III. Phase 2

A few steps to left then a couple to her right. Oliva guided Diana, who had promised to keep her eyes shut, to a huge three part mirror in the center of the room.

Diana was nervous this was a big moment. Like many other times that Diana had been on the edge of anticipation, she started to imagine the worst. What if the suit looked horrible on her? What if she accidentally tore the suit? What if someone from Luna Nova barged in, took pictures and showed the whole school? What if? What if?

"Are you ready to see?"

"Y-yes." No, she wasn't but she knew she would never be ready so it was even more reason to do it now.

Oliva took her hands away from Diana, but Diana kept her eyes closed. Fear welded them shut.

"Ready? Now open them."

Diana quickly opened her eyes and was captivated. She saw herself wearing the white suit that she had seen that fateful day through the glass window. This suit complemented her hair and eyes with the silver cufflinks adding the finishing touch. Tears of joy started to well up in her eyes.

She had done it, she was wearing the suit that she had wanted. It felt amazing and just so right. Like this outfit was designed with her in mind. Diana felt empowered, like her whole body was brimming to the top with bold, dynamic energy. At the same time she felt distinguished and classy. This was so different than other times when she wore dresses, skirts and even women's suits. She could now effortlessly admit that she liked projecting a more masculine energy. This just felt right, it gave her pure joy.

Other times she was dressing for others and their perceptions for her. To look beautiful or feminine to others. Not this time. Now Diana knew that this was the part of herself that she wanted to show the world. Her strength through masculine confidence and class.

"What do you think, Diana? I personally think you look dashing." Oliva said smiling.

"D-dashing?" Diana asked breathlessly. Being dashing didn't seem so bad.

"Yes, I think this one compliments you features best. You look like a prince heading to a fancy ball." Oliva chuckled jovially.

Diana could see it now. Entering the ball with Akko as her date. Everyone in awe of the two of them. Akko with a shimmering ball gown and her in a dashing suit, ready to dance the night away. Everyone would finally see the real Diana, one of dignified, lion-hearted confidence not one crushed by the weight of her family's expectations. This was the Diana she wanted to be, one that didn't have to always fake confidence.

That was the next goal to strive for. Going to the ball, in her suit and with Akko.

"At risk of sounding overconfident, I like this one." Diana smirked.

"Okay, then. We will have the suit tailor made by this Thursday, we will call you if it is ready sooner." Oliva said helping to take parts of the suit as Diana took them off. She put the suit on a hanger and Diana dressed back into her day clothes.

"I know this your job, but I'd like to express my gratitude." Diana said reflecting on how she had lied to make an appointment in the first place.

"It's not a problem. I can tell you right now you're not the first woman to be fitted here." Answered Olivia.

That made Diana feel better. As she put her regular clothes on, she thought about how far away Thursday seem from today: Monday. She would just have to focus on the next part of the plan: getting Akko to be her date.

As Oliva and her walked out of the dressing room, Diana spotted Andrew and some of his friends. All of the courage Diana had felt earlier was ripped away from her. She felt endless insecurities taking over. If they saw her in here, she could only imagine the social ruin that she would experience. Diana thanked Oliva again and skillfully avoided the group's line of sight. Before she left the store she overheard their conversation.

"So who are asking to the dance, Diana or Akko?" Frank asked. "I'm going to ask Lotte."

"I'll probably ask Akko. She's probably the only girl that manages to charm me the way she does." Andrew remarked.

Diana was frozen in her tracks. So close to the door but stunned. She turned back, her stomach swirling with nausea, anger and fear. Fear of failure. How was she supposed to compete against Andrew? Akko was almost certain to say yes. She managed to make it out of the store with her broom and took off for Luna Nova, her mind racing with worry.

Diana decided to keep going with the plan. She had made up her mind and she had come this far, she wasn't about to just give up, even in a game rigged against her. She was Diana Cavendish, a witch that had fought for what she wanted. As she approached the school, she knew that she had to beat Andrew to the punch.

When Diana made it back to her room, it was silent. It seemed empty and she was grateful. it was four in the afternoon and she didn't want to tip-toe around her roommates. Suddenly the door opened, turning around she was bombarded by Hannah and Barbara. Both were hugging her and saying how worried they were about her.

"What happened in town, Diana? You didn't tell us anything!" Hannah said.

"Yeah is your family okay? Are you going to have to leave school, again?!" Barbara wailed.

"No, no. I'm not going to be leaving Luna Nova. I promise, I had to attend a meeting with my Aunt Daryl." Diana explained putting away her broom.

"Really?" Hannah said looking at Barbara.

"Because your Aunt was just here." Hannah said.

"Yeah we saw her in the hallway talking to professor Finnelian about making a large donation to the school." Barbara said thumbing behind them toward the door.

"Finnelian gave her an invitation to the ball." Hannah remarked.

Diana turned visibly pale and sat down on her bed, clutching the sheets. She wanted to cry, it seemed like the universe was throwing everything at her. First Andrew, now Daryl, god what was next? Hannah and Barbara rushed to sit down on either side of Diana.

"You seem sick, Diana." Barbara said putting the back of her hand to Diana's forehead.

"Yeah, earlier today you were pale and not acting like yourself. I don't care what you say, we're taking you to the nurse." Hannah determined standing up.

"Hey, wait a minute Han." Barbara said. "Diana is there something going on that you're not telling us? If there is we want to help, we're your friends."

Diana looked down at the floor and held her head in her arms. She had to let some of the stress out, it would eat her alive if she didn't.

"I've been under more stress than usual because of the ball. I've been preparing for it and ordering my attire. That's all." Diana explained, leaving out the suit and her feelings for Akko all together.

Barbara and Hannah relaxed a little bit but they looked at each other, knowing Diana was still keeping them out. Hannah was still visibly frustrated.

"Look Diana, I don't want to pry but me and Barbara tell you everything, even the stuff we have a hard time with because you're our friend. We were talking about this earlier, we still feel like you keep us in the dark about your problems. How can we be there for you if you don't let us?" Hannah asked getting more and more agitated.

Barbara looked sadly at Diana. "Hannah's right, why do you always push us away? We're a team."

Diana looked away with sadness and hurt. They were right, she wanted to tell them and in order for Diana to achieve her goal they were going to find out. Tears welled up in Diana's eyes when fear overpowered her, keeping her silent. She couldn't bring herself to tell them. What if they rejected her? What if this got out and the whole school publicly shamed her for it?

"I can' tell you. Not yet. I know it's not fair but I can't. I'm not even sure how to tell you, because I can't explain it myself." Diana said tears falling onto the floor. Diana tried to push past them, both Hannah and Barbara stopped her this time. The three of them sat on Diana's bed.

Hannah sighed and then spoke. "You don't have to tell us now. Just sit with us and don't run away anymore."

Barbara nodded smoothing Diana's arm.

Diana let the tears flow out as Hannah and Barbara sat there comforting her.