When Monday eventually came around, Candice and the others were actually seeing some noticeable changes in Alex's behavior. They noticed that she seemed to slowly become more willing to wear girlier clothes and that she was getting accustomed to having her bangs pinned away from her eyes. Sunday came and when Candice was getting ready for bed, she got a call from Punk.
"Hey Candice. I'm not calling you at a bad time, am I?"
"No, not at all. I was getting ready for bed, but I can talk for a few more minutes. What's up?"
"I heard about what you and the other girls did for Alex and I thought that was really sweet. Maybe when she wears the dress Ria was telling me she picked out for her, you guys can take pics and show them to me."
"I'll be sure to do that. I think that we're making progress trying to get Alex to open up. Today, we actually got her to wear a skirt the whole day and keep her bangs pinned away from her face. She looked so cute I thought I was gonna die."
"Well, it's really awesome that you guys are helping to open her up. Maybe she'll open up enough to audition for the talent show."
"I hope so too. Maybe if she does, some of us could try to do a group performance of sorts."
"That'd be cool. I could be one of the guys that plays instruments while you, Alex, and whoever else decides to join you guys sing."
"That's actually a pretty cool idea. It's definitely something that we'll have to bounce off the others at school tomorrow. I know Maria and Ashley said they wanted to try to audition, so maybe this'll be encouragement enough for at least some of the others to audition. You're brilliant Punk. You know that, right?"
"Well,….I wouldn't say I'm all that great. I have my moments at the least. It's pretty late now, so I'll let you get some sleep. Good night, beautiful. See you tomorrow."
"Night handsome. Sleep well." Candice said, smiling as she ended the call. 'I wonder if tomorrow's gonna be smooth sailing. Michelle and her crew haven't tried anything for a while, so unless they're waiting until the talent show, they must have something brewing. I'd better keep an eye on things just in case.' Candice thought before drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, Candice was startled out of her sleep by her alarm clock ringing. She stretched her arms and proceeded to head to her closet when she got a text from Alex.
"Hey Candice. You're not getting ready for school by chance, are you?"
"Yeah I am Alex. Why do you ask?"
"Because, after looking at my scheduler, it turns out we actually get the next two days out of school."
"Are you serious? I woke up early for nothing?"
"It would appear so. What are you gonna do now?"
"IDK. Maybe I'll try to catch some more sleep, but that'll be a negative on my end. Once I'm up, I can't go back to sleep."
"Ohh. Well, you can text me in two hours. I'm gonna try to catch some more Z's. Ttyl."
After sending her last text to Alex, Candice flopped down on her bed, feeling irritated that she was up so early on a day that she didn't even have school. So, instead of sitting around her house groaning until Alex and some of the others were up, she decided to throw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt with a picture of Snoopy & Woodstock, and her Converses, along with a jacket and proceeded to leave her house. Once she explained that Alex told her that school was out for the next two days, they told her she could go out.
Getting in her car, Candice decided to go for a ride downtown until she came across a small shop that sold antiques. After browsing around, she decided to buy an old painting of a city scene. When Candice found she still had time to kill, she decided to head to a Starbucks and get an iced white chocolate mocha and two chocolate chunk cookies. As soon as she got what she ordered, she decided to sit at an outside table when she came face-to-face with two people she didn't want anything to do with.
'Just keep walking Candice. You've seen them, but they haven't see-' "Hey Chelle, look over there. It's one of the freaks." Layla said, a mocking edge in her voice, interrupting Candice's thoughts.
"Oh there she is. And she was probably thinking she could just duck out on us. Hey loser? What brings you to a Starbucks on a Monday morning?" Michelle asked.
"The same reason why I imagine everyone else here came for: to get coffee and something to eat." Candice said, holding up her mocha and cookies.
"Isn't a bit early in the morning for sweets? You might get such a sugar rush you won't be able to really focus on anything else, like, say, the talent show." Michelle said.
"OK, look here, number 1: It's never too early for sweets and number 2: Why the hell does it matter to you that I'm in the talent show? You're the dumbass that challenged me and my friends to enter into it." Candice said.
"Because it's to show the rest of the school that people can't just think that they can just waltz around thinking that the world should revolve around them when it should revolve around people more worthy of the attention." Michelle said.
"And by people more worthy, you mean you and the rest of the popular kids?" Candice asked, anger slowly rising.
"Look who's being a smart girl this morning. Maybe there is some hope for you after all, Beckman." Michelle said, smirking.
At this point, Candice was starting to shake with anger she wanted to release on Michelle and Layla right then, but instead she took a deep breath and said "I think that you should direct that last statement towards yourself. If all you have ever do is just come up with ways to put other people down, then you really are as pathetic as I've thought you were since the day I first encountered you in Adamle's class. Now if you'll both excuse, I think I'm gonna head to my car and go home where I won't have to worry about the pompousness in here killing me." Candice then turned and left Starbucks, leaving Michelle and Layla speechless.
As soon as Candice got home, she decided that after the little episode she had at Starbucks she'd take a nap. So, instead of putting the effort into climbing the stairs to her room, she decided to flop on her couch and catch a nap.
Candice was later startled out of her nap by her phone ringing indicating that she had gotten a new text. When she pulled her phone out of her pocket, she saw that the text had come from Maria.
"Heyy Candice. Are you awake right now?"
"Actually I just got back from Starbucks. You wouldn't believe who I ran into while I was there. Michelle and Layla. They pissed me off so badly I couldn't even eat the cookies or drink the mocha I had bought from there. But anywho, enough about me and my shitty morning. How are you Maria?"
"I'm actually just waking up myself when I got this crazy idea to ask you and the other girls something."
"Sure thing. Ask away."
"I was actually wondering if you guys would like to have another girls' day out, like we did Saturday. The others had lots of fun, so I wanted to ask."
"Sure. Another girls' day sounds like fun. Plus we could use it as an excuse to help Alex get ready for her date with Cody this weekend."
"I like the way you think. That's exactly what me & the others had planned on doing. We're all gonna meet at Alex's house again. See you later. =)"
After prying herself off of her couch, Candice decided to eat her cookies and take her mocha with her to Alex's house. On the drive over, Candice decided to sing along with a Maroon 5 song that was playing on the radio. As soon as she pulled up to Alex's house, she noticed that everyone was sitting outside. Curiously, Candice got out of her car and went over to where her friends were sitting.
"Hey guys? What's up?" Candice asked.
"Candice! Perfect timing. We need you to help us with something." Maria said.
"What is it?"
"We need you to help us talk Alex into going shopping again for a date outfit. She's been tearing herself up over it, but she won't budge as far as letting us take her to try on something." Ashley said.
"Why exactly do you guys think getting me to talk to her about it will change her mind?" Candice asked.
"You might not exactly have noticed, but you've actually helped open Alex up a lot. Before you moved here, she's only been partially open to doing stuff like this. I guess none of us ever really had the willpower or strength to try and push her to really open up. You've really been a huge help. To Alex and to the rest of us." Maria said, smiling.
'Can this all be true? Could it really be possible that having me around has helped Alex? I guess I see what Maria means. Alex never really seemed open to things like this. The least I could do is try to work my magic on her.' Candice thought. "OK. I'll go try talking her into it." Candice said, standing and walking towards the house. As soon as she walked inside, she heard AJ and Kaitlyn talking to someone who seemed to be crying. Walking upstairs, she stopped outside Alex's bedroom when she heard the trio talking.
"Guys I don't know if I can go through with this now. Yesterday I was just full of a lot of fake bravery."
"Alex, honey, you really need to stop second-guessing yourself about stuff like this."
"But I'm serious. I've never felt more nervous about anything in my life than I have about this. I mean I really like Cody, and the last thing I'd want to do is embarrass him."
"I honestly think that you shouldn't air on the negative side of things. And didn't we two, Mickie, and the others promise to help you out with this?"
"I know, but still. I could do everything perfectly on these practice dates you guys have with me and when the real date happens, I could end up turning into a stuttering mess."
"That's why we're gonna have the practice dates with you. That way when Saturday comes, you won't have first date jitters."
"OK. I'm more than willing to do the practice dates, but I'm drawing the line at trying to find a new outfit to wear just for this date."
"Aww. Why not?"
"Because, knowing Ria, Mickie, and Melina, they'll try to force me into some all-pink monstrosity. I'd rather wear something that I already own."
"But, Alex. They already know that you've drawn the line at being covered from head-to-toe in pink. The least you could do is let them try to find something you might like. I mean, you did like that dress you tried on Saturday, didn't you? Would it really kill you to wear something like that?"
"No. It'll just make me look like one of the popular kids. And you know how much that'll make me feel like a backstabber."
"Alex, please stop talking like that. Just because you wear one outfit that shows you may have popular kid fashion sense doesn't make you any different than the rest of us."
"I'm aware of that. Michelle and her flunkies made it obvious that they don't want someone like me in their inner circle."
"What they did to you all those years ago shouldn't still be bugging you. I thought you had put it behind you."
"Well, it does still get to me. You two don't have to wake up every morning and look in a mirror and see scars and burns and bruises that will never go away. And, between us, I think Cody's only going on a date with me out of pity."
"Alex, we didn't want it to come to this but-" Candice's knocking on Alex's door made all conversation in the room stop. "Come in."
Candice walked into Alex's room and immediately went over to stand in front of Alex, with her arms folded across her chest.
Before Alex, AJ, or Kaitlyn could say a word, Candice held up a hand, indicating that they should be quiet. "Alex, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but is everything I just heard you say true?"
"What do you mean Candice?" Alex said, staring at the floor.
"You know what I mean. I know that you may have gotten past being nervous about your date, but are you honestly thinking that Cody is only dating you out of pity?"
"Candice, in case you haven't really noticed, I have a face like Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The only person that could like someone that looks like me would have to someone who's a huge idiot." Alex said, tears starting to roll down her face.
"Alex, do you really think that? Or is that just the opinion that other people have of you?" Candice asked.
"Well, not exactly. I mean, Saturday, when I had on that dress, I felt like I was the prettiest girl in the world. But, what does my opinion matter? I'm just one person." Alex said.
"But it's not just you who feels that way. I think you're one of the prettiest people I've ever met." Candice said.
"We think that too Alex. You've always been one of the best-looking people ever to us, no matter what you wore. It's sad and true that most of the world seems to value how you look, but you should know that you'll never have to worry about that with us. As long as you stay true to yourself, we'll always love you no matter what." AJ said, hugging Alex.
"They're both totally right. You can't let what a bunch of bitchy girls and guys tell you get to you. They only say things like that because you're more of a free spirit than they'll ever be. And that's the damn truth. It's what we love about you and it's definitely gotta be what's drawn Cody to you. Just be yourself because who you are is totally awesome." Kaitlyn said, hugging Alex as well.
Hearing her friends giving her reassurance had filled Alex with a lot of confidence. Smiling, Alex leapt up from her bed.
"Thanks guys. Y'all are some of the best friends a girl could ever wish for. Now, let's go tell the others I'm ready to go shopping. Maybe I can find an outfit that'll be true to my style." Alex said, hugging each of her friends. As Alex headed down the stairs, AJ and Kaitlyn stopped Candice before they went down themselves.
"Thanks a lot for doing this. Alex really is an awesome friend to have around. And you are doing what we've been working at years for." AJ said, smiling at Candice.
"Yeah. Alex has always helped all of us out. This is just one of the many things that we can do to help her back." Kaitlyn said, smiling as well.
"I can tell. And truthfully speaking, I want to thank you two for shoving her into me on my first day. If that didn't happen, I'd probably be in the clutches of Michelle McCool and her Legion of Doom." Candice said.
"Ugh. That just sounds scary. Well, as long as we stick together, Michelle can just piss off." Kaitlyn said.
"Absolutely. Now, let's go out to where Alex and the other girls are. They're probably ready to go shopping and are wondering what the hell is keeping us." AJ said.
"Good idea. Let's go." Candice said. 'I never that I could be such a huge help to anyone. The fact that Alex seems to be getting more confident in herself because of me is making me feel all warm and fuzzy. It's really awesome and I hope there are more times like this in the future.' Candice thought as she left out of Alex's house.
"This won't look right on her. It's way too pink." Amy said, holding up yet another dress for Alex to try on.
The girls went back to the mall to try and find the perfect thing for Alex to wear, but so far, their search was coming up empty.
"Alex, do you have anything against dresses that'll be floor-length on you?" Melina asked.
"Melina, we're trying to find the girl a dress to wear on a date. Not to a wedding or a fancy party." Trish said.
"Good point. Never mind Alex." Melina said, putting back a dress she had taken off a rack.
"Guys, I appreciate all of this effort, really I do, I just don't think that we'll find anything in here that'll be right for me." Alex said, looking at some of the dresses herself.
"I wouldn't exactly say that. Guys, I think I may have found the perfect dress." Amy said, smiling.
"Well, don't just leave us hanging Ames. Let's see it." Mickie said.
Amy came forward to the girls revealing a dress that had a black-and-white checkerboard design with black straps. Immediately all of the girls started to gush over how cute they thought it was. Alex, on the other hand, wanted to object, but a death glare from Amy had Alex take the dress and go to a dressing room to try it on. Once Alex came out, she started to clip her bangs away from her face using two barrettes that Trish gave her. As soon as the other girls saw Alex, they all immediately started to gawk at her. The dress fit Alex well enough that the neckline didn't go down too low and the dress stopped a little past her knees. Alex was about to go look at herself in a mirror when Maria stopped her.
"Wait. Before you go check yourself out, I want you to put on these flats I found for you." Maria said, handing Alex a pair of black ballet flats with a flower adorning the toe of each flat.
Taking off her Converses and putting on the flats, Alex then proceeded to the mirror she was headed for. As soon as she saw her reflection, Alex was in shock. At first she couldn't say anything, but when she finally did, all she could manage to say was "Wow. I look so…so…pretty in this."
"Of course you do Alex. You've never stopped being pretty, even after what Michelle did to you. And the fact that you're slowly starting to re-open up to us all is something that we are so thankful for." Maria said, hugging Alex from behind.
"Thanks Ria. And thanks to the rest of you guys too. I just hope Cody will think that I look cute in this." Alex said, smiling and blushing.
"No problemo Alex. And your new outfit will look so much cuter once I give you the perfect accessories to wear with it." Ashley said smiling.
"And once I can help with your hair. I can't wait to wash it and help Jeff give you the perfect dye colors to complement everything." Mickie said smiling.
"AND once we help you with our practice dates and advice, you'll be a wellspring of confidence going on your date." Amy said smiling, along with the others nodding their agreement.
"Thanks again you guys. I'd better go get changed back into my regular clothes so that we can get ready to head back home." Alex said, taking off the flats and handing them to Maria and heading back to the dressing room.
Once Alex was in the dressing room, Candice turned to the others and immediately started talking.
"OK, am I the only one that saw a little glimmer of happiness in Alex's eyes when she showed herself in the dress? She looked so cute I thought I was gonna die." Candice said.
"I saw it too. I hope it'll be able to stay there. Especially with the prospect of Alex either having a boyfriend after Saturday." Melina said smiling.
"You two are so right. Next thing we have to touch base on is the practice dates though. With luck, they'll help Alex not be such a nervous wreck." Trish said.
"Well, as long as she has us to coach her, she won't have a thing to worry about." Amy said.
As soon as Alex came out of the dressing room, she paid for what she picked and left with her friends when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Hey Alex! Wait up!"
Turning around, the girls saw that it was Cody and two other boys coming towards them.
"Hi Cody. What brings you to the mall on a Monday?" Alex asked, blushing slightly.
"Oh. Umm….I was here to try to find something to wear on Saturday when I saw you and your friends. Then I was hit with a sudden realization. I never bothered to give you my cell phone number."
"Oh. OK. Well, here's my phone. Just punch it in and I'll give you my number too."
Once the two exchanged numbers, the girls left after Alex finalized a few things in Cody's phone for her contact information.
As soon as the girls were out of the store, Cody's friends immediately started to tease him.
"Cody, you are such a heartbreaker, you know that right?"
"What could you possibly mean by that Ted? You and Dustin know I've liked Alex since middle school."
"We just mean that by you being near Alex had turned her into a blushing mess. She smiled so much I thought her face was gonna get stuck that way." Ted said.
"I didn't notice. But, Alex is such a cool girl. And I'm just some dork who can't even seem to think straight around her." Cody said, blushing.
"Well, little brother, that's a sign that you are falling hard for Alex and she is falling hard for you. And don't worry. You've always got me and Ted to come to for advice on dating. You'll be just fine on Saturday." Dustin said, patting Cody on the back.
"I hope so Dustin. I hope so." Cody said, smiling as he thought of his upcoming date with the girl of his dreams.
Read and review. Now that Alex has the perfect outfit for her date with Cody, she just has to get over the hurdling blocks known as 'practice dates'. Will things go smoothly or will there be a hiccup or two? Stay tuned for chapter 11.
A huge shout-out to foldintothenight, fuckyeahvodkaandchocolates, RebelInMind13, and fuckyeahimadiva. You guys are all seriously some of the most awesome writers on this site and the best people to talk to. If you're reading my story right now, stop and please go check out their stories. Each story is so freakin awesome & they show that the authors put a lot of time and effort into writing their stories. Again thanks you guys & to those of you reading, check out their stories NOW! You'll love what you read. =)
The links for pics of what Alex tries on can be found on my profile page.