It's doom's day.
It's the day of the party. Dylan said he'll pick me up at 5pm today. I couldn't sleep all night yesterday, tossing and turning in bed just hoping today wouldn't come.
But of course it came anyway.
I sat down on my bed and looked up at the beautiful, taupe-coloured dress on the hanger in front of me. It looked so out of place against the grey, tattered wall of the room, with its chunks of paint ready to fall onto the floor.
"Why is my favourite niece sighing on her special day?" I didn't noticed I was sighing subconsciously till Aunt Elda asked as she came to sit beside me. "Isn't a handsome young man coming to pick you up later for a nice party?"
She sounded so happy that I was finally 'enjoying' my college life like how other students my age should be, though going to the party was more of a favour for Dylan since he practically pleaded with me to go with him. Not to mention he already bought me such an expensive dress. How could I not go, right? He had been the one there for me when I was down and outcasted by everyone else, so fulfilling a small request for him is merely enough to thank him. I couldn't bring myself to burst the happy bubble Aunt Elda was in so I just laughed it off.
"I'm just really nervous, Aunt Elda, what if the people at the party don't like me?"
"Oh who wouldn't like you! You're such a pretty, sweet and caring girl, everyone will like you!" Aunt Elda laughed as if my question was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. If only she knew what had happened in school this past week.
"Of course you're saying that because you're my most beloved aunt." I gave her a big hug before standing up from the bed.
Aunt Elda quickly stood up with me and retorted, "I am not! It's the truth!"
I laughed and waved her off as I headed into the toilet to take a shower to prepare for the party.
-------------------------
It's 3pm. 2 hours till Dylan comes to pick me up to go to the party.
"Seline! What's this? You got a package!" Aunt Elda's voice resonated from outside the door.
"A package? For me?" I went out of the room to where she was, puzzled. Aunt Elda was holding a square, champagne-coloured box the size of a shoe box. The box was delicately wrapped with gold ribbon and came with no indication of who it was from.
I opened the box and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful pair of rose gold stilettos I've ever seen. The rose gold gradation on the shoes was so delicate I couldn't help but be entranced by it.
Aunt Elda squealed in awe, "This must be from the young man coming to pick you today! He must really like you, buying for you the dress and now shoes too! How beautiful, it must be expensive."
It's in my size too, how did Dylan know? I slipped it on to try, and it fit perfectly. Not to mention, comfortable too, though they were heels. There was another small black box tugged inside the shoe box. I took it out and opened it.
"Wow." My jaw literally dropped. Inside was what looked like a really exquisite looking diamond necklace. The diamonds shone prettily in the light, each reflecting off its own unique colour. I had never in my life seen so many diamonds before. I mean, hey, even ice cream was a luxury to a girl like me.
How much did he spend? This necklace looked crazy expensive. Looks like Dylan was really serious about me attending this party.
-------------------------
I looked at the girl staring at me in the mirror. The gown hugged me at all the right places, showing off my curves. The high-low cutting of the dress made it look really elegant and chic. The front hemline of the dress fell till just above the knee, while the back flowed to the floor, as if I was a bride tugging my veil behind me. The sequins on my dress matched the diamonds worn around my neck, sparkling subtly as the light hit them. I thought I would have gotten used to looking at myself in the shop when I was at the mall with Dylan the other day, but I guess it was all too overwhelming even for me. The dress was too beautiful. The necklace was too beautiful. The shoes were too beautiful. They were all too beautiful. I looked like a princess out of a fairytale.
It's 4.58pm. Guess Dylan would be coming by soon. I looked at myself in the mirror once more. How would Dylan react when he sees me? The embarrassment in the fitting room came back again. Breathe, Seline. Breathe. It's just Dylan. It's just a party. I'm just going to go there and come home after. No big deal, right? Right.
-------------------------