not feeling great in any of the ones I've tried on.

Punzie selscts a short, poofy, purple number with gold trim on the straps and skirt. Merida buys an aqua colored dress that's short in the front and drags the ground in the back. Elsa's dress is blue with a slit that begins mid thigh and travels down the length of th long skirt. Anna's is gold, green, and black. It ends just above the knees, loosly hanging over her slight frame, complementing her curves.

They all sit chatting as I run my hands over diffrent fabrics hanging from the racks. I'm thinking about giving up and being the only girl wearing jeans to the dance. It's not like I have a date any way. That's when I find it. I notice a simple black dress in my size, pulling it off the hanger to better examin it.

"You should try it on." Merida says looking over my shoulder at the dress.

"I don't know..."

"Astrid, it's a beautiful dress. If you like it, you should at least try it on."

I sigh and go back to the changing rooms.

The dress is tight and ends mid-thigh. The skirt has small ruffles that resemble stripes. A thin black mesh covers my shoulders and chest, leaving it open in the back. I push the changing stall door open preparing to stand before my friends. Loud inhales pass through their lips when they see me.

"Oh my gosh Astrid, you look beautiful." Punzie gasps, her hands covering her mouth.

"i told you, you should try it on." Merida says grining from ear to ear proud of her self.

"Twirl!" Anna giggles. I roll my eyes and do as she says.

"That's the one. You're buying it. No excusses." Elsa adds.

Let's just say I bought the dress.

🔹🔹🔹

I wave goodbye to the girls as I shut my front door behind me.

"Where were you all afternoon?" Uncle Finn asks.

"Oh. Um, I went dress shopping with my friends." He nods refocusing on the TV. "Hey, I'm going to Punzie's Friday before the dance. So if I don't see you before I leave, that's where I am." I add looking to see what he's watching. It's some old black and white movie he's probably seen a thousand times.

"Um, Asty?"

"Yeah?"

"How come you don't have your friends come over here? You always go to them." he questions curiously.

"I don't know. I just feel more comfortable being able to control what they know about me. And that's to always go to them."

"Asty, Sweetheart. You really need to stop pushing so many people away. You've been this way since we lost your folks." Uncle Finn says in a concerned tone.

"It's just easier that way." I tell him running up the stairs to my room.

I lay the dress out, rubbing the silky fabric between my finger tips.