Realms Beyond Reality [WIP]

Chapter 12: Ali Doesn't Want to Taco About it

Wednesday the 23rd, October

"Do you think I would look good in red or blue?"

     "You'd look good in any color Ali," I reassure her for the fourth time in a row. She crosses her arms and hands me her phone.

     "I need an honest answer! Look at them and decide on one!"

     Rolling my eyes, I grab it and stare at the photos of the two dresses, repeatedly comparing them to each other.

     It's currently advisory in the choir room. Our teacher, Mr. Rochelle, is out today, meaning we have the entire hour doing whatever we heck we want. Right now, I'm helping Ali choose which dress she should wear to the dance tomorrow.

Last night, I finally got to understand the meaning behind Jake's call-me gesture. I got a message of a smiley face emoticon from an unknown number, and I freaked out. Initially, I ignored it since it might've been a wrong number text or some scam. However, the next two messages were definitely aimed at me. Five minutes of texting back and forth passed before I finally realized the identity of the person on the other side of the screen: Jake. I learned he got my number from Rachel during lunch. We spent the rest of the hour teasing each other through the phone before he decided to go to bed.

     "Can you stand a little straighter?"

"Fine."
"Put your hands to your side."

"Kena, is it that hard to pick?"

"I'm being just as complicated as you are. Now, raise the lower part of your arm a little."

"Okay, so which is it?"

"Definitely the red one."

I hand back her phone and she looks at the dress that I'd chosen for her.

"I'm so relieved you picked this one. I have a handbag that matches the color perfectly!"

Taking out my own phone, I ask her, "So you wanted me to pick the red one?"

"Well, I was hoping for the most part that you would."

"Why did you ask me to pick then?"

"It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion," she shrugs, slipping her phone into her tiny backpack.

"Why do you care so much anyway?" I ask her. I unlock my phone, then shut it off as an idea pops into my head.

"Is it cause you want to impress that little crush of yours?" I tease her.

"No! It's not that!" She laughs as she—unlike me—immediately turns a deep red at the mention of the boy. I forcibly grip her wrist to prevent her from walking away.

     "Come on! You want him to see you in a cute little dress! Marc-!"I begin to mock. Before I can continue any further, Ali cups her hand over my mouth. I attempt to rip it off, but she firmly keeps it in its place.

     "Shhh! There are people here! We need a code name!"

     "For your crush? Yea. How about 'Ali's boyfriend'?"