Simple, Unexpected Crush ~Book 1 of Life Matters~

Chapter 11 ~ Shopping

That Thursday, Angie and Gabe came with Xavier and I to 'party' shop. Xavier was actually a bit stressed out and overly happy whenever he saw something he likes. Gabe was with him most of the time just talking. Angie was being really awkward around Gabe every since he said he loved her. I decided to tell her I needed help finding a dress so she could just relax.

We left the boys at the Game store while Angie and I went to Forever 21 secretly. If I told them that I needed a dress, they most likely would go and pick out the most hideous ones. Trust me. Gabe once came with me dress shopping and it did not go well.

"How about this one!" Angie tossed me a blue dress. I put it on and it was too tight. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was instantly scared. "Open the door Ebbey!" I did. When Angie walked in her mouth dropped. "Hot Damn."

"Ugh. I hate this." I grabbed a yellow dress with a green trim. 

"You look nice!"

"Don’t. It's a garden theme party." I took out the invitation from my bag and handed it to her. “not a Las Vegas Strip theme.”

"Hm. Don't bother trying the yellow one then. You need something...creme." I changed back to my jeans and my old Scooby-Doo shirt. I walked out and continued looking but I didn't find anything I liked. We went to nearly every store but all of the dress were either too fancy, too short, too puffy or too tight. Alas we entered a new store that just opened.

I began to search through the racks as Angie was admiring this pink dress that she said ' I would wear to prom' and looked at some heels. Finally when I gave up, I spotted a peach dress. I pulled it out from the rack and placed it towards my body.It had one inch straps, it seemed really soft and wavy. I went to the dressing room and tried it on. I liked how it made me seem...more girlie. I took off my socks and shoes and grabbed my ponytail putting my hair in a bun leaving two steaks out. 

"Hey Angie." I walked out. Angie turned around and her eyes widened.

"Oh Eb. You look so pretty!"

"Do you think it's fine?"

"It'll go well with your gray cardigan." She pointed out. "I do believe this is the first time you wear a dress."

"In like six years? I believe so." I went back and changed back. Along with Angie,  I went to the register.

"Ah. You like? Um. For a lovely gal, ten." The cashier said. 

"Ten?!" I yelled by accident.

"Yes. Eighty percent off." I took out my wallet and gave ten dollars. I think today's shopping was worth it.

"I'm so doing your hair." Angie said as she skipped along. 

We walked out and met up at the food court. Gabe and Xavier were laughing when we arrived. Gabe pointed at my bag.

"What's that?" He asked.

"A surprise." I said as Angie and I went to stand in line for Jimmy’s. 

"A surprise? Is it a bra or something?"

"Oh Gabe. No it's not. And it's a dress." I quickly turned around so no one can see I was blushing. 

"A dress!" Gabe said out loud putting his hands in the heavens.

"Gabriel, you know how sensitive she is." Angie leaned to his ear.

"Ebony Michaels bought a dress!" Xavier and Gabe said. I was already red. I placed my order and sat down on a table holding tightly to my bag. 

"Did you get what you needed for the 'Party'?" I asked trying to change the subject.