Note: The fangirling I did while writing this chapter, ya'll!
-end note-
Summer 30
Julia and I had a sleepover at the church last night to prepare Dorothy for her date with Barrett this afternoon! I had brought over some of my nice outfits and hair ornaments last night for Dorothy to try on and see which one she would like. I was applying some of my face cream to Dorothy's face before doing her makeup. The door burst open as Cammy bounded in, she looked at her sister in confusion.
"Why does Dory have her hair wrapped in rags?"
"C-Cammy! You need to learn to knock!" Dorothy scolded as Cammy blinked at her.
"Oh, right!" Cammy exclaimed, leaving the bedroom, she rapped her knuckles on the door before quickly opening it.
"How's that?" She asked as Dorothy sighed.
"You need…oh nevermind, you'll learn e-eventually." Dorothy said.
"Now, why is your hair wrapped in rags? Is this a trend in one of Julia's weird magazines?"
"My magazines are not weird!" Julia exclaimed in offense.
"As for the reason why your sister's hair is in rags…well…you'll have to wait and see!" I exclaimed gleefully as Cammy tilted her head to the side.
"What?" The young three year old looked even more confused as I giggled.
"Just come back here around twelve and you'll see!" I told her as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Uhm, okay then!" And with that she left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Wow…you handled that well." Julia said to me in shock as I giggled.
"I think a certain someone has an influence on me right now." I placed my hand on my growing abdomen.
"Hey, by the way…" Julia began, "Whatever happened between you and Ray?"
"There was never anything between Ray and me. He's a great man, don't get me wrong…but there was never anything magical. When Ray and I danced at the previous dance festivals, that's all it was, dancing. However, when I danced with Jack I…felt my steps become lighter, as if I were dancing on a cloud. And when Jack and I touch there's a spark that I didn't feel with Ray." I blushed.
"And though I've never kissed Ray, I know it won't be the same as when I kiss Jack." I noticed Julia and Dorothy were leaning closer in interest.
"Well…what's it like when you kiss Jack?" Julia asked as I blushed.
"When my eyes are closed and our lips touch, I can see starburst and shimmer behind my eyelids and I feel as if my bones are melting." They both sighed in a dreamlike manner.
"I hope I'll be able to see that when I summon the courage to kiss Max." Julia said out loud as I squealed.
"I knew it! I knew iiiiiiiit! You still like my brother!" I exclaimed as Julia's face turned red.
"I-I was just thinking of if I were a child again!" Julia exclaimed nervously as I crossed my arms, giving her a sly look.
"Uh-huh, suuuuure, Julia!" I said, before noticing Dorothy's face looked a little sad…or at least the bottom half that I could see.
"Dorothy? What's wrong?" I asked as she began shaking.
"I-I'm just nervous n-now…" She said as I smiled compassionately.
"Don't worry, Dorothy! Your date is going to go well!" I exclaimed.
"Th-that's not what I'm n-nervous about…" She admitted as Julia and I looked at each other in confusion.
"Then, what are you nervous about?" Julia asked as Dorothy began to blush.
"I-if Barrett and I g-get to that stage…wh-what if it's not m-magical like Rosalind said? Wh-what if…I have t-to start over? A-and I know b-because of m-my personality th-that no one e-else will l-like me." Julia and I smiled at Dorothy before we embraced her.
"Have faith, Dorothy." I said.
"It'll all work out in the end!" Julia exclaimed as I looked at the clock.
"Oh! It's eleven already?" I asked in shock as I walked towards my suitcase I brought over, opening it to reveal a few of my outfits.
"I brought a few of my outfits for you to borrow for today, Dorothy! Pick which ones you like and try them on! And then, you can wear the one you like the most today!"
"Rosalind also brought over a few hair accessories! So after you get dressed in the outfit you like, I'll do your hair!" Julia exclaimed as Dorothy walked over to my suitcase, looking at the outfits in awe.
"Th-they're all v-very nice…a-are you sure I can wear one t-today?"
"Of course, Dorothy!" I began, "Now, pick out the ones you like and try them on! If you want an opinion, Julia and I will be outside your door!" And with that Julia and I left her bedroom. Several moments later, Dorothy opened her bedroom door.
"I-I think I l-like this one the b-best." She said, as Julia and I stepped in, seeing Dorothy in a periwinkle A-line halter above the knee dress.
"Oh! That one looks amazing on you, Dorothy!" Julia exclaimed.
"Yes, it really does! The shape compliments your figure!" I added, causing Dorothy to blush.
"Oh! My sister's dress is pretty! But I still don't like the rags!" Cammy exclaimed rushing in, "Are you going somewhere, Dory?" Dorothy blushed.
"Uh…ye-yes…I'm going somewhere." Dorothy replied.
"Can I come?" Cammy asked, as I heard Dorothy sigh.
"Ah, no, I'm afraid not, Cammy. This is for grown-ups only." I said as Cammy pouted.
"Anyway, it's almost twelve and you told me to come back here at twelve to explain the rag thing." Cammy said, pointing to Dorothy's hair.
"Ah, yes, I did! Are you ready, Julia?" I asked as Julia nodded, untying the knot from one of the rags and unrolling Dorothy's hair. Cammy gasped in delight.
"Oh! It made a curl in Dory's hair!" Cammy exclaimed.
"Yes, it did!" I exclaimed, as Cammy began to jump up and down in delight.
"Camilla Grace!" Gordon exclaimed from downstairs, causing Cammy to wince. "Come down here and put away your toys!" Cammy just sighed in frustration as I giggled.
"Go clean up your toys and by the time you finish I'm sure Julia will have Dorothy's hair finished!" I said as Cammy looked towards me.
"I can see her hair when Julia finishes?" Cammy asked.
"O-of course, Cammy!" Dorothy exclaimed, "I'm a-actually going downstairs after I'm r-ready."
"Oh! Okay! Then I'll meet you downstairs!" Cammy exclaimed, rushing out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Okay, Dorothy! Rosalind and I were talking and we think you should expose your eyes!" Julia exclaimed as I nodded in agreement.
"You have beautiful eyes, Dorothy!" I began, "So, you shouldn't hide them!" As Julia began to pin her bangs back, putting the back of her hair in an elegant half up ponytail, allowing tendrils of hair to frame Dorothy's face. I then applied a thin layer of mascara to her eyelashes.
"What do you think?" Julia asked as Dorothy opened her eyes to view herself in the mirror. Her mouth gaped open and her eyes were wide.
"D-Dorothy?" I asked.
"I…I like it." She began to shake. "But wh-what if B-Barrett doesn't?"
"I'm sure he'll love it!" I exclaimed.
"And even if he doesn't, I don't think he likes you for your looks anyway." Julia admitted as Dorothy blushed.
"Anyway, it's almost time! Julia and I will walk you to North Square! We heard that Barrett has a big surprise planned out for you!" I exclaimed gleefully, giving Dorothy a wink as the three of us walked downstairs. Gordon's eyes widened upon seeing his oldest daughter, as tears began to form in his eyes.
"Oh! You look beautiful, Dorothy!" Gordon exclaimed as Cammy squealed in delight.
"I really like your hair, Dory! You should put rags in it more often!" Cammy exclaimed as Gordon gave a hearty laugh.
"Enjoy your date with Barrett!" Gordon exclaimed as Dorothy and Cammy's eyes widened.
"Y-you know?" Dorothy asked as Gordon nodded.
"I'm actually part of the help for the surprise Barrett has planned, and plus, since he visits here a lot, I put the pieces together." Gordon said as we noticed Cammy's eye was twitching.
"My sister's going on a date with that meanie?!" She asked in shock as Gordon laughed again.
"You'll understand someday, Cammy!" Gordon exclaimed.
"A-am I the only one who d-doesn't know about the surprise?" Dorothy asked.
"I didn't know, either!" Cammy exclaimed.
"Well, I'm sure your sister will tell you about her date when she comes home! Until then, have fun, Dorothy!" Gordon exclaimed as the three of us walked towards North Square.
We arrived at North Square, Dorothy's head tilted to the side in confusion at the small round table in the middle and Jack dressed in a peculiar way. Barrett's back was towards us as Jack looked up to notice us.
"Ah, welcome to North Square Café, Dorothy!" Jack exclaimed, giving a regal bow. "I'm going to be one of your waiters this afternoon!" Barrett turned around, his cheeks became tinted a pink color as his eyes lit up.
"You look amazing, Dorothy!" He gasped in awe, before walking up to her offering his arm. Dorothy nervously grabbed it as he led her towards the table, pulling one of the chairs for her to sit in. While Dorothy was preoccupied, it was time for the other part of the plan! I had already snuck towards the farmhouse where a trunk was sitting, pulling out one of Cecilia's maid uniforms. I quickly got dressed in that, grabbing the pitcher of water from the nearby table. Jack walked in and blushed.
"They're looking at the menu now…I take it, you got the water?" He asked as I nodded. I began to walk past him, however he grabbed my waist, pulling me close, which caused me to giggle.
"Jack!" I scolded while laughing, "We can do that on our own time! Right now, we have two people who want a successful date!"
"Ah! Right, right." He said nervously, kissing my cheek. "I was just taken aback at how good you look in a uniform." He commented, causing me to giggle.
"I'm sure they're waiting for their water. You can compliment me more after their date." As I left the farmhouse to serve the two their water.
As I approached closer, I noticed Dorothy and Barrett were laughing about something as I smiled. They seemed to be having a good time so far! I felt a little guilty for having to approach them to fill their drinks. As I began to pour water into Barrett's glass, I noticed Dorothy's eyes widened.
"R-Rosalind?" She asked as I giggled.
"Yes, it's me! I'm your waitress this afternoon next to Jack!" I exclaimed.
"Ah, i-is Julia also a waitress?" Dorothy asked as I shook my head.
"No, Julia is actually doing something else. We'll tell you what that is later, though. For now, have you two decided on an appetizer and entrée?" I asked as Barrett looked up at Dorothy who nodded her head.
"I believe we have!" Barrett exclaimed as I took out a pad of paper and a pencil. Barrett motioned for Dorothy to go first.
"I-I'd like some mushroom rice for my s-starter…and char sashimi f-for my main." Dorothy said, as I looked over at Barrett.
"Mushroom rice sounds nice too for my appetizer! As for my main, I think I'll go with salted salmon!" As I took their menus.
"I'll get that put in for you two!" I exclaimed as I made my way towards the manor.
I opened the door to the kitchen where Cecilia was waiting patiently.
"Have we gotten an order?" Cecilia asked as I held up the paper.
"We do!" I exclaimed gleefully as Cecilia smiled.
"In that case, are you ready to get started, my sous-chef?" Cecilia asked as Julia held up a frying pan, saluting with it.
"Yes ma'am!" Julia exclaimed as I giggled.
"I'll leave you two to it!" I exclaimed.
"Come back in about fifteen minutes for the appetizers, Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia exclaimed as I nodded, going back to check on the couple.
"They seem to really be kicking it off." Jack said as I nodded, both of us watching Dorothy and Barrett from a distance finishing their dessert. Talking and laughing. They stood up from the table and started walking towards us. Jack and I also began to walk towards them.
"Thanks!" Barrett began, "For…helping me plan this out. Especially considering how I acted previously towards you, Jack." Jack and I smiled.
"It's no problem! You can make it up to me later." Jack said in a joking manner as Barrett chuckled.
"Anyway, we're going to head to Cherry Blossom Square to talk some more. Thanks again." Barrett said, offering his arm for Dorothy to grab.
"Have fun!" I exclaimed happily as Jack and I waved at them, watching them walk to Cherry Blossom Square. Jack then wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"I really hope it works out…I'd like for our little cutie to have a friend." Jack said with a sigh as I smiled.
"I just hope it works out for Dorothy's sake." I said, resting my head on Jack's chest.
Julia and I were waiting patiently in Dorothy's room for her to come back to tell us about what happened after the outside restaurant performance at Cherry Blossom Square. The door opened around 4 PM as Julia and I looked over towards Dorothy who seemed very flustered.
"Sooooo…how did it go?" Julia asked as Dorothy's cheeks became redder.
"I-I now know wh-what Rosalind sees and h-how she feels after she k-kisses Jack." Dorothy squeaked as Julia and I squealed in delight.
"Okay! You sit here and tell us everything!" Julia exclaimed, pulling Dorothy into her bedroom and sitting her on her bed.
"And don't skip anything!" I exclaimed.
"We-well, when B-Barrett and I were at Ch-Cherry Blossom S-Square…we started talking and…I s-started to become nervous…h-he asked why I w-was nervous…and I explained th-that I didn't u-understand why he l-liked me…" Dorothy explained as Julia and I leaned closer in interest.
"Uhm…a-and he cupped my face and t-told me he loved m-my s-sweet personality…a-and then he b-became distant…s-saying he w-was getting l-lost in my eyes. A-and I was g-getting lost in his eyes as well. O-our faces got cl-closer and…" Dorothy's whole body then turned red.
"I-it really was m-magical!" Dorothy squeaked as Julia and I squealed in delight, embracing our friend.
"B-by the way, what did you d-do, Julia?" Dorothy asked as Julia gave a huge smile.
"I was your sous-chef!" Julia exclaimed proudly.
"U-uh...y-you were c-cooking?" Dorothy asked nervously as I laughed.
"Don't worry, she was with Cecilia, Dorothy! So nothing in your dishes were out of place." I reassured her as Julia pouted.
"I'm not that bad of a chef!" Julia exclaimed as I leaned in towards her.
"You put a cabbage in a cake you gave to my brother." I whispered as Julia blushed.
"H-hey! Cabbage is good for you!" Julia exclaimed, pouting and crossing her arms, causing Dorothy and I to boom with laughter.