Cupcake

It was Saturday, but Mom was still talking about Friday night football.

Case in point:

“Wow, what a game,” Mom said. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen one from the stands.”

“So you liked it?” I asked.

“Absolutely! Thanks, girls, for letting me tag along last night. Hope I didn’t cramp your style too much.”

Toni laughed. “As if. We’re not exactly popular, Ms. Duncan.”

“We prefer it that way,” I added.

Mom bit her lip. “When it comes to football, I know I can get loud. I just hope I didn’t embarrass you guys.”

I nudged Mom with my elbow. “You didn’t, Mom. It was fun to hang out.”

“Hey Ariel, I meant to ask,” Toni said suddenly. “What was in that bag you gave Rhys? You bring him more cake pops or something?”

“Yeah,” I said with a shrug. “He seemed to like them a lot last time.”

Toni lifted a knowing eyebrow. “Oh, he likes something all right.”

“And Rhys!” Mom said, sailing right by Toni’s insinuation, for which I was glad. “That boy has some arm. I can’t wait to see what his college career is like. He’s going to be a star.”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “I think he already is.”

Toni rolled her eyes. “Okay, can we focus, please?” she said. “Today’s not about football or hot guys. We’re on a mission, ladies.”

Mom and I nodded. She was right. Gushing over Rhys’s game wouldn’t solve the problem at hand: I was still dress-less, and this was the last weekend before Homecoming. We had work to do, and I was glad to have the two most important people in my life here with me.

“Right, girls,” Mom said as we stopped on the sidewalk. “We’re not going home until we find a dress.”

“Or until the shops close,” I muttered, but Mom shushed me.

“Stay positive, Cupcake. This is your day. Just remember: if you believe, you will achieve.”

Toni’s brow furrowed. “Isn’t that something you teach in kindergarten?”

Mom sniffed. “Yes, and it’s true, for them and for us today.”

My bestie lifted her hands up high in feigned self-defense. “Hey, I’m not arguing. I am a fan of both believing and achieving. I’m all in.”

I bit my lip as I looked up at the store in front of us, bad memories assaulting me.

“You ready for this?” Toni asked.

“I guess,” I muttered.

“Hey, it won’t be like last time, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Yeah,” Mom said and gave my hand a squeeze. “We’re here for you, baby. If you don’t like anything, there are other places we can go.”

Taking a deep breath, I gave a nod.

“Okay, let’s do this,” I said.

From my first step in the door, I knew this trip would be different. The bell jingled in welcome, announcing our entrance, and a woman called out from the back.

“Be there in a sec,” she said. “Go ahead and make yourselves at home! Have a look around!”

“Okay,” Mom said. “Thank you, we will.”

This was like the shops Ms. Weaver took us to but with more character. Pictures of fashion icons, actresses on the red carpet, and famous singers lined the walls, and the mannequins came in all shapes and sizes. I’d never seen that before, and it helped ease my nerves.

There were different colors and dresses everywhere. Eveningwear was on one side of the store, casual on the other. I made my way over to a dress on the evening side. It was gorgeous. What immediately caught my eye was the fuchsia pink material. It shimmered, looking light yet substantial with a deep V-neck, long sleeves and a long skirt. The material looked like it had been dusted with stars. My favorite part, though, was the cinched-in waist. That just made it so much more classic.

“You have good taste,” a voice spoke from behind me.

Turning, I saw an older woman with dark braids smiling at me. She nodded toward the dress I realized I was still touching, and I dropped my hand away.

“Do you like that one?” she asked. “It would look brilliant on your figure.”

“It’s beautiful,” I said. “But I’m not sure I could pull it off. This dress needs someone worthy of its awesomeness to wear it.”

She made a noise in her throat. “You most definitely could.”

I gave her a small smile. “I think it might draw too much attention.”

“A little attention’s never a bad thing.”

Toni joined us then, her arms already filled with dresses.

“Ariel,” she said, sounding a little out of breath, “there you are. I’ve been looking for you. I found you a few dresses to try on.”

The woman looked happy. “Should I open up a changing room?”

“Please.” I nodded. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome,” she said, taking the dresses from Toni’s arms. Before she walked away, she plucked the dress I’d been staring at from the rack. “I’ll just take this one, too.”

“Oh,” I said, “but I’m not even sure it’s my size.”

The woman threw me a wink. “I’ve been doing this a long time, girl. Trust me. It’s your size.”

As she disappeared into a back hallway, I glanced around.

“I like this place,” I said.

“Me, too,” Toni agreed. “It’s cool and so was that lady you were talking to. Did you really only find the one dress, though?”

I shrugged. “It called to me.”

“Well, let’s see what else speaks, shall we?” she said, tugging on my arm. “And I’m talking about for me, too.”

“I thought you had a dress,” I said.

“I do.” Toni sniffed. “But it never hurts to look.”

We ran into Mom moments later, and like Toni, it seemed like she’d found several items.

“Want to try some of these on?” she asked hopefully.

I nodded and off we went.

My main goal had been to find a dress that fit. If I was being honest, that was my only criteria. What I hadn’t expected was to have a large selection to choose from. Toni and Mom had gathered a bunch of choices, and while yes, some of them didn’t look right on me, shockingly, the majority of them did. I modeled each one, and I had to admit: with the music pumping through the store’s sound system, my mother and BFF there rooting for me, it was a lot of fun.

“Ooh, I like that one, too,” Mom said. “I don’t know how you’re going to choose.”

“Same,” Toni said, “but I liked the red dress better.”

Mom’s eyes widened. “I forgot about that one.”

“What do you think, A?”

I tilted my head. “I’ve liked most of them. But I still don’t think I’ve found the one yet.”

“Well, keep trying, then,” she said. “Having too many options is definitely a good thing.”

“I agree,” Mom said and shooed me back into the dressing room.

After a couple more tries, I got to a black dress. It fit the Hollywood Vintage theme perfectly. It was something I never would’ve pictured myself in, but I had to admit the way it hugged my body, the hourglass silhouette…I loved it. Mom and Toni did, too.

But I still had one last dress to try.

The fuchsia pink evening gown that seemed to draw me from the moment I walked in was on the last hanger. The black dress had been dramatic. But this one… Goodness, when I put it on and looked in the mirror, I felt beautiful.

“Oh my gosh,” Toni said. “Ariel! You look amazing!”

Mom nodded. “I didn’t think I’d like anything as much as the black. But you in that dress? Ah, baby, you’re glowing!”

I looked in the mirror and could immediately see what she meant. My skin was aglow, and I didn’t know if it was the way the deep pink enriched my skin tone—or maybe how the dress made me feel inside was shining through on the outside.

The sales lady smiled as she walked by. “Told you it was your size.”

“You did,” I agreed.

“Your killer curves are exactly what that dress needs.”

I blushed at the compliment.

“Thank you, I really do love it.” My eyes went wide as I spotted the price tag for the first time. “But er…I didn’t realize how much it was. I’m sure another one will—”

Mom slapped her thighs. “We’ll take it.”

I blinked at her. “But Mom, it’s a lot—”

“I don’t care how much it is,” she said and handed the lady her card. “You love it. You look like a goddess in it. I’m getting you the dress.”

Toni threw me a smile. “Your mom rocks.”

“I know,” I said.

“Okay, now that you’re good, I’m going to have a little look around,” Toni said. “I spotted a skirt that I know will drive Ben wild. See you in a few!”

As she skipped away, I turned back to my mother. Her eyes were glassy as she looked at me.

“Mom, thank you so much, but you really shouldn’t have.”

“Yes, I should,” she said, wiping away a tear. “You have no idea how good it makes me feel to see you so happy. I’d give anything for that.”

I smiled, pointing to her face. “Is that what the tears are for—or did you see the price?”

She laughed. “That bad, huh?”

“I’ll pay you back someday,” I said.

“You pay me back every day by being a wonderful daughter,” Mom retorted. “Now, stop it with that. Get changed—we still have to find you shoes—and let’s go grab Toni before that saleswoman convinces her to buy everything in the store.”

Toni only ended up buying the skirt. I got Mom a pair of earrings I saw her eyeing, and we all went home with something. The search for a Homecoming dress was an undeniable success.

I should’ve been ecstatic. We’d had an awesome day. I loved my dress. It made my body look wonderful and accentuated every one of my favorite attributes about myself.

But hours later, as Mom and I were sitting on the couch, I couldn’t shake this feeling that something was off.

My phone pinged, and I looked down to find a text from Rhys.

Rhys: Looked for you at the grocery store today.

I smiled as I sent my response.

Me: Did you? Sorry I wasn’t there.

Rhys: The peas and I were disappointed.

He sent me a picture of him, looking into the camera as he leaned back against the freezer. Man, I thought. Even when he frowns, he’s lovely.

Realizing I hadn’t answered, I typed a quick reply.

Me: Apologies to you and the peas. I had to shop for a dress today.

Rhys: Really? You got something special coming up? 😉

Me: As a matter of fact, I do.

Rhys: Well? Don’t hold out on me, Princess. Did you find a dress or not?

I smiled at that.

Me: Yes, I did :).

Rhys: And??

Me: Not to sound too girly, but I love it!!! It’s actually pink, and it makes me feel pretty.

Rhys: Well, that makes sense. You are pretty.

I read the words again and again until a new text came through.

Rhys: So…are we talking pink like Pepto-Bismol?

Me: No!!! What the heck, Rhys?

Rhys: Sorry, sorry. That’s just all I can see.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Well, it’s not that, lol. My dress is a darker shade of pink.

Rhys: Still having trouble. Any chance you’ll send me a pic?

My heart got stuck in my throat, and I didn’t know what to say. It was a simple request. There was no reason for the wave of dread that overtook me. But for some reason, my fingers were frozen.

Rhys: Princess?

With a swallow, I forced myself to type one last reply.

Me: Sorry, Rhys. My mom’s calling. Talk later.

I locked my screen then turned it facedown—but a new text came through a second later.

Rhys: No worries. Sweet dreams, Princess.

My groan drew Mom’s attention.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

It obviously wasn’t. She knew that, which was why she asked the question.

“Not really,” I said. “Mom, can I get your opinion on something?”

“Sure.”

“It’s about Rhys.”

Mom nodded. “I thought it might be. What’s up?”

“He asked me out,” I said while flipping the phone between my hands. “He’s asked me a couple times actually.”

“Oh,” she said as I paused. “Well, what did you say?”

“I told him I need more time.”

“Nothing wrong with that. If you’re unsure how you feel about him, it’s a totally reasonable request.”

“That’s just it.” I sighed and rested my head against the couch cushion. “I know how I feel. I like him, Mom. I really like him.”

Mom turned to face me better. “Then why didn’t you say yes?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “I wanted to. I wanted to so badly. Toni asked me that, too, and I couldn’t explain it. I told Rhys it was because I had to prepare for the charity bake-off.”

Her brows lifted. “You’ve been ready for that for months.”

“I know.” I groaned again. “What the heck is wrong with me, Mom? Rhys is amazing. I have no idea why he’d want to date me, but he does. Isn’t that unbelievable?”

“I don’t think it’s unbelievable at all,” she said.

“You don’t?”

Mom shook her head. “Baby, you’re beautiful inside and out. You’re smart, kind, have the best taste in movies of anyone I know—besides myself. Of course Rhys likes you. What’s not to like?”

I shrugged. “It’s just hard to believe. We’re so different.”

“Are you really, though? I don’t think you give yourself or him enough credit.”

“You may be right,” I said. “Just now, we were texting about my dress. Rhys wanted a picture, and I froze, made some terrible excuse. I felt so beautiful today. But when Rhys asked, it was like the only things going through my mind were: What will he think? Will he like it on me as much as I do? What if he hates it?”

Mom shook her head. “If Rhys hates that dress, he’s crazy.”

“I agree,” I said. “But Mom, I’m so not that girl. My body isn’t perfect, but I love it. I pretty much always have. So why do I feel like this?”

“Ah baby, listen,” she said. “This is a lesson that took me a while to learn. It’s only natural to care what people think. You just can’t let that dictate or change how you feel about yourself.”

I nodded and lay my head on her shoulder.

“Did I help you at all?” she said.

“Yes,” I said, sighing. “Isn’t it funny how you can be okay and love yourself, but still not think anyone will ever love you back?”

“If by funny you mean sad, then yeah. It’s hilarious.”

We were silent a beat.

“Ariel, you have to know that’s total bull, right? Someone will love you. So many people already do, in fact.”

“Yeah, I know,” I said. “And for the record, even after all that, you still don’t think Rhys is crazy for wanting to date me?”

“No.” Mom rested her head on top of mine. “I think he’d be crazy not to.”