All Planned Out

Thirteen (Alex)

"I just..." she sighed and let her eyes raise up to mine. "...I just want her to like me."

"Did she yell at you?" I asked again.

"Not even once." Her voice was soft, but crackling. "She said I did a good job. I think we might be..." her shoulders rolled, "...friends...maybe?"

"And you're sad about that?"

Her grip on hand tightened, but not in a good way. "I don't want to be her friend, Alex."

"You have to start somewhere."

"I am making the decision to not vocalize where I would rather be starting." She said, the crackle sputtering into a chuckle. "What kind of a dress do you think she'd want to see me in?"

"You're asking me?!"

Her chuckle bubbled up louder. I glanced around to make sure nobody else was nearby, or at least not paying attention. "Well I'm not asking her. At least you're her cousin."

"And we are so similar."

"That's why I dated you first." She said, swinging her free hand around to smack me on the shoulder. "What about you? Are you trying to give Stuart a show on the dance floor?"

I coughed so hard I had to let go of her hand to clutch at my chest. "I...I...I don't think that's necessary. A suit is a suit is a suit." My throat was burning. "And, uh, if what Montana says is true then I don't really need to wear anything special to get his attention."

"I'm sure it would get his attention if you didn't wear anything." She said as she took my hand back. "And that'd definitely be special for everyone."

"I'll do it if you do it." I said, then waited for her reaction. I did expect a little more than a casual eye roll as I opened the door and we stepped into Blank's.

"I'm wearing a dress, Alex."

"Then you've come to the right place, hmmmmm?" An older gentleman appeared in front of us with a measuring tape wrapped around his neck. "Are we outfitting you for Homecoming, dearie?"

"Uh...yeah." Charlotte's head joined mine in craning around the room. Did more people sneak in here when we weren't paying attention? "I think I just want to look around on my own."

"Me too." I said.

"Yeah, a suit is a suit is a suit."

"If that is what you think, then I'm not sure I would be of much help to you anyway." The man said. "Enjoy your shopping and if you do happen to need me, I will be around to assist you."

"Will do." We both said, and I gave him a salute. He did not seemed pleased. "Uh, let's do you first."

"Right. 'Cause a suit is a suit is—"

"—god. Is this what Montana likes?"

"Annoying you? Probably." She grinned, then took off toward the first racks of dresses with me in tow.

We were half way down the first aisle, with Charlotte rejecting everything, when we spotted Gina Salinas coming in the other direction. She looked unnervingly happy.

"Heeeeeey...thought I'd see you two here."

"You did?" Charlotte gave me a glance.

I shrugged. "Uh, you did?"

"I don't think I've ever been in here without seeing you two." She swayed back and forth, absentmindedly looking at whatever dresses were nearest. "I got to be honest that I was a little shocked that you didn't try to get on the Homecoming Court."