I Choose You

31. The Prom Fashion Show (Edited)

"Emery Hall!" a petite, raven-haired woman came along with a clipboard in hand. She stood, staring at me, waiting for me to follow her backstage, but I was frozen, rooted to the spot I was standing in, internally panicking.

Why had I ever agreed to this?

"You're going to be fine, Emery. I promise you." Autumn whispered, placing her hands on my shoulders and looking into my eyes. "You are my best friend, and I wouldn't have signed you up for this if I didn't think you could do it. I believe in you. Now go get dressed, I'll be here when you get back, don't worry."

I smiled meekly at Autumn, silently thanking her for her words of encouragement. If there was anyone that could comfort me during this time, it was Autumn.

I followed the petite, raven-haired woman as she led me all through the backstage area where beauticians were working diligently on hair and makeup for the countless other girls that had been chosen. This year, there ended up being 46 candidates instead of the usual 40, which meant that the show was going to be lasting well into the night. There was also going to be an afterparty where they were going to announce the winners of the fashion show. One boy, and one girl. And the judges would decide.

"Here you are," the woman spoke pointing me in the direction of the dressing room, which was separated from the rest of the area only by a thin blue curtain. "If you need help zipping your dress, just let me know." she smiled, before I stepped inside and pulled the curtain closed.

When I turned around, I was surprised to see that there was no mirror anywhere in the vicinity. The only thing I was greeted with was the sight of the dress the judges had apparently picked out for me to showcase. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands as I laid eyes on it.

It was an elegant, pale pink color, accentuated with a beautiful beaded rhinestone belt and an illusion neckline. The back was also embellished with rhinestones as well, layered with a mesh material that gave an illusion of my back. As I stared at it, I couldn't believe that the judges had picked out such a beautiful dress for me.

I began to pull the delicate fabric off the hanger and carefully slip into it, wondering what Aiden was doing. I could just imagine the beauticians trying to get him into a tux and I couldn't help but laugh a little. He was such a handful sometimes. I felt a little bad for them, but at the same time my heart couldn't help but flutter at the thought of him. I could only imagine how handsome he looked right now.

"Emery!" I heard Autumn's voice outside my dressing room. "Are you done? We have to start lining up! You've been in there for a while!"

Has it really been that long? Oh no.

I scrambled out of the room, pulling back the curtain, and spinning in circles frantically, searching for my shoes. I had been so wrapped up in my trance about Aiden that I hadn't realize how fast time was ticking away. I spun in circles, searching to see if the woman had laid out my shoes next to the dressing room, but they were nowhere in sight. It wasn't until I looked up though, that I realized all the girls in the area had fallen silent, eyes set on me.

My breath hitched as I realized the amount of people who were gaping at me in that moment. Oh my god, did I really look that terrible?! Was my makeup smeared? Did my hair look like a complete wreck?! I could feel my breath shaking, as I turned my gaze to look at Autumn, whispering, "Why is everyone staring at me?"

But Autumn only smiled at me, in what seemed like a proud mom kind of look, before the sound of a curtain pulling back and heels clacking against the floor caught my attention. Riley peeked out of her dressing room, before gasping as she laid eyes on me. She came out, revealing her stunning emerald green gown that perfectly complimented her skin tone. She looked gorgeous.