Woah I wrote two chapters in one night? Where was this speed writing when I was working on my Maximum Ride story? Oh well, Skip the plot bunny has returned to me and that's all that matters. I hope you guys like the new chapter. Oh and links to Nina and Amber's dresses are on my profile. Enjoy and don't forget to review :)Chapter 3
It took about ten minutes for the waitress to bring Nina and Amber their food. When she set the platter down in front of them Nina was blown away by how good it looked and smelled. She cut the pork in half and took some and put it on a separate plate the waitress had given her.
As she bit into the pork Nina's taste buds exploded. It was perfectly seasoned and cooked to that just right temperature. It had to be one of the most delicious things she had ever eaten. "It's good isn't it?" Amber asked. She was slowly eating her food as well but also watching Nina with an amused smile on her face.
"It's amazing. Where did you find this place?"
"Right after Mick and I started dating we were walking around looking for somewhere to eat and we found this place. I've been coming here ever since. Not many people know about it though, but I like it this way. It's quiet." Nina then realized that Amber was right; there were very few people in the café. There was one older lady sitting in the corner drinking some tea and also a middle age man in a business suit. Amber and Nina finished the pork and the waitress then brought out what Amber had called Banoffee pie. "It's just pie with banana and toffee flavoring. You'll love it," Amber said as she took a forkful of the dessert. Nina took a fork and cut off a pit of the pie. Amber was right, it was delicious. The flavor combination was hard to describe but it defiantly was good.
"Here's your bill ladies. Have a good day," the waitress said. She set down a piece of paper in front of them and walked away. Nina reached into her bag to get her wallet but Amber held up her hand.
"No. I've got it Nina. You agreed to use your Saturday to come shopping with me. The least I can do is cover your bill." Amber pulled out her wallet, which surprisingly wasn't pink, and set out the exact amount on the table. Nina bit her lip but didn't argue back. It was useless trying to argue with Amber on anything.
With a small wave to the waitress the pair walked out of the café and back out into the cold afternoon air. Nina was in a much better mood now that she had eaten, though she still wasn't sure if she could keep up with Amber's feverish shopping pace. She was about to suggest staying behind to window shop while Amber went to find a dress when Amber grabbed her coat sleeve and dragged her down the sidewalk. "Right there! That's the one! It's absolutely perfect, I love it!" Amber squealed. Nina looked up to see the dress she was talking and she found herself staring at a pink explosion. "Let's go in. I have to try it on!" Amber pulled Nina into the store and asked the sales clerk if she could try on the dress.
The dress was so large Nina had to help Amber get into it and zip it up. "Oh I love it, it's so me!" Amber exclaimed again. Nina took a step back to look at the dress. Without a doubt it was just Amber's style. It was hot pink, had a ball gown skirt with pickups everywhere. At each pickup was a small rhinestone bead. The top of the dress was covered with sparkly little gems. The back side of it also had a bunch of gems. Amber was shrieking with happiness and Nina just rolled her eyes at her friend's reaction.
"Are we done now?" Nina asked. Deep down she knew that they weren't. Amber had much more in store for them.
"Of course not. I need to get some shoes still, and then we have to get you a dress. We aren't leaving here without getting you a dress."
"Ok Amber you win. Since you aren't going to let me skip the dance I might as well go along with this willingly. I'll find a dress, but it has to be one I like. And no dragging me around to look at a bunch of different dresses. Deal?" Nina stuck out her hand and Amber took it and shook it firmly. After Amber got out of her pink explosion dress Nina began walking around the store, gazing at all the dresses. Most of them were poufy, sparkly and not Nina's style.
"See anything you like?" Amber asked. Nina shook her head and Amber sighed. "All right. Let me pay for this then we'll go to another store. You have a lot of choices here, most of these boutiques carry formal dresses. Amber went over to the cashier and paid for her dress. The girl behind the counter put it into a big bag and handed it back to Amber.
They left the store and went into the one right next door. Amber went to go browse the shoes while Nina checked the dress selection. Even with the dozens of different dresses to choose from there wasn't a single one Nina liked. Maybe it was meant to be; maybe she wasn't supposed to go to the dance. "Nina!" Amber called. Nina turned, expecting Amber to ask her opinion on some pair of shoes. To her surprise she was looking at some of the dresses as well. "What do you think of this one? I know you don't like sparkles and glitter and such. Is this more your style?" Amber held up a dress and Nina looked it over.
It was a pale pink, which Nina thought was rather pretty. She was shocked to find herself thinking that. The pale pink was much more subtle than the bright pink Amber seemed to like so much, maybe that's why she liked this one more. The dress wasn't full length. Nina guessed it would go down to around her knees. There was a thick black ribbon that went around the waist and tied into a bow on the side. The dress was completely devoid of sparkle or glitter of any sort. Nina smiled and nodded. "I like it. I think I'll try it one. Thanks Amber." She took the dress from Amber and headed back into the dressing rooms. Amber followed behind excitedly.
As Nina put on the dress she found it fit like a glove. The hem ended just above her knees and the skirt swished around when she moved. She opened the door to the dressing room and Amber gasped in amazement. "Oh Nina it's beautiful! You look amazing! Come here and look at yourself." Amber pulled Nina over to the big mirror in the corner and placed Nina right in front of it.
"Amber I think you're over exaggerating. It's a pretty dress but I wouldn't go as far as you are," Nina protested. In shock, Amber stared at Nina. She put her hands on her hips and shook her head.
"Nina Nina Nina. What am I going to do with you? Here, try this." Amber pulled a hair tie off her wrist and gathered up a bunch of Nina's curly hair and placed it in a messy bun of sorts. "Now imagine you with makeup, slightly more styled hair and tell me that dress doesn't look amazing," Amber whispered. Nina rolled her eyes at Amber and pulled the hair tie out.
"I still think you're going too far with this," Nina said.
"Actually I'm not. You know who you look like? You look like your mum. This dress is the same color as the one in your photo. Plus when your hair was pulled back it made you look even more like her." Nina looked back into the mirror, trying to imagine the picture of her mom. She spent such little time looking at it she had to think for a moment of her mom's clothing in it. With startling realization Nina found that Amber was right.
"Ok. I'll get the dress," Nina finally said. Amber clapped her hands with joy and hugged Nina.
"We're going to have so much fun," Amber cheered. Nina changed back into her street clothes and paid for her dress. "Don't worry," Amber said as they walked out of the store. "I have the perfect pair of shoes for you to wear. Oh and jewelry. You don't have to worry about a thing." Nina then realized that Amber had forgotten her quest for shoes but decided to not say anything about it. Amber had dozens of shoes that would go with her dress; she didn't need to get another pair. Besides, Nina was exhausted and just wanted to go back to Anubis House.
"Ready to head back?" Nina asked hopefully.
"Yep. I can use a pair of shoes I already have," Amber replied. She sat on a bench at the bus stop and looked down the street for it to come. Nina smiled; it was amazing how little got past Amber. It was like she could read minds. As they sat waiting for the bus Nina let her mind wander to the upcoming dance. It was her first time going to a school dance and she was a little nervous. Though if she could survive going to boarding school in another country, break one of the biggest school rules by going into the forbidden attic and work to solve an ancient riddle and try to find buried treasure a school dance shouldn't be too bad.
Feeling someone tap on her shoulder brought Nina out of her thoughts. "Nina didn't you hear me?" Amber asked. Nina turned to face Amber and gave an apologetic smile. "I asked if you know who you want to go to the dance with."
"Well, um, no. Since I just found out I was going to the dance today I haven't given it that much thought. Probably no one though," Nina answered. Amber opened her mouth to say something but the honk of the bus horn interrupted her thoughts. Nina silently thanked the bus for saving her from answering a question she probably didn't want to be asked.
Amber and Nina spent the bus ride in silence, and the walk back to Anubis house in silence for that matter. Amber seemed to be deep in thought about something and Nina was just too tired to speak. She was planning on flopping down on her bed and not moving until Monday morning. They opened the door to Anubis House and found everyone sitting in the living room. "We're back!" Amber called happily. "And I'm happy to announce that Nina will now be joining us for the dance next week." Nina rolled her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. They both walked into the living room and Amber started telling Mick all about her dress and that she would make sure they matched. Nina on the other hand draped her dress bag over a chair and fell face first on the couch.
"Tough day?" Fabian asked in a low voice. Nina looked up and saw him looking down at her, a sympathetic look on his face.
"Don't get me started. I have a headache, I don't even want to get up right now," Nina muttered into the couch pillow. Fabian chuckled and went back to reading his book. As tired as Nina was she couldn't fall asleep. Maybe it was the fact she was lying on a couch instead of in a bed. Maybe it was because she was in a room with a lot of other people who were all talking at once. Or maybe it had to do with the fact her brain was in overdrive thinking about what Amber said about getting a date to the dance. Yeah, it was probably that.