Chapter 30: Tea Time Dresses!

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"Alya~! We've been to 5 stores already! I need a break! " I whine, Alix nods in agreement equally as tired as I am, we arrived here at 9 a.m, and it's currently 4 p.m apparently the mall closes later on weekends so business is still booming and over crowded.

Unfortunately, Mylene, Juleka and Rose had pre ordered some matching dresses, leaving Alix, Alya and I to go searching for our own. Before we left I advised my two friends to go with a certain colour, Alix with a light pale pink supposedly a dress above her knees whilst Alya should wear something with warm co,ours to bring out her hair or eyes.

For me? I was going to do a pale pink, but I decided on something blue to bring out my eyes.

"Girl, we just had McDonald's and you didn't even eat your Big Mac! So be quiet and we'll visit this one." She gestures to a vintage looking store, uncrowded and unusually quiet. As we enter the store we were all immediately smacked in the face with a sweet smell making my stomach growl.

Dresses on mannequins, in a certain way. They all wore Elegant vintage dresses, along with mannequins with head pieces, necklaces, rings and some with full outfits.

I look over to see the cashier, an cheery old lady with a big smile on her face as she sees us. "Welcome! Come come!" She bickers us over to her.

"Welcome to Tea Time Dresses!" She says to us in an enthusiastic voice, Alix was the first one to speak.

"No offence ma'am, but it's looks like as if someone had showed you a way to go back in time and keep your youth." My eyes widen in shock, before elbowing her in the gut.

"Ignore her, she's a little drowsy after all the window shopping we've done" I reply sheepishly, before giving her a nasty glare, Alix replies with a cheeky smile. I could hear Alya facepalming.

"Nonsense, but It has been awhile since I've seen such lively girls. As you can see I sell very exquisite items here that attract the richer families around such as the Agreste's or Bourgeois. I don't necessarily like them hear as I watch and listen to them complain but they do pay full price so that's a win" she smiles sadly, before covering it up with a brighter grin.

"Now! What dresses are you all looking for?" She asks,

I clear my throat, "We're looking for prom dresses, our prom is coming up and we'd like to buy or order some dresses by then Ma'am" the old lady's eyes were soon clouded, as if she had suddenly shut down to think.

"I see, I have some elegant dresses at the back of the store, do you all have some idea to go with?"

Alya butts in, "Yes! Our friend here, Marinette, advised my other friend to wear something a pale pink, whilst she told me to wear an evening gown that's a warm colour" she beams as if she's happy to brag about me.

A tinge of heat rushes to my cheeks in embarrassment, "Well, young lady you have a very fine talent, now go on! You have no time to waste, once you're ready please head to the Dressing rooms, and tell me as well. I was good at choosing my friends dresses back in the day!" She ushers.

We all split up into different places in at the back of the large store, I suppose most people don't come here for the expensive taste and prices shown here. A little while after pacing around, examining the dresses one caught my eye,

it was a dull shade of blue, with a sweetheart neckline, and leaf like designed material on the pelvis of the dress, supported by a white silk piece of fabric. The skirt part of the dress had a gradient from the colour of the midriff, to a darker colour towards the bottom of the dress.

Immediately, I go back to the counter asking if I could try it on, I must have been a while when she told me the others were already getting dressed in the dressing room.

After she took the dress off the mannequin, I took off and zoomed into the middle dressing room.

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"Alix come on! You've been in there for 30 minutes and the Mall is about to close soon!" Alya whines, she was standing there most likely rapidly tapping her foot.

Alya's dress made out of golden satin, with A-line V-neck, cap sleeves with Satin appliqués and lace. The owner of the store, her new found name as Alyse, said it was more of an evening gown but she didn't mind. The owner got a peak at Alix's dress since she needed help when we went to go explore for head pieces and clips for our hair,

I groan out of frustration, "Alix, Get your ass out of the dressing room!" I half yell. She grunted before I hear shuffling and the curtain was pulled open. Alix stood there, in a long sleeve, knee length, coral dress, with a bow knot and an open back.

Before I could say anything, Alya was practically screaming like a parrot, "You. Look. Gorgeous!" She screamed. Alix on the other hand, was not happy. Alix is more of a Jeans and t shirt girl, not a fancy party dresses and high heels.

She went to our previous homecomings' in a tuxedo, or a t shirt and jeans with sneakers, so appropriate for an event like homecoming.

Take note of the sarcasm.

I guess it was an exception, because it's the last year of Highschool, gotta make it unforgettable!

As we took off the dresses and gave them to Alyse for her to put them in a protective sleeve, and counts up the total for the dresses and the jewellery she recommended.

We all started getting our cash, or credit cards out to pay until we all froze as she told us the price. "That will be $130.50" I flutter my eyes a few times before speaking.

"Alyse are you sure? We were sure it would be around $500?" I mumble, "And wouldn't that be bad for business?" Alix adds, her head nodding frantically.

A small smile made their way to her lips, "It's a gift, I have never seen such beautiful women be so lively around each other, it reminds me of my youth when I was younger."

"Besides it's on 75% off, but only for you three."

We all nod before paying the price, as we received our bags we head out. The mall grew quiet as it was 5:55 p.m. ,Only a few people here and there were walking around most likely staff heading out, I could hear the faint sound of rain pouring heavily on the roof.

A signal we should all start heading back.

When we reached where Alya parked her car, outside, we all quickly go into the car. As I stoop down into the car I notice a familiar Hawaiian print shirt, before I could react Alix already pulled me into the back seat and close the door. Unfortunately she got the other side of the window seat.

Absentmindedly, I ask her a question to break the silence. "Alix, did you see a man with a red Hawaiian print shirt?"

"No? The only person I could see was someone walking in a different direction from us with a umbrella. I only hum in response as Alya and Alix engage in some talk, but my mind was glued to a few things.

And,

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