Mom didnât have anywhere special to go, and so she let me borrow her car to go shopping. I picked Allie up, and we drove to the Cherry Park Mall. All of the stores there were pretty ritzy, and just a little stuck up for my taste. But everybody in school knew it was still the best place to go for that special dress.
Allie had decided that she wanted something kind of slinky, but long and tasteful. I told her that that was OK for her, she had such a curvy figure that sheâd look really good in something like that. I wanted something a little more daring, and maybe a little less classy.
We spent a several hours wandering through the stores, trying on everything that might remotely do. There were lots of dresses that were not right at all once we tried them on, and we narrowed our choices down slowly. We had lunch at one of the sandwich shops, and even spent a little time in the arcade. It sure was fun spending time with Allie. We talked and laughed, shopped and giggled. As much fun as I had spending time with Bobby and other boys, I didnât think Iâd ever get to feel the same way about them as I did about Allie.
It was mid-afternoon and we were running out of time to make a decision. Allie finally settled on a muted red dress. It was long, low cut, and very classy. She had decided that she liked before, but now she was back to actually try it on. I caught my breath when she came out of the dressing room. She was so lovely. That dress had settled onto her curves almost as if it was painted on, and I told her truthfully that I wished I had a figure like hers.
âThatâs really funny, Nat. I always wanted one like yours!â
âNo way. Iâm too skinny. I hardly have a figure at all. Curvy is much sexier. Youâre much better looking than I am.â
Allie looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then sashayed over to whisper in my ear, âThatâs why weâre so good together. You like my body, and I like yours!â She kissed me on the cheek, and went to tell the salesgirl that sheâd take it.
I had kind of decided on a blue flowery number that brought out the color in my eyes. On our way back to the department store to try it one more time, we passed a place that weâd skipped before. It was called Nathanâs, and it was a shop that catered to teens who liked to dress on the edge - club shirts, short dresses, goth stuff, lots of t-shirts and the like. It was a very âinâ place, but I was pretty sure that anything theyâd have would be too revealing to do as a homecoming dress. But as we walked by, Allie pushed me in through the door, insisting that we could at least look.
We both pushed through the racks, rejecting everything we saw out of hand. But when we got near the back of the store, I knew that Allie mustâve come up with a good one, because she squealed and practically bounced up and down while she beckoned me over.
âNatty! Natty, Iâve found it. Come here! This is so perfect for you!â
I walked over and saw it hanging on a mannequin next to Allie, who was grinning and waving her hand in front of it like she was one of those âPrice is Rightâ models. It was short, maybe halfway up the thigh, and made of tiny bright silver spangles which caught the overhead lights and bounced them everywhere. It was so decadent, but decadent with style. Like something youâd see Sharon Stone wear to the grand opening of her new movie. I fell in love with it immediately, but I couldnât imagine myself looking good in it or wearing it to the homecoming dance. God, wouldnât I stand out wearing it amongst all of the other girls in their evening attire?
âWow,â I said. âThatâs gorgeous!â
âCome on! Youâve got to try it on!â
âNo, I donât think so. I mean, itâs tooâŚâŚ I dunno, trashy? Thereâs no way Iâm gonna wear that to the dance.â
âOh, no,â Allie said as she started undressing the mannequin. âThereâs no way Iâm letting you out of here without at least trying this dress on. Itâs just too perfect for you. With your coloring and blond hair? Youâll be a knockout. Besides, didnât you say that you wanted something a little daring? This is it. Iâm telling you, this thing is just made for you. Youâll be the sexiest girl in school.â
Allie took the dress in one hand and pushed me towards the dressing room with the other. I let her, not exactly reluctant, but not very enthusiastic either. To my surprise, Allie came into the little room with me.
She flushed a little when I gave her a quizzical look, and pushed her hair back behind her ears. âI canât wait to see. Come on, get started. Take those clothes off!â
There was a sparkle of expectation in her eye that I couldnât deny, and I knew that if Allie liked me in this dress, Iâd wear it just for her no matter what I thought. I took off my shirt, shoes and pants and slid the dress over my head. I turned to look at myself in the mirrors, and adjusted it a little here and there.
Allieâs reflection beamed at me from over my shoulder. âSee? I told you. God, you look fantastic!â
I had to admit, it looked better than I had thought it was going to. It was cute and sexy and classy and daring all at once. Something about the glittering silver spangles and lights bouncing off the dress matched up to something in me. I began to see myself at the dance, the center of attention like one of those mirrored balls. I made up my mind right then, that dress and I were made for each other. All I needed were a few accessoriesâŚâŚ