A Problem Like Maria

Chapter 29

That weekend Maria reluctantly went dress shopping with Raife, while she didn't mind dress shopping Maria tended to be more of an in and out person when it came to clothes, simple, she knew what she wanted and that was that, which was rather odd since she was opposite of that in pretty much every other aspect of her life. Rafie on the other hand wanted to try on anything that sparked the most remote interest.

They were browsing along, well Rafie was anyway, when Rafie brought something up "I broke up with number three" she said casually as she scooted dressed down the rack.

"oh, I'm so sorry" Maria brought a hand to her mouth "He doesn't know what he's missing" she replied sassily

"exactly, which is why I have to find the perfect dress to make him drool, not that I want him back, but just to rub it in" she giggled

Maria considered her next words carefully "Why did you break up? I mean you don't have to tell me" 

"he just seemed bored all the time, never wanted to do anything, I even asked him to go to the art museum and he said no which is a total deal breaker" Rafie made a face

"you do realize that you have a pass at the art museum because you would go every week if you could?" Maria raised her eyebrows and laughed

Raife rolled her eyes "Can I help it if I like to be cultured, I thought maybe he would come with me considering I went to so many of his basketball games" 

"you went to like three" Maria picked out a dress and threw it over her friend's arm which was accumulating tons of dresses. 

"still" Rafie gritted her teeth

"you're right, he should at least give you the time of day." Maria held her hands up in surrender, "Don't worry though, I'll be the best date you could ever want"  she assured

Rafie nearly dropped all of her clothes "What! I thought you were gonna go with Georg?" Rafie nearly screamed

"woah woah woah" Maria calmed her down. "He never asked me, it's not a big thing. He's going with his friends and I'll still see him there, it's not like I can't talk to him if I want." Maria explained

"I was so sure he was gonna ask you, that means I lost the bet" Rafie did a facepalm

"I'm sorry, did you say bet?" Maria crossed her arms and sunk into her hip

Rafie looked up, terribly guilty "Max and I had a bet about when he would ask you and my date for when I thought he would passed yesterday, his is three more days" Rafie explained.

As angry as Maria was, she found her friend's shenanigans endearing and didn't hold a grudge.

"Then I should get the money because he's not going to ask me" Maria suggested dryly

"You do realize it's the 20th century, you can ask him!" Rafie thought this was a sure fire way to let her keep the $50 that she didn't actually have. 

"Rafie" Maria grabbed her friend by the shoulders

"yeah?"

"it's the 21st century" Maria laughed "I already told you, I don't want to push anything. We're on decent terms and the ball is in his court. I'm not offended either way." 

Rafie looked up skeptically "Are you sure"

"Super sure, besides your my gal, If I went with him after you broke up with Trevor, then that would be breaking like 50 terms of girl code" Maria smiled "you better start trying those one though if you wanna make a decision by prom."

_______________________________________________________________________

Maria had a dress picked out and sat in a chair waiting for Raife to emerge in her 13th dress of the day.

Ok what about this?" Rafie entered the hall of the dressing room and spun in front of the mirror, it was champagne colored and had a halter neck, it suited Rafie's dark hair rather well.

"I think it looks good" Maria sat up, she was honest and tried her best to sound genuine

"Ugh" Rafie rolled her eyes "You've said that about every dress I've come out in" she slumped

"But it's true, they all look good on you" Maria leaned back defeated

Rafie bit her lip nervously and glanced at herself in the mirror one more time "Which is your favorite? Be honest" She said looking at Maria through the mirror

"That one, it goes nice with your hair, and I think it fits your body nicely" Maria answered

"Ok, I have two more left, but I think I agree with you" Rafie headed back to her changing room"

"Wow funny how that works" Maria dripped sarcasm. She scrolled through her phone until Rafie came out, this time the dress was pale blue, lighter than the one Maria had planned to purchase, it had a that wasn't too deep and had flowers that covered the torso that slightly dispersed onto the A-line skirt.

"Ok Maria, you're drooling, you have to put it on" Rafie set her hands n her hips

"What no, you look so good in it though" Maria protested. SHe looked at her simple blue dress off to the side and scrunched her nose "Besides I like that one. "

Rafie smirked "liar, I still agree with you though I like the last one the best for me, but you have to try this on"

Maria reluctantly agreed via eye roll and the girls went to their respective changing rooms, Raife flung the dress over the half up all and Maria slipped it on. When she walked out she found Rafie standing by the mirror with her arms crossed already itching to say "I told you so"

Maria looked at herself in the mirror, the dress fit her perfectly, and the style matched her personality much more than any dress she'd ever seen. Her light blonde hair complemented the look perfectly. Maria didn't say anything, she just looked contemplatively into the mirror and let herself smile genuinely but before she could say anything Rafie came up behind her and rested her chin on Maria's shoulder "Let me say it for you, you look beautiful" Rafie giggled

Hey y'all. I know this is filler to the max but we're so close to the end so I'm trying to update, especially since I've been spotty the past few weeks. Thank heaven for spring break!

Thanks for Reading!!!