Page 58 of The Heir

“Well, let's get started with some of the choices here,” she said with a nod to the pile of dresses she had over her arm.

“You are better at this than me,” I said with a laugh.

“No, just more experience.”

We made our way into the dressing room. Ash carried a handful of all pink dresses in her hand and had a huge smile upon her face. Each time Ash came out of the dressing room, she looked like a princess. Pink was definitely her color, against her beautiful, tanned skin. Mary helped me get into a green mermaid-like dress. It was a tube top that hugged my hips, flared out at the bottom into a shimmer of sparkly fabric. Ash gazed at me in awe. I wasn't so sure I wanted to go bare-shouldered. I kept my opinions to myself because when I stepped out in said mermaid number, Mary gushed. I walkedback into the dressing room, flipping through the dresses and found a silver-blue dress. The fabric was shiny, and it had sleeves. I zipped the dress on, myself, and stood in front of the mirror. It was a very light blue; the fabric seemed to catch sparkles in the lights as I moved. It had a full skirt, like I wanted, and the bodice was laced up in the back. The sleeves were quarter-length, but they showed most of the tops of my shoulders. As I stood and looked at myself and took myself in with that neckline and the pretty, slim-fitted waist, I felt beautiful. I loved how elegant it made me look. I looked like a vintage princess. I spun and allowed myself a giggle as I did so. Finally, I stepped out of the dressing room to show Mary and Ash. I stood on the platform before both of them, and a few mirrors, and they both gasped.

“This is The One!” Ash nearly shouted. “Emma, you look breathtaking!” She jumped to her feet.

“I love it, Emma. I think Ash is right. This is the one,” Mary said with wide eyes and a grin.

We handed the other dresses to the sales lady for her to put back onto the racks. Ash’s face fell as she handed her pink dresses over to the lady.

“I didn’t find one,” she said softly to her.

But Mary interrupted; “Yes, you did, honey.” Mary said, looking at my friend. Ash’s face looked confused. “Which one was your favorite?” I kind of wanted to pull Mary away and tell her that she wasn’t making her sadness any lighter.

“I loved this one, with the sparkles at the top.” She brushed her hands over a powder-pink dress, and I remembered that it looked stunning on her. But truly, they all had.

“Yes, that’s the one, then.” Mary took that pink dress and my blue dress and made her way to the register.

“What is happening?” Ash asked as we followed Mary.

“You are getting a dress,” I smiled, realizing Mary’s plan and loving her all the more for it.

“What? There is no way. That's way too much money.”

“It’s her money; she can do what she wants with it,” I shrugged.

“You—she—you guys, I do not deserve this,” I saw her purplish-blue eyes seem to gloss over with tears, so I pulled her into a hug.

“You probably already know, because everyone at school knows, but my parents died last year. I don’t know all you have been through, but I know what it is like tonothave parents, and trust me, your parents would want you to be happy.”

“Why do you think that?” she asked

“You are amazing. I am sure they know it.”

“Most people just assume I had drug addict parents or parents who ended up in jail or something. No one ever guesses that they died. Thank you.”

I nodded and smiled and walked to Mary who held out our dresses to us.

Ash didn’t stop thanking us until we dropped her off that night, and I loved how excited she was. After we dropped Ash off, I turned to Mary.

“Thank you so much, Mary.”

“Of course, Emma. It was my pleasure; you are both going to be knock-outs.”

“I mean, about Ash, too. Her parents died, and she—”

“I was glad to do it. I like her. She is a sweet girl, and she makesmygirl happy. I am grateful for her, for being in your life.” She turned on the radio, and I was alone with my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and texted Shad.

“The color is a light blue.”

“Color?” Shad texted back.

“My dress, usually the date matches.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Perfect; I am on it.” He sent a smiley face, and I sent one back. It was real. I was really going to Homecoming with Shad.