By Chance

Chapter Seventy Four

Lyra

"We need to go shopping," Sasha told me, tearing my blanket off of me. It had been tightly wrapped around my body until she rudely barged into my room at six thirty on a Saturday. "There are too many occasions where we need dresses coming up. Spring dance, and prom. We need to start looking, Ly."

"I feel like we have enough dresses for thirty proms."

"Prom dresses are different. Come on."

River asked me to go to prom with him after his celebratory dinner the other night. After we got home, he had roses and a box of chocolates waiting for me along with a diamond necklace with his jersey number.

He knew a big or public gesture would be a lot for me, so he did something small and alone. He already knew I was going to prom with him, he didn't have to ask. He didn't have to ask me to go to the spring dance either.

"Come on, Ly. I have spent the entire four years dreading shopping because I thought River's date would be Emily. You may not like it, but we are for sure going."

By seven forty five, Sasha and I were already at the mall, with a pit stop for coffee, of course.

"What colour are you going for?"

"Black."

"Lyra," Sasha gave me a look as she moved the hangers along the metal bar. "You can wear more than dark colours and River's clothes."

"Considering that's all that's in my closet, yes I can."

"Green?"

I looked down at the emerald green dress that was between her fingers. The material looked soft and silky.

"Maybe." I paused before pointing at a royal purple dress. "You have to try that one on. And the blue."

"Only if you try on a pink one."

By the afternoon, I swore I had tried on thirty seven dresses, unsure about all of them besides two. One I was considering for the spring dance and prom.

To my surprise, the soft pink dress flattered my curves and pale complexion. The fabric clung to my body until mid thigh, where it started to flow out. The draped neckline and bareback looked much better than I initially thought.

Sasha decided on a baby blue dress for her spring dress, with white and blue flowers along it with straps and a mermaid style.

"Come on, it's the spring dance. These are pretty."

I looked at my appearance in the mirror. "I think I like it."

"You definitely like it. The pink looks amazing on you, Ly."

Sasha was quick to take the pink dress from me, bolting to checkout, and paying with one of her father's credit cards.

"Thank you." I told her, clutching the purple shopping bag close to my chest.

"My dad wanted to pay for you dress."

Markus has treated me just like he treated Sasha. He gave me my own cards, even after multiple refusals, I eventually took them. Even though I had no reason or intention of using them.

"Of course he did."

"You're his adopted daughter, as he puts it."

"Are you serious right now, Babe? That's fucking rude." River tossed the fry that had just hit him on the cheek, landing on his plate.

"You and Teddy won't shut up."

"Because you have no idea how cool last night's game was." No I wouldn't have considering I gave him head while he was watching the basketball game on tv. I was preoccupied. "Teddy lost five hundred dollars."