The Love Abroad

Chapter 19

I have 3 hours to find a dress.

THREE FUCKING HOURS.

Not to mention, tonight is my parent's last night here in London and I'll be spending it with Tom. 

At a movie premiere. 

EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO FREAK OUT.

"Kris! KRIIIIISSSS!" I run throughout our flat, looking in every room. She's nowhere to be found. I dial her phone after sending three texts to it. I hold for five rings before hanging up.

Where the fuck is she? I think to myself. I have 6 hours until the biggest night of my life - until our debut - yet she has seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth.

Never to be seen again. I even checked the calendar, since next week is finals week before the winter term is over, but still nothing. 

I call my mom, hoping she's heard from Kris. "Hello dear, how are you?" She asks, her voice sounding every bit of tired.

"Good, good." I pause, breathing heavily. "Okay, not really. Mom, I need you to help me go shopping. Like now." It didn't take any more convincing because within a half hour, my mom was downstairs in a car waiting to hit the shops.

"So what's the big occasion?" My mom began digging into her purse, later powdering the tip of her nose. I swear her accent has gotten stronger since I left to study here 7 months ago. "Tom asked me to be his date for his premiere tonight." My eyes find the window, avoiding the much-needed eye contact.

I feel a hand on my arm, gentle and soft. Freshly manicured. " Oh niña, fantastico!" Her Spanish accent growing stronger with every word. "I knew you two were together,” she said matter-of-factly. So motherly, she is.

"So I need to find a dress, which Kris was suppose to help me with but I can't contact her." My mom grabs her phone, showing it to me. A text message from Kris read:

             Lo siento. I have to take my finals early since I'll be heading to RADA next semester. I forgot to tell Marie, so if you see her, please let her know that I'll see her later! 

Well that explains a lot. 

We pull up to a shop called 'Fairy Goth Mother' on Lamb Street. I've always wanted to shop there so today I'm testing my luck. 

Goal #1: Find the dress of amazingness for the premiere.

Goal #2: Make Tom's jaw drop.

Goal #3: Seduce Tom.... and succeed.

Now since this is a Steven Spielberg film, I need something sophisticated yet sexy. No prints. Something solid color with an accent. That shouldn't be too hard to find.

Right when we entered the boutique, amongst all the corsets, petticoats and lingerie, I spotted the cutest red dress with 50's flare. "How about that one, mom?" She takes one look, her eyes lighting up. 

"Try it on. Now." We jolt over to the rack, searching for my size - UK 12. I pull the dress off the rack, heading to the nearest and most vacant dressing room. 

"Ay dios mio, niña. You look gorgeous." I walk out of the room, wearing the red colored, black flower accented, dress. I stand in front of the mirror, trying to comprehend how I look. I never once in my life thought I ever looked beautiful.

Until now.

Jeez, I hope I feel this way (times a million) on my wedding day. It feels good to look good and I can't wait to see the look on Tom's face when he sees me walking that red carpet next to him, arm in arm. I had to get this dress. I NEEDED this dress.