The Learning Curve: Chapter 62
Seattle
"This is going to be so much fun," Alice all but squealed. She, Rosalie and I were wasting a perfectly good Saturday going to Seattle to buy our formal dresses. I was squeezed into the backseat of Rosalie's convertible, thinking of the things I could be doing with Edward right now and feeling sorry for myself.
"I think we need to hit Nordstrom's first," Rosalie said to Alice. "We can see what's available and what we're looking at price-wise."
"That works," Alice agreed. "And then we can check out the boutiques I found on Google."
I groaned. "I'm not spending more than fifty dollars on this dress."
Rosalie and Alice both looked back at me aghast, which was worrisome because Rose was still driving.
"Bella, you're not going to do that to me," Alice said.
"And you're not going to do that to my wallet," I complained.
"Fine. Rose, will you chip in with me for the rest of Bella's dress?"
Rose eyed me in the rear-view mirror. "Yeah, I'll chip in."
"You guys -"
"This is for Edward's sake, not yours. Plus I don't think I could handle the sight of you in cheap sequins and polyester blend."
I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything else. I didn't want to encourage them.
Nordstrom's was the nightmare I expected it to be. I followed my friends around in a fog of abject boredom. Occasionally one of them would thrust a dress into my hands and push me off to the dressing rooms. None of them seemed particularly worth the high price tag.
Not surprisingly, we left the first store empty-handed. The next few stops were completely out of our price range.
The next store, though, had possibilities.
"Try this one," Alice insisted. It was a knee-length, billowy, deep blue dress. I had to admit, it was beautiful.
As soon as I got into the dressing room, I checked the price tag. One-hundred-fifty dollars. Could I justify letting my friends spend the same amount I was to have this dress?
I put it on, knowing they were waiting to see it on me and assuming there would be some flaw in it that would allow me to insist on a different dress.
When I pulled the zipper up and looked in the mirror, though, I realized I was in trouble. The dress was absolutely perfect.
"Let us see it, Bella," Alice said in a raised voice through the door.
"Come out or we're coming in after you," Rose added.
I reluctantly stepped out the door, watching my feet.
"Ohh!" their collective sighs greeted me. Alice actually threw her arms around me. "Bella, that's the one."
I pushed Alice back gently. "I can't get this one, Alice. It's too expensive. And I can't let you pay so much for my sake," I added before she could repeat her earlier offer.
It was Rose that spoke up next. "You can, and you will. That dress is worth it. I just want pictures of the look on Edward's face when he sees you in that."
Looking between their resolute faces, I knew the decision was made.
"Thank you," I said simply, amazed at what wonderful friends I had.