PART 1 - A Love Unlived

CHAPTER 3 - You can't hide from Sally

"Wow look how it fits!"

Sally grinned as her head popped out of the neck hole of the formal dress she was shimmying into.

"You haven't zipped it up yet," giggled Nicole who sat with her feet dangling off the side of Sally's grand four-post bed. She jumped up and hurried over to Sally whose arms were flailing as she struggled to reach the zipper on the back of her dress.

"It's definitely a little tighter than I remember." muttered sally.

Sally turned slowly on the spot with her arms out to her sides, critically examining herself in the mirror. "I knew I shouldn't have eaten so much dessert the other day but what am I supposed to do, the castle chefs keep throwing celebration feasts!" she said, blue satin fabric hung elegantly from her feminine frame. "Oh Nicole, does It still look okay?"

"Err... define okay" teased Nicole, an expression of mock apprehension on her face.

"Hey! You'd better watch out or I'll reprogram you into an elephant. You'll have to wear a sheet to the party!" Sally shot back, her playful smile fading slightly as she looked disapprovingly at the mirror "Seriously Nicole, does it look alright?"

Nicole, who was now sitting back down, looked her in the eyes and nodded solemnly

"You look amazing Sally, really".

"Thanks Nicole."

There was a comfortable minute of silence, the sort that can only exist between friends, Nicole spectated as Sally used the bedroom's large ornate mirror to model her dress from a variety of angles. Satisfied, she smiled and gave a little nod before twirling on the spot playfully.

"Well that's my dress done. What about you Nicole? Are you wearing anything special?"

"A-actually I did have something In mind." Said Nicole shyly, being the center of attention was not her strong suit, "Perhaps you could tell me what you think?"

Sally smiled warmly and gave an supporting nod which prompted Nicole to stand up. With a self-conscious look downwards Nicole's physical form dissolved in a glow of green light and not a moment later she was back, her regular purple dress replaced by an elegant, ankle-length, flowing golden gown.

Sally gasped and stood for a second in awed silence. " Wow Nicole!" she exclaimed " That. Looks. Amazing!" and she enviously admired Nicole's new look.

"It's... It's okay?" said Nicole, who smiled cautiously. She'd never dressed up like this before, and was slightly taken aback by how she looked, This is actually pretty fun.

"Okay? Nicole, it's incredible! You look like a model! As Princess of this kingdom I may have to order you not to wear it, you're going to make me look bad!"

"You're not trying to catch someone's eye are you? " Sally asked wryly.

Nicole's eyes suddenly shot down to her feet and her face flushed bright red. She was dead silent. Sally laughed casually but stopped when she noticed.

"Nicole, are you alright?"

Nicole was silent, briefly she glanced up and in her eyes Sally caught a glimpse of deep embarrassment. But it couldn't be could it? Because that would mean... A cheeky grin of recognition swept over her face.

"Ohhh IIIIIIII see"

Sally placed her hands on her hips and gave Nicole a knowing grin. Nicole shifted uncomfortably on the spot; she was suddenly desperate to avoid eye contact, her face felt red hot from blushing and she wished she were were invisible.

"Hey come back here you!" Sally burst out laughing as Nicole's desire to disappear began to manifest itself physically.

"You can't escape from me that easily. Whooo is it Nicole?"

"N-Nobody" she muttered, and drew away in discomfort.

"I bet it's -" Sally started but then stopped suddenly and scolded herself. Gosh her emotions are so advanced these days sometimes I forget she's still learning about some new ones, this must be really hard for her.

Sally gave Nicole a hug. "Nicole I'm sorry, you don't need to tell me anything, I'm just so excited for you." then she winked "You know it doesn't matter who it is anyway. You could have any guy in the world looking like that!"

Nicole blushed again but relaxed."Thank you Sally. I'm sorry too. I... I want to tell you, but It just makes me feel so embarrassed. Is that normal?"

Sally chuckled and gave Nicole a sympathetic frown "Oh yeah, you'd better believe it! I hate to tell you honey but If you think you're embarrassed talking with me about this, just wait till you try to tell them how you feel!" Playfully she gave Nicole a tight squeeze "Sorry Nicole, you're just going to have to get used to it"