Hello there! I know that I took forever updating this, and it's still a little short. But still, enjoy! ^^
The sounds of morning gradually invade my sleep. I roll over and yawn, curling up to enjoy the warmth of my bed a little longer. I eventually get up, formally acknowledging the start of the day. "Morning Zexion!"
Said person glances up from his book. "Good morning." I notice that he has made considerable progress in the novel since I saw him last night.
"You didn't stay up all night reading, did you?" This had happened before. Zexion had a bad habit of becoming obsessed with a particular story and not eating or sleeping until it was done. He fasted one time over a 10-book series.
"Not any longer than we would have stayed up with homework."
"If you say so," I say skeptically. My doubts are quickly banished in favor of excitement. Today was a day of fun and relaxation, and I was not going to ruin it by worrying about my brother's deplorable sleeping habits. "What time is it?"
"9:15," he answers after a quick glance at the clock.
"Kinda late for me, huh?" He chooses not to answer, completely engrossed in his book. I scoff and stomp off to my room to get ready, mentally scolding Zexion for ignoring me. I take my time, brushing my hair slowly and picking out the perfect outfit. Time goes by, I finish up, and walk towards the door, figuring that I might as well be on my way. It's not like I have anything else to do today. "Bye, Zexy! I'm leaving now!" As I expect, he does not respond, still focusing on whatever he was reading. Only after I close the door do I hear a belated, "Don't call me that!"
The weather is still deathly cold, and I wrap my jacket closer to my body. Well, technically it's Zexion's jacket, but he won't notice. Xion's favorite store is just a few blocks from my apartment, so I make it there quite soon. The bargain department store (yes, that's what it's officially called) looms above me with the promise of a headache from shopping. Xion is already by the front door, rocking out to her iPod. I creep up behind her and tap her on the shoulder.
"Boo."
Xion smacks me and glares, still listening to music. After a glare-down, she smiles suddenly and chirps, "Well, come on then!" I let her drag me through the large glass doors and between aisles, finally coming to a large section solely devoted to dresses. "Alright... Grab everything you want to try on and meet me by the fitting rooms!" She darts away from me, humming something cheerful. I shrug and slowly pick through the gowns, ending up with two pretty black and white patterend ones. I approach the fitting rooms, staring in horror as Xion approaches me, buried under a mountain of fabric.
"You can't possibly be trying on all of that!" I protest.
"Oh, of course not. Half of these are for you," she replies cheerfully.
...Someone save me.
"How about this one?" Xion twirls in front of me in a stunning emerald gown, with long sleeves and a flowing skirt.
"I like it," I say encouragingly.
"No, you're right, it's not my color," she complains as if she hadn't heard me, which might be true. She rushes into her stall for the sixth time and emerges in a pink dress. "Hmm?" she asks wordlessly, examining herself in a mirror.
"Well, perhaps-" I starts, though I am again cut off.
"Too girly, you're right. Not me." Again and again she rejects beautiful dresses, claiming they were too short, too long, too bright, too dark, or just too 'not her'. I begin to give up, only giving the occasional nod or grunt in response to her never-ending questions. Eventually she comes out in her last dress, oddly quiet and actually paying attention to me. "What do you think of this one?"
I snap my head up, trying to refocus. "Umm..." The color is a deep blue that matches her eyes, and it comes with a short jacket of white that makes both the fabric and her eyes look brighter. "I... like it. A lot."
Xion actually remains silent, thinking for a little while longer. "I do too!" she grins, eyes bright. "This is the one!"
"Great," I say dully, about to fall asleep. "Now can we go?"
"Course not," comes her voice from behind the curtain. "Now it's your turn!" She bounces out redressed in her jeans and shoves about a dozen hangers in my hand, attached to a hopelessly large mass of fabric. "I'll wait here." I sigh and duck under the curtain, getting to work. This shopping business is worse than dealing with Larxene.
"No."
"No."
"No way!"
"Nope."
"Don't think so."
"Definitely not!"
"Uh, no."
"Not that one."
"Um... No."
I groan in exasperation, feeling a headache forming because of Xion's endlessly negative comments. It seemed that I was never going to get out of here, what with her not 'approving' any one of my outfits.
"Hmm..." she says now as I stand awkwardly in front of her.
"Let me guess," I say irritably. "'NO.'"
"Actually," she hums, getting up to examine me on all sides. "This could work."
"I feel like a mannequin," I grumble, fidgeting in the black gown.
"Hush, Rain!" Xion backs away with a thoughtful expression. "What do you think?"
Oh, now she asks my opinion. "I like it," I say honestly. It was pretty, it was comfortable, and it was cheap.
"Done!" she shouts, gaining the attention of other innocent shoppers. "Then we'll get this one!"
"Thank god," I mumble, glad the torture is over.
"You're gonna look great, Rain!"
"Thanks, you will too." The thoughts of the dance cause a sly smile to creep onto my face at the thought of my genius plan. "It'll be fun."
Okay, again, I'm really sorry that this chapter is shorter than usual, but I'm very busy with finishing up the school year. Hopefully you still liked it. :)
As always, thanks to all my reviewers. All thoughts are appreciated. Just a warning: All flames are given to Axel, who may or may not use them for destructive purposes. SO BEWARE! XD
