Since the time of the magical homecoming dance she had been plotting. Erin had been getting frustrated, the time was getting closer and he still hadn't asked her!!! Her mom insisted on taking her shopping for a dress, but she didn't want any of the dresses in the stores, they all looked cheap and over priced. She never used to care about the cost of things! She would just have mommy or daddy dearest buy it for her. The following day when she knew that Matt would be staying late at school Erin made her way to the Octagon House.
Erin knocked on the door and Gregory answered, "Erin, good afternoon. I'm sorry but Matthew is still at school."
"Actually Mr. Casper, I was hoping that Emmeline was in?"
"Oh! Yes, yes she is, why don't you come in and have a seat. I will go get her." Gregory disappeared into the library, Emmeline was reading a collection of Edgar Allan Poe's stories, currently she was reading the poem 'Annabel Lee'.
Emmeline looked up when she heard Gregory enter the library, "Yes? Who was at the door?"
"Erin. She wanted to talk to you." Gregory replied, maybe this would help Emmeline?
"Me?" Emmeline furrowed her brows unable to ascertain why the young girl would want to speak to her.
Gregory nodded while Emmeline marked the page of her book. She walked to the front door and there indeed was Erin sitting. In jeans and a t- short and sneakers.
"Emmeline! I am so glad you're here." Erin spoke rapid fire.
Emmeline took a step back from the sudden onslaught of language. "Yes, how can I help you?" she replied hesitantly.
"So prom is coming up and I was wondering if you would be able to help me?" Emmeline noticed the girl was tapping her feet excitedly and biting her lip in anticipation with shoulders raised, waiting.
"Prom?"
"Yup!"
"What I mean, is what is prom?"
"Oh its a huge dance for the Juniors and Seniors at a fancy hall and nice music."
"So, like a ball?" Emmeline mused.
Erin tilted her head and considered it for a moment, "Exactly! Like a ball."
"All right, what exactly do you need my help with?" Emmeline wasn't sure and very cautious as to what this girl could possibly want from her.
"So, do you remember the lavender dress you let me wear when I fell in the mud last year? I as wondering if you had something that was like that for the pr- ball? And I was wondering if you could do my hair and make up? I mean you look so perfectly done up all the time. You are absolutely gorgeous!! And Matthew is always dressed to the nines. So yeah, will you?"
Emmeline had to think for a moment the girl spoke so quickly her words bluring together. "So, you would like to borrow a dress and you want me to do your hair?"
The girl nodded virgoursly, "And! if you could keep it a secret from Matt?"
Emmeline looked at the girl, her smile large and her eyes bright. She thought she had managed these feelings, but it turned out that wasn't the case. She felt a bump and gripped her chest for a moment. "Of course, of course." she said with a false smile on her face.
She had to maintain her composure while the girl was still in the house. "Great! You are the best Emmeline."
"Mm." she mumbled and took the girl upstairs to the spare bedroom. The girl was sweet and if anybody deserved their Matthew it would be the giddy girl in front of her even if she was dressed like a man. The fact that she wanted to borrow a dress was a step in the direction...even if it was just for a night. Emmeline went to the armoire and pulled out several of the dresses, dresses that were worthy of a ball and for their Matthew.
She pulled out the rainbow of colors, and there was one, a brilliant red one. Erin ran her fingers along the fabric. This was the one she thought to herself. She could see it now. She bit her lips thinking of how Matthew could also relieve her of her gown too and she blushed. "Emmeline, what do you think of this one?"
Emmeline touched the fabric, something in the back of her mind was trying to come forward, some memory. Unfortunately, she couldn't grasp it. Emmeline turned and noticed the young girl looking at her expectantly "I'm sorry Erin, what did you say?"
"No worries, I asked what you what you thought about this one? I think this is the winner!"
"It is stunning, lets see if it fits?"
Erin nodded and as she was looking the curves of the gown she asked, "do you think I will need a corset with this?"
Emmeline was shocked, but she nodded. She knew there were a couple of courses and underpinnings in another drawer. When they had finished with trying on the red dress. Erin would leave before Matthew came home. As Erin was leaving, she ran over to Emmeline and hugged her, "Thanks, you are the best. Maybe we can do something together one time? Hang out?"
Emmeline smiled politely "That would sound lovely. Tea some other time?"
Erin nodded and then headed out the Octagon House and down the drive.