Chapter Twelve
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(Allie POV again. Enjoy it!)
I was absolutely ecstatic about the money. How nice was that!? Especially for my mom. I mean, that is everybody's dresses. My night was definitely an improvement on my day. Greg and me had managed to have a little chat...well, I sort of rambled at him and he listened. He calmed me right down afterwards, though, kissing me very passionately, indeed. Then we watched a film, then I fell asleep. I woke up the next morning feeling uber-positive about everything. I had a shower, got dressed and make some breakfast. Greg was off that day, so he was spending it with Papa Olaf. I was off too, so I told Michelle that we'd be going out to have a look at dresses and stuff, so she was exceedingly excited. Honestly, I have never once seen that girl mad or upset. Amazing. I got into my rental car - I know, I've been reduced to a rental car, tsk - and turned the radio on. I was pleasantly greeted with The Killers, then Panic! At the Disco. Great, huh? I drove to the Mead residence and rang the doorbell. Jimmy and my Dad were off somewhere learning to scuba dive. Imagine: my father scuba diving. Not a pretty image, is it?! A few seconds later, Michelle bounded to the door. If I ever had any children, they would be just like her. Always perky and upbeat, and hopefully kind of short, too.
"Hi, Allie." She smiled. I grinned.
"Hello, Michelle...you ready?"
"Yep...let me get my jacket!" With that, she bounced back into the hall and got her coat and bag. She was like a giant ball of energy, flouncing about the place. "Okay, I suggest we try Valerie Kigton first. It's really nice, and very good prices, too."
I nodded, watching as Michelle jammed the door shut and locked it, all whilst talking very speedily. "Alright. Anywhere but Watkins and Taylor."
Michelle widened her eyes, comically. "Jeez, we don't have that big a budget."
I smiled, biting my lip. "Actually, we sort of do...my Mom gave me two-thousand bucks. Imagine!"
"Oh, my gosh. Great...who's in charge of the bridesmaids dresses?"
"That would be..." I frowned. Who would it be? I supposed they would all have to decide. "You, probably, but Catherine and Sara will need a heads-up, first."
"Sweet." So, we got into the car, turned the radio back on - My Chemical Romance, 'Famous Last Words'...good song - and started chatting. She was busy telling me about her new boyfriend. His name's John, he's tall, darkly brooding and handsome. College jock, apparently. Very sweet. Although, she doesn't know his last name.
"How can you not know his last name, Shell?" I giggled.
"I don't know!" She groaned. Infatuation tends to do that to a person. "Anyway, there's Valerie Kigton's." She pointed to a massive boutique, declaring it's 'thousands of half-price dresses at a magnificent quality!'. I got out - so did Michelle - and locked the doors. The front door was very ominous, and I had a sort of twist on the inside. Like a flutter, but not pleasant. Michelle went in first, like a pro. It felt like she'd been doing this for years, to me anyway. She immediately started scanning the rails for dresses. There was a lot of them, too. Some huge, some plain, and all at affordable prices. The red one in the middle of the room seemed to be popular. I knew I would look ghastly in it. Yeah, ghastly. I would be totally drained looking. Michelle nudged me, pointing to a huge, ball-gown-esque dress for five-hundred. It was lovely, but maybe a bit over-the-top.
"How about this one?" I showed her a plain, A-line dress. She wrinkled her nose.
"We'll need a bit more detail." She waved her hand at me. She was right, maybe some sequins or something. I saw a tall, stern/scary looking woman heading towards me. Her suit was tight and her hair was long and loose.
"Now, how can I help you both?"
I was about to speak when Michelle rushed to my side, clinging onto my arm. "This is Allie, she's getting married on the 22nd of December."
"Oh, a winter wedding." The woman, Debra, smiled at me. "Very nice. And what were you thinking for the dress?" Debra and Michelle both looked at me. For once, I had no clue what to say.
"Uh, maybe...a shiny one?" Oh, great. Now I felt like an idiot. Who asks for a shiny dress? I tutted, laughed nervously and shook my head. "Actually, I meant, uh, something with sequins...preferably not white..."
Debra snapped her fingers and pulled me and Debra over to the back section of the factory. She pulled out a flouncy dress with a giant brooch on it. I really had to restrain myself from not gasping at the sight of it. How did someone even think about a dress like this? "This is our best seller at the minute..." Debra smiled. I nodded. That is a lot of women going around looking like a cake. I shook my head.
"Uh, I don't really think it's me..." Great, now I sound like a Bridezilla. "Oh, have you got anything in, say, pink?"
Debra gasped. "Oh, no, no, no, no. You'll have to go to Cranes and Alexander. We don't do pink." She glared at me and Michelle, frostily.
"Uh, okay." I managed to squeak out. Me and Michelle quickly backed out of the door and over the road to the next retailers. No luck there. So, we walked for another little while and we found a bridesmaid dress specialist. Michelle quickly went over to the baby-blue colours. I had a weird thought about how me and Greg really hadn't discussed anything other than the date of the wedding. I took a seat in the bridesmaid place and had a quick glance through the wedding dress guide. I knew then what I really, really loved! It was an A-line silhouette, pink and amazingly pretty. I knew I'd better not get my hopes up, but wow! Michelle called me over to show me a really pretty, plain, full-length dress with a tiny bow on a ribbon under the bust. It was a sort of purple colour with a lilac trim. No sleeves, which I liked. "Michelle, I think it's lovely. Really, really nice. Uh, could you hold that thought, though? I'll have to phone Catherine." Michelle nodded and I quickly got my cell phone out. Catherine, thankfully, was off so she told me to take a picture and send it to her and Sara. Catherine replied and said she loved it and Sara had asked why we weren't going for red. I bit my lip. "Michelle, is there anything red?"
"Oh, we can get these dresses in red..." The little clerk-guy told me, hurriedly. I nodded.
"Thanks." So, I got my phone out and texted Sara back. I then had a text from Catherine who asked me if there was something in blue. I suddenly had a brain-wave. "Sir?" I walked up to the clerk and smiled. "Do these dresses come in any other colours?"
The clerk, Robert, grinned and nodded. "We sure do...uh, red, purple, white, black, blue and green. All of these dresses have a lighter or a darker trim. Also, if you want, we could do a beaded arrangement on the bodice."
I grinned. I was really, really happy about all of this. I didn't even mind the fact that I didn't have a dress. "Great, could I take one in red, one in blue and...Shell?"
Michelle rushed over to me, eyebrows raised inquisitively. "Yes, Allie?"
"What colour do you want?" I motioned to the dress. I saw her eyes light up completely.
"Oh, my gosh! Do you have it in red?"
The clerk nodded and I grinned. I wondered if Catherine would maybe go for red...so I texted her and she sent me back a smiley face, nodding. "Right, we'll take three. Size ten, size eight and size twelve, please." I pulled out the cheque-book. In total, it came to just under a thousand, which surprised me because everyone got free shoes out of the deal. I was completely and utterly shocked by how great the prices were. Amazing. We looked about for another little while before heading into the DVD shop. I couldn't help myself! 'Die Hard 4' was half price, so I got it for Greg. Michelle bought herself some new film with Jonathan Rhys Myers.
"Thank you so much, Al. I had a fantastic day." She yawned, opening the car door. I smirked.
"So did I...hey, why don't you come over later for dinner? Maybe, eight?" I had been planning carbonara or something. Maybe spaghetti bolognese. Pasta, really. Michelle nodded.
"Yeah, that would be great. See you." She closed the door and ran up to her own front door, quickly unlocking it. I drove myself back home. Greg was probably still put with Olaf, so I didn't bother to call him. I didn't except to find Nick sitting on the couch, watching the TV, either, but there we go. I put the dresses on the table and stretched.
"Hey, Nicky...what's up?"
"Oh, not much. I found a place." He said, looking up from the remote. I knew he didn't know how to work it. Even I didn't know how to work it. Far too many buttons and things.
"Oh, well, that's good. How did you like staying at Warrick's?" I asked, taking my jacket off and plonking myself down next to him. He scoffed.
"Yeah, that ain't happening again, let me just tell you." He shook his head, confused-looking.
"Oh, okay." Better leave it there, Moore. God knows what happened.
"I mean, how was I supposed to know her sister was in my bed. Shouldn't Warrick have known? Well, you'd think, but apparently not, no." He folded his arms, scowling. I stifled a laugh.
"Aha...okay. I won't ever ask you again." I turned the TV down a bit. "On the bright-side, I got some dresses."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Red ones." I grinned.
Nick arched an eyebrow. "Red? What colour's your dress?"
"I haven't got one. I'm just worried in case I turn into a Bridezilla or something." I muttered to myself. Nick smiled.
"Well, I don't think you will if you still haven't got a dress." Nick flicked over to the Wine channel then, disgusted with himself, promptly flicked it back.
"Mm...oh, my cousin's coming over tonight. Michelle. You'll like her."
"I've met her before...uh, short. Black-ish hair?"
"The very one." I yawned. I was very tired all of a sudden. Jeez, maybe I had hypothermia. Was it even possible to get hypothermia in the desert? "So, where's the new place?"
"Just outside the strip. The people are friendly and it's clean. Crime rate's good." Nick never once looked over at me. Instead, he was engrossed in the cooking channel. I rolled my eyes and picked up my cell phone. I had one missed call from Greg. I hit the re-dial button and smiled. Two rings and he answered.
"Hey, Greg..you called?" I greeted him cheerily.
"Allie!" Cue a light flutter from my stomach. "Yeah, I met Ashley." He sounded down-trodden. No wonder. "She, uh, invited herself over for dinner."
I bit my lip. "Oh, right." I was disappointed. I knew we wouldn't have been alone anyway, what with Nick and Michelle, but I really, really wanted to spend Ashley-Free rime with Greg. Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd say she was a complete, weird stalker. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again. Anyway, I sighed and cleared my throat. "Well, Michelle's coming and Nick's gonna be here, so...it's fine. I'll handle it. How's Papa Olaf?"
"He's good. We're watching 'Dodgeball', then I'll be home, okay?" Papa Olaf...watching Dodgeball. Now I've heard everything.
"Not a problem. See you..." I bit my lip, waiting for Greg to continue. Hopefully, the pause on my side of the phone made him take the hint.
"Oh, I love you." He said, amusedly.
"Love you, too. Bye!" I hung up, laughing. Poor Greg. I sighed and looked at Nick. Creme Caramel seemed to be something he was interested in. "Guess who's coming to dinner, Nick."
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Eight rolled around much faster than I wanted. The dinner - penne pasta in a delightful roasted vegetable sauce, obviously tomato-based - was nearly ready but I wasn't. I put Nick in charge for a few moments before I went to the bedroom to get changed. No doubt Ashley would be in the lowest cut thing she could find. So, I pulled out a red, sparkly number. Strapless, and not too low. It had sequins at the bottom of it, and it finished at the top of the knee, like most of my things. I curled the bottom of my hair and put on a tiny, tiny bit of eye-liner. Greg rolled into the bedroom a few moments into my hair-curling.
"Hello!" He smiled, plopping himself onto the bed. I grinned.
"Hey, handsome." I turned round and bit my lip. Greg was busy taking his shoes off, and sighing slightly. "What's up?"
"Nothing. I was just hoping..." He stopped, glaring at the floor. My hair was finished, so I switched the machine off at the wall and put them on my dresser, heading over to Greg. I sat down and put my hand on his back, rubbing gently.
"What were you hopin'?"
He looked up, smiling pitifully. Then he shrugged elaborately. His hair was spiked majorly today, resembling a porcupine slightly. A cute one, though. "I just kinda...hoped I wouldn't have to see Ashley today. You know, day off and everythin'."
"Oh. Don't worry about it." I kissed him on the cheek and stood up, only to be pulled back down and get kissed properly. "Thanks. I really needed that." I added, sarcastically. Greg laughed and proceeded to lie back down on the bed. I went back to my business at the mirror.
"Olaf was asking about you."
"Oh, yeah...what was he asking?"
"Wanted to know if you had a dress yet."
"Ha. Not likely. I got the bridesmaids dresses today, though."
"I saw." Greg enthused, walking over to me and my mirror. "Good choice."
"Michelle." I smiled. "She picked 'em, thankfully. You know," I stalled, turning round to Greg. "We really should be sharing these tasks. Like, I take the dresses, the flowers and all the girly stuff, you take the cars, suits, all that jazz. Maybe even the rings. Then, we both take the venue, cake and all."
Greg nodded. "Fine by me. But don't expect a big help."
"I didn't." This was met with a glare, and a laugh. "Relax, I was kidding. Oh, I got a new CD for you, too."
His eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"Under the pillow."
Greg immediately dove under the pillow and pulled out the DVD and then the CD. "Oh, yes!" He grinned. "'Die Hard' and Rancid Molecules! Thanks, Al..." He pulled the notelet out of the CD and started reading. I think he really only likes them for their name. Metal and science...what could be better for him? Maybe if they were naked women singing in a metal-style and playing around with a microscope. Eugh. Bad thought, very, very bad thought.
"And Moulin Rouge is on tonight." I love that movie, I really do! The acting, the plot, the soundtrack - it's all good. Even the cast. Greg only nodded, still engrossed. "By the way, that is not o be played at the dinner table."
Greg smiled, lopsidedly...suddenly, I felt myself wanting him to play it at the table. How does he do that?! "Fine. No Bryan Adams." He came over to me, looking more playful than anything else.
"I wasn't gonna play Bryan Adams."
"Good."
"No, excellent." Unfortunately, as I was about to get kissed again, I heard the doorbell. Either it was really good news or really bad news. Most likely, it would be the latter. Greg looked at the ground and then went over to the wardrobe, getting changed. Personally, I liked the green tee, and I loved the light jeans and the dark-spiky hair. He didn't have to change, especially not for Ashley. I gritted my teeth as I went to open the door. The apartment was looking very well indeed. Very clean.. Nick had hurriedly told me that the dinner was fine, and he was still stirring every few minutes. Michelle was on the other side of the door, all dressed up and glitzy. I grinned, pulling her into a hug. "Michelle!"
"Hi!" She exclaimed, handing me a huge box of chocolates. "I brought these, cause...well, you guys always bring me something." She shrugged and walked into the sitting room.
"Thanks, make yourself at home. Nick did." I winked at him, and he glared.
"Hey, Michelle." Nick greeted, smiling now. She sat down, waving. Her dress was lovely! Blue, and knee-high. Very cute. So, she and Nick started chatting away and I finished up with the dinner. Greg joined them a few moments later, changed into dark jeans and a purple shirt, with an open collar. My brain nearly halted it's functions when I saw him. I quickly got back to work and then the doorbell went again. I rushed out into the hall, primping my very-nice-self in the mirror. I opened the door to find Ashley in the world's smallest dress. It was khaki-green, and just barely-there. Seriously, it must only have just started at the top of her very-large and very scary bosom and finished just underneath her also very-large rear. Somehow, I felt morally outraged, having a mini-rant in my head. I mean, Nick and Greg were in the other room.
"Well, hi." She greeted, hands on hips. I managed to get a look of her face. Whoa. Dark-green eyeshadow and fire-engine red lips. Gah!
"Hi."
"Can I come in?" She switched her pose.
"Sure." Jeez, Allie...pull your charms out of the bag and let the, uh, let Ashley in! "Come on in." I wondered if she was cold...she certainly looked cold, anyway. She flashed me a large smile and swanned into the living room. Vibrant red shoes, too, I noted. I was only a few steps behind her, so I got a great look of everyone's faces. Nick's jaw fell open, and so did Michelle, but Greg's was an absolute picture. His eyes were huge and he looked really, really disgusted. I stifled a laugh.
"Well, hello, everyone." Ashley smirked.
"Uh, Nick and Greg...you two know her already, but Michelle, this is Ashley Kelly. She's the new tech at the lab and Ashley, this is my cousin, Michelle."
"Ah, uh, nice to-to meet you." Michelle stuttered out. Ashley gave a smile that just oozed confidence.
"Charmed, I'm sure." She sat down right next to Greg. There was, what, an inch between them. "Allie, honey, have you got any red wine? I'm dying of thirst." Her voice was so squeaky, but quite loud. She turned to Greg. "How are you?"
"I'm good." He quickly averted his eyes down to the carpet. I laughed to myself and headed into the kitchen, pouring her some red wine. Suddenly, I heard Ashley's shrill laugh coming in from the sitting room into my kitchen. Oh, no.
"Oh, Allie. Very kind of you to let me come for dinner." She announced, looking all-too smug about the situation. "Tell me, can I lend a hand?" I had a quick look at her hands; two-inch fake, blood-red nails.
"No, thanks. I'm alright by myself." She nodded, taking the glass of red wine that I was holding out for her and walked back into the living room. Not long after, Nick and Greg rushed in. Nick frowned and Greg rubbed his eyes. "Yes, boys?" I smiled, taking the giant pot of sauce off the stove and setting it onto the counter. My pasta was cooked to absolute perfection.
"No, we're not." Greg folded his arms, nodding at Nick.
He cleared his throat. "Yeah, Al. Why don't you offer her a jacket or something? Another dress, maybe..."
I shook my head. "I doubt that I'd have anything to fit her, Nicky. Besides...I thought you two would've enjoyed it."
Greg glared. "Well we're not enjoying it." He nudged Nick.
"Uh, yeah. I mean, no...we're not."
I rolled my eyes. "Go on in and talk to her...you'll be fine, I promise you."
Nick nodded and went back in, quick-smart. I got the feeling he wasn't all that bothered by her outfit, or lack-thereof. Greg stayed behind. "You know I'm not looking at her, right?" He flashed me a cheeky-grin and leant over the counter. I smiled.
"I had hoped. You are a dude, though, so..." I put two ladle-fulls of pasta on each plate, and then two and a half of the sauce. Wow. That is a lot of sauce. "Uh, are the drinks in, Greggo?"
He nodded, coming over to me and lifting up a plate. "I'll be back." He winked. I tutted. Poor Greg, he must've been trying to compensate. I looked down at my dress, feeling a bit over-dressed. I laughed again, to myself, taking two plates and serving them up.
Oh, yes, this was going to be very, very fun.
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A/N: Hello!
Ah, I really, really enjoyed writing this chapter. So fun! Oh, man, I detest Ashley! I can't believe it!!! And I invented her. Tsk.
Oh, have any of you seen Snow Wonder? I actually really enjoyed it. Eric Szmanda was very good. Strange, though, seeing him as not Greg Sanders. Weird. I'm absolutely DESPERATE to see True Vinyl. It looks amazing. I've seen twenty minutes of it on YouTube, but they took it back down on account of copyright. Imagine my surprise. is a brilliant resource for saving youtube videos. Sorry for the ramble!
Thanks to all my reviewers...you guys are the bomb. By the way, I'm trying to get at least sixty reviews for this one, so...tell all your friends :)
Please R&R!
Happy New Year,
JauntyChick
XOX