Sweet 16, part 2
The day of the party had arrived. Isabelle assigned Violet, Cheyenne, and Nicole to get everything ready while she and Melody kept Rachel occupied by taking into town for the day. The girls promised Isabelle that they would everything ready by the time she, Rachel, and Melody got back. The three of them were now walking around downtown with Rachel marveling at all the great stores.
"It sure is a great day to be outside, isn't it?" She said. "I wish Violet and the other girls could've come with us."
"Well…they said they had other things to do," Isabelle said.
"Oh well, it's fine with the just the two of you," Rachel said. "Ooh, here's a great dress shop! Let's go inside!" She took her friends' hands and led them into the shop. Melody and Isabelle stood and watched smiling as their friend marveled at different dresses and picked out at least eight to try on, and then disappeared inside a dressing room.
"Good old Rachel," Melody said.
"She's the same as always," Isabelle said.
"And we love her just the way she is," Melody said
"We sure do," Isabelle said. "I really hope she likes the party."
"I guarantee she will," Melody said with utmost certainty.
"Hey, Isabelle! Melody!" A female voice called out to them.
The two said girls turned to see their friend Tressa waving at them about fifteen feet away. They both smiled as she walked over.
"How are you?" She asked
"We're doing great," Isabelle said.
"How about you?" Melody asked.
"I'm good, and I'm totally excited about tonight," Tressa said. "So are you two excited about the par-"
"Sshh!" Isabelle and Melody both shushed her as they spotted Rachel coming out of the dressing room.
"What do you think of this one? Oh, hi Tressa, I didn't notice you were here," Rachel greeted their friend.
"Hi Rachel; I was just browsing when I saw the Isabelle and Melody. I didn't know you were here either," Tressa said while glancing at Isabelle, communicating silently that she spoke the truth. Isabelle gave her a reassuring nod.
"Well, I better get going; I'll see you guys later-I mean, around!" Tressa said and with that, she turned and walked out of the store.
"Well, she sure was acting strange," Rachel as she watched Tressa walk out of the store. "I wonder if she's feeling okay."
"I'm sure she's fine; that's a great dress," Melody said as she gestured to the strapless blue dress Rachel had on.
"Yeah, it looked good when I saw it but I don't think I like the way it looks on me," Rachel said. "It's a little too…ordinary."
"I don't think any dress could look ordinary on you," Isabelle said. "You make everything look, Ray."
"Yeah, I guess but I have natural beauty," Rachel said. "Anyway, I don't think I like this one at all. I'm gonna go try on another."
With that, she disappeared behind the dressing room curtain. Isabelle and Melody sighed and decided to make themselves comfortable in the two chairs facing the dressing room. It was going to take awhile but at least the others would have plenty of time to get ready.
At almost six o'clock, Isabelle and Melody dragged Rachel out of the store with the latter complaining there were still other dresses she hadn't tried on. The trio made their way back to Alfea but instead of going to their dorm, Isabelle and Melody led Rachel to the auditorium.
"Why are we here?" Rachel asked. "Is there some memo I didn't get-".
"SURPRISE!" Their friends shouted as Isabelle and Melody opened the doors.
Rachel's jaw dropped; the auditorium was decorated in pink streamers hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and pink and white balloons floated around the room.
A banner that said HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN, RACHEL, hung magically in the air just above a table where a four-foot cakes sat ready to be eaten. Rachel eyes watered as she smiled at her friends.
"Oh, you guys, this is so-whoa!" She stepped forward and tripped over a streamer that lay loose at her feet, and fell onto the floor, making everyone laugh. Rachel laughed nervously, stood up, and smiled at Isabelle and her friends.
"This is wonderful, you guys, thanks so much," she said as she hugged them all at once.
"You're welcome, girl," Cheyenne said.
"We knew you'd like it," Melody said.
"And with precise planning and organization, it's bound to be a party you're sure to love!" Nicole beamed.
And Rachel did love it; her friends had made the whole night fun with dancing and eating cake, along with the joy of having all their friends there. It was undoubtedly a night Rachel or any of the girl would never forget, because it was one they spent together.
