Chapter 19

Celeste

The rain had started as a gentle drizzle but now beat steadily against the window panes. The world outside was blurred, creating a scene of shimmering lights and hazy figures. The atmosphere felt thick with anticipation.

The dress store loomed ahead, its bright sign a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness. It stood there like an old friend, though the circumstances under which I was returning were anything but friendly.

“Celeste, are you sure you want to wait outside?” Fiona asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Yes. I just... I don’t want to go in there. Not after the last time. What if someone recognizes me?”

Fiona sighed. “Alright, but stay close to the entrance. I’ll be in and out in a jiffy.”

I nodded, pulling my hood further over my face, taking solace in the comforting darkness it provided. Fiona gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before stepping into the store.

With a deep breath, I leaned against the cold brick wall beside the entrance, focusing on the rhythmic patter of raindrops hitting the ground. The world beyond the hood was a blur of muted colors and indistinct voices.

I felt cocooned, hidden away from prying eyes.

I must have lost track of time, as a nagging sense of unease compelled me to check on Fiona. Turning slightly to peer in through the store window, I inadvertently bumped into someone entering the store.

“S-Sorry—” I began.

But my heart leapt into my throat as I registered a familiar, broad frame, and my voice caught in my throat.

It was Matt.

My immediate impulse was to run.

Without uttering a word, I tightened the hood around my face, shielding my mismatched eyes, and bolted away.

Behind me, I could hear his confused voice calling after me.

“Hey, wait!”

The rain drenched me as I sprinted down the street, my shoes splashing through the puddles, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was escaping from that painfully awkward situation.

Matt was the last person I wanted to see in my current vulnerable state.

Once I'd put what felt like a safe distance between us, I ducked into a narrow alley, panting heavily. My heart thudded in my chest, the sound deafening in the quiet of the rain-soaked night.

“Why did you run?” I chided myself. “What if he had something important to tell you?” But deep down, I knew the answer. I was afraid.

Afraid of the judgment, the pity, and above all, the questions.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice Fiona approaching until she spoke.

“Celeste! What happened? Why did you run off like that?” she exclaimed, her face showing a mix of relief and worry.

“I bumped into Matt,” I whispered, the name tasting bittersweet on my tongue.

Fiona’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh… Did he recognize you?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I ran before he could get a good look.”

Fiona let out a breath she’d been holding. “Well, about the dress. I have good news and I have bad news.” She offered a small smile as she held the bag out to me, trying to lighten the mood.

Tentatively, I took the bag out of her hands and peered inside. It wasn’t a cornflower blue satin. Instead, it was a dark, midnight blue with a shimmery overlay.

“What’s this?” I asked, looking up at Fiona.

Fiona sighed. “I’m sorry, Celeste. They didn’t have your original dress anymore. But I thought that this dress was really pretty, and they had it in your size. I figured you could try it on back at my place, and if you don’t like it, we’ll return it. I might have something you can borrow.”

I chuckled weakly. “Thanks, Fiona,” I said, offering a smile despite my disappointment. “I’ll try it.”

“You owe me for the dress, by the way,” she said with a wink.

I nodded and fished out the money from my pocket, handing it to her. “Thanks, Fi. Really.”

“Anytime. Just... don't make a habit of buying and losing dresses.”

I smirked. “I’ll try my best.”

We began to walk, the rain still pouring down. “So, I’ll keep the dress at my place until the ball. That way, Jack won’t find it,” Fiona said, her tone resolute.

I nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a plan. Just make sure to hide it really well.”

Fiona chuckled, “You know, for a moment there, I thought of buying one for myself, too. Just to blend in with the crowd.”

“You? In a dress?” I raised an eyebrow teasingly. “That’d be a sight.”

Normally, Fiona wasn’t too much of a ‘dress’ person. She often opted for pretty, tailored pantsuits and blazers. It was a look that suited her really well, and I couldn’t picture her wearing anything else.

She playfully nudged me, flicking a bit of her dark, chin-length hair with her other hand. “Hey, I can pull off a dress if I want to! But, I figured my usual edgy look would be more fitting for our grand scheme.”

I laughed, and we continued to chat about our plans for the ball, the nervous tension from earlier slowly melting away.

As we approached Fiona's house, I felt a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I was grateful for Fiona's unwavering support and the lengths she was willing to go for me. She truly was the kind of friend everyone needed in their life.

Once inside, we headed straight to Fiona’s room so I could try on the dress. I pulled it out of the bag with trepidation, holding it up to the light. The bodice shimmered with subtle sequins, and the skirt flowed like liquid.

“Wow, Fiona,” I murmured, holding the dress up to see how it shimmered in the light. “You have good taste.”

“See?” Fiona chuckled. “I told you. Try it on.”

Tears stung my eyes as I slipped it on. It fit like a glove, accentuating my best features. I couldn’t believe the transformation. Somehow, I liked it even more than the original dress; although that cornflower blue dress would always hold a special place in my heart.

I couldn’t help but twirl around in the mirror, laughing as the midnight blue dress shimmered and dazzled with my every move. The skirt flowed beautifully, and I felt like a princess.

“It is better this way,” I said once I had changed back into my clothes and the dress was hanging neatly in Fiona’s closet. “Jack would notice the other dress instantly.”

Fiona said nothing, but her expression spoke volumes. She opened her mouth for a moment, as if to say something, but quickly closed it again.

I knew what she was going to say; it was what she always said. That Jack was abusive and I needed to get away. But that was a conversation for another day. For after the ball.

We said our goodbyes, and I slipped out of Fiona’s house just as the rain began to lighten up.

As I made my way home, my thoughts drifted to Matt. I wondered if he had put two and two together or if he had simply dismissed the brief encounter as an odd, chance meeting with a stranger.

Either way, the ball was fast approaching, and with it, the chance to rewrite my story. The dress was secured, the plan was in place, and all I needed now was the courage to see it through.