Forever Remember: The Rose Code

Chapter 19: The Perfect Costume

Tyler sauntered into the school store on Friday morning, carrying his history book. I flushed from the memory of his goodbye kiss last night, not just my cheeks, but my whole body burned. Tyler Price had skills. No wonder Mimi had been so possessive.

He walked over to me and smiled. "Good morning."

"Hi," I said with a shy grin.

"I had a good time last night."

"Me too," I replied, hoping he didn't notice my red face.

He flipped open the cover of his book and pulled out an ivory envelope which he handed to me. "My mother is chairman of the annual Charity Ball to raise money for the Milltown Public Library. I'd like you to be my guest. It's on Saturday, the 26th of September."

Only a week away!

"Charity Ball?" I asked, unable to hide the panic in my voice.

"This year's theme is fairy tales. You tell me what costume you want to wear, and I'll find one to match."

So I could finally dance with my Prince Charming at the ball, or was I hallucinating? I opened the envelope and scanned the invitation. It looked real to me. 

I pretended to think about my decision for a while."How about Cinderella and Prince Charming?" 

"Perfect."

Yes. It was perfect. Another dream come true!

If The Rents would give me permission to attend the ball, and where would I find a costume?

I signed SOS to Melaney when Tyler wasn't looking. We had too many customers for me to take her aside and talk to her privately.

On the way to history class, Tyler walked ahead with Todd.

"So what's the emergency?" Melaney asked.

I tried to whisper my answer, "Tyler asked me to a ball!"

"That's awesome!"

"Yes, but it's next Saturday, and I need a Cinderella costume. Where can I find one in just a week?"

"Don't panic. I'll think of something by lunch."

We walked through the classroom door and sat in our seats. I tried not to worry. I knew Melaney would find a solution to my problem. She was always there when I needed her.

* * *

I waited until we sat at the lunch table to ask, "So what should I do?" I didn't ask sooner because I was afraid she would say, "Go shopping," and I'd rather get my wisdom teeth pulled.

"Remember the time we were playing hide-and-seek at your house, and I hid in the back of your mother's closet? You found me and we decided to play dress up with her clothes," Melaney reminisced.

I nodded.

"Remember the light blue dress in the garment bag?"

"I remember we got in trouble. Mother was so mad. She grounded me for two weeks and told us to never touch her clothes again. She wore that dress to her senior prom, and Daddy was her date."

"It's the perfect Cinderella costume," Melaney insisted.

"But it's not long enough." In the prom pictures I'd seen of my mother, the dress only went to her knees.

"My mom has enough left-over satin and tulle, from the angel costumes she made at Christmas, to make the dress floor length," she explained. "You'll just have to ask your mother if you can have it."