Chapter 42
I swear, one minute I’m stargazing with Rhett on a warm summer night, and in the blink of an eye it’s already fall. The leaves are changing color, the sun seems to set earlier and earlier each night, and the days promise cooler, crisper weather.
Which means date nights snuggled up with my favorite cowboy, shopping, and the best holiday to show off my fashion skills: Halloween.
It’s funny how much joy I find among clothing racks. And even more at the thought of what I could do to each piece to make the items on them more unique. More me.
Music plays on the speakers throughout every store in the mall, like the sound itself will entice its shoppers into buying even more as they scan every shelf. People fill nearly every table at the food court, many surrounded by shopping bags, and most surrounded by friends.
I used to come here alone, find a small table off to the side, and watch as mothers shopped with their daughters. Ending their trip with a treat from the cinnamon pretzel stand or a slice of pizza from one of the other food vendors.
The smells here are just as delicious today as they had been back then, the only difference now is that I, too, get to wear a smile. One that isn’t just from noticing others’ excitement, but rather my own.
Entering into a shop feels different with friends. And thanks to them, this Halloween will be the best yet because, for once, it will be with people I care about instead of alone amongst strangers.
This year, I plan to be something ironic that those same friends will understand and appreciate, instead of just something I found on a shelf at Spirit Halloween.
But the best part about that night is I already know where I’ll end up before it ends.
Not only amongst friends, but in the arms of Rhett too.
Daisy and I enter DEBB. Dresses of every color and style imaginable line the racks. Poofy, shiny, sparkles, and more. It’s like I landed in heaven and all I had to do was enter a mall.
As always, I aim straight for the sale rack.
I don’t see the point in paying full price for something I’m going to make my own anyways.
Plus nothing brings me more satisfaction than grabbing an item from last season that’s been passed up or forgotten and giving it a massive glow up.
Not only will I never match someone, nearly all of my favorite pieces have been dirt cheap.
“After seeing your closet, it’s hard to like anything,” Daisy whispers, looking over her shoulder to make sure none of the workers overhear her insult.
“We just have to find something with potential. Then I’ll work my magic.”
Daisy softly sighs, drawing my attention from the clothes. “You know I’ve been thinking, with starting up our own record company, I’m going to have a lot of performers in the future who need a stylist… Would you be interested in making sure they don’t end up on the worst dressed list?”
The faith she has in me makes me feel good, so much so, that I don’t take much time to consider the offer, but rather mentally jump into all the cute things I could create and how crazy it would be to see those things in magazines.
“Daisy, that would be incredible. Like more than a dream come true. First stop, Halloween costumes, next stop the cover of Cosmo.” Joy rings through my voice as we shuffle through the racks.
“What should we be for the party? I’ve never worn one of those sexy costumes. I’ve literally always shown up in the actually scary or less hot outfits like Cady Heron in Mean Girls,” she chuckles as her cheeks blush.
“Seriously?” I just can’t see it. Not the girl who wakes up and goes to sleep drop dead gorgeous with little to no effort.
From her long wavy, black hair that looks perfect no matter what, to how she can manage looking flawless with little more than some lip gloss and a swipe of mascara.
She’s the type of person I would expect to rock the season’s hottest Halloween costumes, not something ugly.
Is she just unaware that it’s the one night of the year where any outfit goes no questions asked, it just has to be slutty?
For fuck’s sake, I’ve seen girls dress as iPods and look hot. Now I’m dying to see pictures.
Daisy flashes a guilty grin.
“No way,” I reply, returning my stare back to the hangers in front of me, sifting through each item in our size.
“Yes, way,” she giggles. “I’ll have my mom find the pictures."
“STOP. Look at this!” I pull forward a tiny red patent leather, strapless dress.
It’s short, it’s simple, and it’s perfect.
“No one would ever guess that the sweetest girl they ever met had a dangerous side. Please tell me you’ll wear this.
” She leans in to examine the dress on the hanger.
“I can already see rhinestones here.” I point toward the upper part of the cups.
“And here as well.” I point to the lower hem.
“Fishnets, of course, and I recently found a pair of boots that would look amazing with some painted flames to match. Add some horns and you’ll be the hottest devil anyone’s ever seen. ”
She glows with happiness. “I love it, and I think Sawyer will too. What are you going to be?”
I wade through the rack a little further before pulling out a white dress. “Only makes sense that I’m an angel.”