Dress Fititng for Cotillion
[voting is closed now, sorry!]
"I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE ONE." I groaned, holding my breath while Evie zipped up my dress. I stood before three full length mirrors whilst balancing on a wooden stool.
"Agreed. It's too tight." Evie nodded and helped me out of my 16th dress. "Don't give up, we'll find something. I promise."
"We're out of time, though. I'm surprised there's this many dresses left over." I frowned, letting my gaze run down a rack of formal dresses. "I'm starting to think that I should just arrive in some jeans and a hoodie and call it a day." I winked, reaching for my clothes.
Evie jumped in front of me and smiled from ear to ear, her friendly brown eyes reassuring me that everything would work out in the end. "Nope."
"Alright.. then I need something unlike any other dress you've seen before. Something nobody else will have on. Today..." I sighed, and began slipping on another one of Evie's creations, "whatever I choose will be my farewell dress. This dance is my last appearance before returning to the Isle." Once I stepped into the dress, I held it against my chest and turned around for Evie to pull the zipper.
"And you're sure about this?" Evie kindly asked. There was no hesitation or judgement in her tone, only compassion and genuine concern. "Who else knows?" Evie zipped up the dress, stepping back to allow me an opportunity to think. I pivoted my hips from side to side, watching as the fabric moved with me.
"I told Ally, but I've realized that I can't trust her anymore." I sighed, running my hands down my torso. "I love this fabric." I couldn't help but smile.
"Even if Ally is out of the picture, you'll always have me. I'm all ears, and ready to listen. I happen to be a very good listener." Evie wrapped her arms around my shoulders form behind, and I closed my eyes and embraced her comforting. "Are you going back to the Isle because of Harry?" She asked gently, letting go to pull my hair to one side. She adjusted the jewels on the chest and neckpiece of the dress. I nodded in response, allowing my full attention to fall upon on the shimmering work of art. Tracing my fingers along the crystals, I couldn't help but feel giddy inside.
Being pampered like a true princess was nice, and something that I wasn't used to. It was a nice change, but I knew this couldn't be my forever lifestyle.
"I miss him. At first I was scared of him. Then I spent some more time with him, and I realized he wasn't so bad. But then.. I actually began to like his bad side more than his good side." I shrugged, smiling over my shoulder at Evie. "He's very handsome when he's bad." I giggled, as did Evie.
Once again I looked at the dress from every angle.
The entire dress glistened like a newly polished chandelier. The skirt was lightweight, and very breathable. It was youthful, and fairylike, however the torso was an added layer of beauty and maturity.
I decided that I would return to the Isle after Cotillion, and for the sole purpose of reuniting with Harry. I wanted the last time Auradon saw me to be magnificent. Having inherited my mother's voice, I planned to perform a song I wrote in front of the entire kingdom. Also anything — literally anything — could go wrong, I was willing to risk it. I planned to go out with a bang... if it's the last thing I ever do.
"If Harry could see you, his pirate hat would be blown away. You look beautiful, Erina." Evie took my hands in hers. "I have two more dresses to show you, then I'll let you go."
I nodded confidently. "Let's do this."
The second dress was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It consisted of a petite lace top with an ombré skirt beautiful enough to make any girl jealous. The light shades were faded beautifully. It was almost too perfect to be worn by someone as clumsy as I am.
The third dress was the evilest looking of the three. The long, black gown and heavily jeweled torso was breathtaking. Evie had told me that nobody would be wearing a solid black dress — it was against the princess moral code — and that it would make the boldest statement.
What would a villain wear?
"Which is your favorite?" Evie asked while putting the dresses pack on their hangers. I had finished tying my shoe laces when a pair of black heels caught my attention.
" I don't know." I frowned, now sitting on a small bench next to the rack of dresses. Evie strolled over to me, and sat down on the same bench. Her freshly manicured hands rested on her knees.
"I know right now, all you can think about is going back to the Isle. There are so many kids on the Isle that would do anything to live in Auradon. And you.." Evie's eyes fell to her lap, which cradled her hands, "you'd rather live on an old ship than a fairytale castle. You have so many opportunities here, ones I left the Isle for."
"You do have a point, Evie." I grinned, leaning my shoulder against hers. "I appreciate you talking to me rather than making me feel worse." Evie reached for my hand, and intertwined my fingers with hers.
"I know you've heard this a million times... But Harry is very unpredictable. I watched him push you off the plank. He could have killed you."
"He was following Uma's orders." I firmly asserted. "Did you see him dive in and save me?" Standing up from the bench, I waited to see what Evie would do next.
As I did, Evie stood up with furrowed brows. "How how can you love someone who takes orders from someone else? He would rather be loyal to his crew than to you. Erina you deserve better."
"I deserve to be happy."
"He's going to break your heart.. and then you won't be happy. Mal and Harry dated, and Mal always complained about him. He's bad news."
"Evie." I whispered, avoiding the shed of new tears. "He's a good guy. And if I'm the only one who gets to see that, that's fine by me." I sighed, retrieving my bag from Evie's coffee table.
"Prove me wrong, then. Prove everyone wrong about him, and maybe, just maybe, Prince Ben will invite him to live here in Auradon. If you think he would want that." Evie suggested, and proceeded to tidy up her workspace.
"You don't get it." I breathed. "I wouldn't want to live in Auradon, whether I'm with Harry or not. I want to be with him on the Isle where I can be as chaotic as I want. Join me Evie. Come back with me to the Isle-"
"I can't." Her mind was made up, and her heart was set on fulfilling her princess fantasy. Evie distracted herself by organizing rings, bracelets, and shoes by color and size. "This is my home."
"Evie I'm sorry. I assumed that it Mal was willing to go back, that maybe you would too." I couldn't help but feel terrible for assuming such a thing.
"It's okay. Please don't apologize. If anything I should be sorry... because I can't stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life. While you're there, please tell Mal that we miss her." Evie took both of my hands in hers, and gave them a light squeeze. "Let me know which dress you'd like!" She added before disappearing into her storage room.
"Will do. Thank you again."
On my way towards the door, I felt a sudden wave of warmth from fireplace against my skin. Turning towards the flames, I watched as they increased in size. I knelt down to inspect any potential damage.
"Hey Evie I think your fireplace is malfunctioning." I alerted, before watching the flames turn blue. "Oh no." I mumbled, stumbling back onto my feet. "Not this again." I closed my eyes, and opened them in hopes that the flames had returned to their usual color.
The entire room was illuminated with a blueish hue from the ever growing source. I feared her workshop would burn down if I didn't leave, however I was captivated by the light. I swore I heard a voice whispering to me, however I couldn't comprehend any words.
The moment Evie stepped into the room the flames died down. It was as if it never happened, however I knew this time I wasn't imagining things.
I took this as a chance to leave before anything else happened. I promptly made my way to the garden just outside the school's main building. There were no sources of fire here, so I was safe for the time being.
I found myself sitting by my old fountain for what may be the last time. I allowed myself to breathe and listen to the sounds of flowing water. It was peaceful.
Auradon was heaven on Earth, as some would say. But that wasn't enough to keep me here — not when the guy I've fallen in love with is living elsewhere.
I would spend tomorrow night, also my last night, attending Cotillion. I had until then to practice with Auradon's dance team to ensure my performance goes smoothly. By the time I finish singing, everyone will know that I'm leaving for good.
However will Mal still missing, I feared that Cotillion would be canceled, and my plans would be ruined. Even if that were to happen, the show must go on.
But there's one thing I still need to decide on... which dress will I wear in front of everyone?
[ VOTING IS CLOSED, BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO STILL PICK A FAVORITE! <3 ]
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Here you can comment on your favorite dress! The dress with the most comments will be worn by Erina during Cotillion. Have fun!
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