Molly wasn't in the room by the time I trudged back up to the dormitory. I got out my wet clothes and went into the shower.
The party tomorrow was starting to stress me out. I could feel a sense of dread just thinking about it. The problem was, I only had one dress, well technically speaking I had two but the other one was more of a Christmas outfit because it had a picture of an elf on it, so really I only had one and it's a mustard yellow sundress with white polka dots on it. It hardly screamed formal.
I wasn't bothered about trying to look pretty in front of Theo, but I wanted to be at least presentable especially if his family was going to be there. Then I started cursing him for putting me in this situation in the first place. I began to scrub my hair vigorously with copious amounts of shampoo and started singing, "I'm gonna wash that man right outa my hair, I'm gonna wash that man right outa my hair..." as if I was really trying to wash Theo out of my hair.
It seemed to have worked because by the time I stepped out of the shower I had already forgotten about it. I sat on the edge of my bed and started drying my hair with the towel.
There was a faint knocking sound at the door.
Maybe that's Molly back? I quickly darted over to the door but as soon as I got to it I realised Molly had her own keys, why would she need to knock? I waited for more knocking sounds but none came, and after another minute had passed, I opened it. There was no one there.
I frowned in confusion, then my gaze lowered. On the floor was a large white box, three times the length of a standard shoebox. I glanced up and down the hall to see who had left it there, but the corridors were empty and all the other dormitory doors were shut.
I hoped this wasn't another surprise from the delightful Kendra, because I knew no one was allowed in the girls' dormitory. I carefully lifted one corner of the lid, half expecting to see something dreadful popping out of it be it a snake? Or a boxing glove that was going to punch me in the face?
But nothing happened, all I could see was thick layers of tissue paper lying inside. I prodded the outer layer of the box and again only the rustling sound of paper moving could be heard.
I brought the box inside and closed the door. It certainly didn't feel heavy. I placed it on the floor and kicked the lid off using my foot, then I quickly backed away in case the box exploded but then again nothing happened, no smoke, no sound, the box remained where it was. I gently walked over and peered in.
There was a little white envelope lying on top of the tissue paper. I opened the envelope and took out the little piece of card inside. On it were the words, "Courtesy of the Golden Fish".
Could this be what I think it is? I continued to frown as I unwrapped the multiple layers of tissue paper and once I saw what it was, I gasped.
It was a dress.
Not just any dress. But the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen. I stroked its pink silky fabric, unable to tear my eyes away. I was completely in awe by its beauty I felt almost unable to breathe.
I carefully lifted it out of the box and watched the hem cascading down like a flowing waterfall. The little sparkles of jewel dotted on it dazzled like the stars of a galaxy. It was exquisite.
"Try it on." A little voice inside my head whispered.
I bite my lip in hesitation. It looked kind of, expensive. I didn't know if it was a good idea to accept such a big gift from someone.
"Why don't you try it and see? It might not even fit?" The voice was starting to sound impatient.
I really shouldn't. I shook my head and began to wonder if it was the same voice as the serpent who tempted Adam and Eve to eat the apples inside the Garden of Eden.
"Theo's family is rich, he could afford it no problem. Besides, I bet it was probably one of his sister's old cast-offs. One that she had grown out of and no longer liked. I bet you'd end up looking like one of those toilet roll holder dolls with it on." The voice said nastily.
I wrinkled my forehead. I bet I wouldn't look like a toilet roll holder doll! I retorted.
And just like Adam and Eve, it didn't take long before I finally gave in to the temptation. I put the dress on and it fitted perfectly as if it was made especially for me. It was a pink, classic cut off shoulder with a low décolletage, exposed arms, and a long bouffant styled skirt.
I twirled around in front of the bathroom mirror feeling like a princess. The fabric was so soft against my skin, I didn't even want to ever take it off.
But the class was about to start soon and I still needed to get breakfast. I reluctantly took the dress off and changed into my school uniform. This time, I daren't to be too rough or heavy-handed with it. I wrapped it carefully inside the box treating it as though it was a delicate little bird that had just hatched out of its shell. I placed it underneath my bed and went to the cafeteria.
Charlie was sitting alone at a table and I grabbed a croissant and a carton of orange juice before heading over to join him.
"Hi Charlie, have you seen Molly?" I asked. It was weird not having Molly around, ransacking the chiller for all things strawberry, she even smelled like strawberries.