Chapter 31

Allison's POV

Elsa and I are alone in my apartment, three different computer systems open in front of us, all in use at the same time. I'm determined to finish my presentation today, and while Elsa isn't a software developer like me, she does know her way around computer systems. Things are definitely faster with her here, and we're almost done at this point.

Elsa leans back from the keys she was typing on, cracking her neck and her fingers. Then she stretches until her back pops, before leaning forward to rest her head on the table.

"Allison!" she whines. "I'm exhausted."

I sigh, rubbing my eyes.

"Yeah, me too," I say.

We've been working nonstop for hours, and I'm honestly surprised either of us lasted this long.

"Let's do something else," she says.

"Something like what?" I ask.

She turns her head to face me, a big smile blooming on her face.

"Let's talk about your outfit for the Tech Wizard competition, of course," she says. "Have you tried on the clothes Xander Black bought you yet?"

"Uh… no," I say.

"What?!" Elsa exclaims, like I've just confessed to committing a great sacrilege.

"Girl, what are you thinking? We have got to do it right away!"

For someone who is exhausted, she springs to her feet with surprising speed.

"Now, where are those clothes?" she asks, already marching towards my room.

Heaving a sigh, I have no choice but to follow her. I walk into the room to find her already going through the closet, and I laugh because she doesn't even know what the clothes look like.

"Don't just stand there!" she calls back to me. "Get over here and bring them out."

I join her beside the closet and proceed to take out the clothes Xander got me. 

"Whoa!" Elsa exclaims, staring wide-eyed at each of them. "Allison, you meanie. You just kept these locked away in here?"

"Eh…" I shrug awkwardly.

Though I've never tried any of them on, I've taken the clothes out a few times since. Just to run my fingers over them and hug them to my chest and think about that day, think about how my heart had felt so full it's a wonder I hadn't passed out.

Not that I would tell Elsa any of that. She would just tease me to death.

"I love this one!" she squeals, raising up a dress.

It's deep blue in color, has a pretty flair skirt, and is made of silk. It had confused me when Xander bought it, because he said that we were shopping for the Tech Wizard competition, and this definitely does not look like something to be worn to the Tech Wizard competition. Or any competition at all. Except maybe a beauty pageant.

"You have to try it on right away!" Elsa says.

"What?" I blurt out, gaping at her. "Elsa, I can't do that!"

She looks at me like I'm being ridiculous.

"Why not?" she asks.

Yeah, why not? my traitor of a mind whispers.

"Because…" I stammer, "because…"

Wait, because of what? What exactly is it that makes me feel like I would somehow be ruining something by wearing any of the outfits Xander bought that day?

For some reason, I just want to preserve them… which is kind of stupid now that I think of it, because he bought them so I could wear them, after all.

"Alright," I say. "I'll wear the dress. Give it here."

Instead of placing the dress in my outstretched hand, Elsa clutches it to her chest and peers at me like I've just spoken in a strange language.

"Did you actually just say that?" she asks.

"Uh… yes?" I reply.

She sniffs dramatically, wiping away imaginary tears.

"And here I was thinking I might have to challenge you to a duel just to get you to wear it," she says. "You're growing up, Allison. I'm so proud of you."

I sigh, dropping my face into my hands.

"Could you just give me the dress already before I change my mind?" I say.

"Of course I'll give you the dress," she replies with a grin, practically shoving it at me.

Why is she acting like someone is going to pay her if she gets me to put the dress on? I think with another sigh. How even did we go from preparing my presentation to trying on dresses?

When I finally wear it, Elsa gasps, her eyes shining with delight.

"It really suits you! You look absolutely stunning!" she gushes. "In fact, we're going out."

I blink in shock.

"Wait, what?" I blurt out.

"You look too good in that to just take it off immediately. Now come on," she says, like what's going on right now is perfectly normal. "Let's go!"

"Wait, go where?" I ask.

"Anywhere," she replies. "We'll figure it out when we get outside."

And that's how we find ourselves taking a stroll down the street with ice cream cones in our hands, talking and laughing.

I didn't know how much I needed this. Already, all that stress I was feeling earlier due to the Tech Wizard competition is unwinding.

"Thanks," I say. "I needed this."

"Yeah," Elsa replies with a smile, "I know."

Oh, so that's why she worked so hard to get me out of the house. But then, she has always been like this. She notices my anxiety even before I do, and knows exactly how to help me out.

Suddenly, she leans in to whisper to me.

"Hey, Allison," she whispers, "did you notice that there are a lot of people staring at you?"

I look around quickly, and of course she's right. A lot of people, men and women and children, are blatantly staring.

"It's the dress," I say.

"It's not just the dress," she replies. "It's more because you look… different."

Well, I do look different. I'm wearing a figure moulding flair dress instead of my usual baggy clothes, and I didn't have time to pack my hair into a bun, so it's flowing down my back.

"Here, let's get a taxi and go somewhere else," Elsa says.

I don't protest, so she leads us to the side of the road and starts trying to flag down a taxi.

A black Porsche glides to a stop in front of us, and I can tell right away that it's not a taxi. Before we can decide what to do about this, the window slides down, and I'm staring into Xander's hazel eyes.

"I thought it was you," he says.

And the way he's looking at me… I've never seen his gaze so soft or his eyes so dark…

Don't be stupid, Allison, I scold myself. It's just because of the dress. He has never seen you in any of the dresses he bought, that's why.

If only that was enough to stop blood from rushing to my cheeks, or stop my heart from beating faster, or stop my body from feeling hot all over.

"Do you need a ride?" he asks.

"Uh… um…" I stammer. "Er… no—"

"Yes!" Elsa cuts in. "Allison needs a ride to uh… the bakery! I was just seeing her off."

I turn to stare at her with wide eyes, only for her to wink at me before turning back to Xander.

"We'd appreciate your help, Mr. Black," she adds.

"It would be my pleasure," he replies.

And now they're both looking at me expectantly. Left with no other choice, I open the door to the passenger seat and get in.

"Thanks a lot, Mr. Black," Elsa says as he sets the car back into motion, "take your time, Allison!"

She has the guts to wave. I am so going to murder her when I get back.