Chapter 44

The afternoon sun spilled its golden rays into the high-end boutique as Lucas and I stepped inside, the bell above the door chimed softly.

Rows of stunning dresses adorned the store, each one more breathtaking than the last, with fabrics that shimmered and designs that seemed to be plucked from the pages of a fairytale.

As I glanced at the price tags, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. There was no way I could afford the perfect dress for Winter Formal in this boutique.

Everything here was wildly out of my price range, and I didn't want to be vocal and burden Lucas with my financial concerns.

However, it seemed that he could sense my unease without a word from me.

"I know what you're thinking, Shana," Lucas said, his voice soft and reassuring, his deep blue eyes filled with kindness and understanding.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" I asked, surprised that he could read me so well.

"That look on your face," he pointed to the lines of worry on my forehead. "Don't worry about the cost," Lucas said, trying to calm my nerves with a warm smile. "I want you to feel amazing on this special night. Let me help."

I hesitated, touched by his kindness, but also feeling awkward about accepting his assistance. "Lucas, I appreciate your offer, but I can't just let you pay for everything."

"Sure, you can."

"No," I insisted. "I really can't."

"Shana, are you forgetting how wealthy my father is? Paying for a nice dress is nothing to him."

I sighed, finally giving in to his relentless generosity. "I promise I'll pay you back once I start earning money."

He looked at me with a gentle expression, his eyes filled with understanding and affection. "I don't care about that. It's not about repayment. I just want you to feel happy and confident. You deserve to have the dress of your dreams."

"Ugh. Why do you have to be so nice?" I groaned, half playfully, while he chuckled.

"Because I'm the best?"

"No. Stop." I nudged him playfully and walked further into the store, my heart warmed by his genuine care for me.

As we began to browse through the array of dresses, my eyes widened at the sheer beauty displayed before me.

I found myself drawn to a particular dress that was modest yet breathtakingly elegant. It was relatively affordable compared to the others, and I thought it might be the right choice.

However, just as I was about to settle on it, the saleswoman appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, like a fashion fairy godmother.

"Oh, that dress is so lovely!" she said enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "But this dress here is brand new, and it's very in fashion at the moment!"

I glanced at the other dress she was holding in her hand.

t was a striking shade of crimson red, making it easily more eye-catching than the one I was considering.

The design was exquisite, but there was a very low cut in the front that made me nervous. It was daring and bold, a style I had never dared to try before.

"Uh..." I started, feeling a mix of curiosity and hesitation.

"That dress looks amazing," Lucas said, coming to stand beside the woman. "You should try it on, Shana."

Feeling slightly pressured but intrigued, I agreed to give the more captivating piece a try. As I stood before the mirror, my heart raced with anxiety and anticipation.

The dress hugged my form like a work of art, and I couldn't help but admire how it looked, even though it was a departure from my usual style.

However, I couldn't shake the feeling of self-doubt.

Would I be able to pull off such a striking and attention-grabbing dress? Would I feel comfortable and confident in it?

I never wore clothes that fit me so tightly, and I never wore anything that demanded attention. And this dress was practically screaming, "Look at me! Look at me!"

Just as I was about to retreat into my shell and throw the dress off, the saleswoman pulled the curtain aside, revealing the stunning sight to Lucas.

I felt immediate embarrassment and almost went to close the curtain again before I realized the expression on Lucas's face.

His eyes widened in awe, and he couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.

"Wow, Shana, you look..." he paused to gather himself. “You look incredible,” his genuine astonishment evident in his voice.

A blush crept up my cheeks, and I looked at myself once more, marveling at the vision before me.

This was more than just a dress...

It was a representation of the newfound confidence I had gained through my journey. I could see how toned my body looked thanks to my weeks of training, the way my skin had tanned, and the faint freckles on my cheeks.

I looked like I was glowing and radiating health.

Encouraged by Lucas's reaction, I felt a surge of determination. I had come so far, overcoming challenges, and discovering my inner strength. This dress represented all my changes and was a celebration of that growth.

"Do you really think so?" I asked Lucas, hoping for more reassurance.

"Shana, are you kidding me? This dress looks like it was made for you," he exclaimed, his eyes tracing over my body appreciatively.

"Your boyfriend's right! This dress was made for you!" the saleswoman chimed in with enthusiasm.

"Oh!" Lucas and I both said at the same time, sharing an embarrassed chuckle.

"He's not my boyfriend," I clarified to the saleswoman.

"We're just friends," Lucas added, sounding a bit nervous.

"Well, I apologize!" the saleswoman said, seemingly undeterred. "You two just make such a beautiful couple. I thought—"

"Nope! Just friends!" I tried to interrupt the woman before she said anything else.

God, that was awfully embarrassing…

I looked back at myself in the mirror, trying to focus on the reason I was there. For a dress.

I can't believe how amazing I looked in this dress, I thought to myself, my voice filled with awe and gratitude.

If I felt this good in this dress now, it would be stupid for me to not take it.

The decision was made. I had found the dress that made me feel like I could conquer the world.

"I'll take the dress," I told the saleswoman with newfound confidence.

She beamed with delight, "Lovely! I knew that you'd be able to find the perfect fit."

As I walked out of the dressing room, I could sense the admiration in the gazes of those around me.

Lucas couldn't help but smile shyly, captivated by my radiance. "Shana, this is the one, no doubt about it."

My heart swelled with gratitude, and a newfound sense of assurance filled me. "Thank you, Lucas. I feel amazing in this dress, and it's all thanks to you."

With a wink, Lucas replied, "Well, you were always amazing, Shana. Now the world just gets to see it too."

"So, should we go look for your dress now?" I teased, pretending to look around the store.

"Ha ha." Lucas rolled his eyes. "You think you're so funny, don't you?"

"I know I am."

Together, we made our way to the cashier to complete the purchase. As I handed over the payment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of empowerment.

I wasn't just buying a dress, I was being true to myself and embracing who I was -- or more so, who I was becoming.

As we left the store, my worries about finances vanished. I knew that Winter Formal would be memorable because of everything it meant to me. I would feel beautiful, I would be with my best friend, and I could try to bury away the horrors from the past few weeks with Jessica.

I was confident in myself, and I knew that as long as Lucas was by my side, everything would be okay.