“A best friend isn’t just someone who’s always there for you. It’s someone who understands you a bit more than you understand yourself.”

Lena Rose Winter

Today was Friday, and everyone had school. The girls complained, and the boys couldn't care less. Well, obviously, they didn't have to prepare for perfect hair, makeup that took hours to master.

 The thing was, I didn't have anything to wear. I was horrified. All I had was a dress that was two sizes too small, that I'd worn at Valentine's Day, 3 years ago.

I wiped the sleep out of my eye, taking the Cheerios box and shaking some into my bowl. My mom was still asleep, which was really strange. Ever since Tori came into our lives, she'd always been going out in the afternoon and coming back after midnight. Frankly, curiosity was killing me, but I decided to give her time.

 She'll probably tell me at one point in life.

Ha, as if. I was determined to have a talk with her, but after the dance.

Tori was suspiciously eyeing me, she looked as if she'd forgotten something.

"What are you wearing for the dance, Lena?" asked my sister, as she poured milk on her cereal.

I shrugged innocently. "Noshing," I accidently spit a bit of milk on Tori. She gave me a death glare, then took a napkin and wiped my spit off her shirt.

"First, do you have any manners? It's extremely rude to speak while eating. Now, finish munching the bloody food and give me a real answer."

I smiled. Taking my precious time, I chewed and chewed and then swallowed.

"Finally, now, do you have a dress or not?"

"Nope."

Tori froze for a second, it took her time to process my answer.

"Earth to Tori," I said, waving my hand in her face.

 Then, she gasped loudly.

"Lena Rose Winter! How in bloody hell do you consider yourself going to the dance? In your penguin pajamas?" She yelled, making me jump in the air.

I held my hands up in surrender. "Calm down, woman. I'll figure something out."

"What do you mean? Americans these days. Are you sure you're a girl? Honestly, all I see in movies is women always freaking out about how they have to look perfect."

I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed. “Shut up."

Hurt flashed in her eyes, then she recomposed herself quite quickly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" I sighed, feeling guilt washing over me. Tori stuck her tongue out.

I grabbed my bag, heading for the door.

"Come on, we're going to be late for school. I'll figure something out later."

A hand clutched my arm, I turned to face Tori, who had a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Uh oh, not good.

"No, missy. You ain't going anywhere. We're going shopping,"

My eyes widened. "Tori. We have school. I'm not skipping it just because of a stupid dress."

She raised her eyebrows, as if daring me to challenge her.

"Oh, don't look at me that way," I exclaimed, cowering a bit. That did nothing but intensify her glare.

"Stop it, Tori."

She smirked, knowing I was about to crack. "Stop smirking, for God's sake!"

My she-devil sister fully smiled.

"Yeah, yeah we're going shopping. Wipe that grin off your face,"

We headed for her bright red car, and Tori started the engine.

"Mission Dance: Find Lena A Suitable Outfit. Mission F.L.A.S.O. begins now," shouted Tori, as the car moved in the direction of Riverside Mall.

-

My older sister and I scanned the display glass in different stores. I was extremely bored and tired, while Tori resembled a child who'd eaten too much candy. Her chocolate brown hair bounced on her shoulders from all the jumping around.

"Step one: Find a dress. Still failing, so far." said Tori in a robotic voice. She grabbed my hand and practically ran into a random store of which I didn't catch the name.

Once inside, I was astonished. This was the fanciest store I've ever been in.

The walls were painted a creamy, elegant white, and on some parts, there were rosy vines. A huge chandelier lightened up the store, looking like a thousand candles hanging under the ceiling. Cozy-looking, chic cushions were almost everywhere. Beside each one, there was a cup of tea. But that wasn't what made my mouth go dry.

The dresses were that reason. They were in every place I laid my eyes on. A hundred shades of every single color in the world.

"Hello, dear," A kindly voice said, interrupting my daydream. I turned to face a sophisticated looking old saleswoman. Her hair was in a clip, her face had the perfect amount of makeup on it and her clothes looked more expensive than my entire closet. Looking down to my poufy black jacket, red jeans and ratty sneakers made me frown.

I closed my mouth, fearing that I'd embarrassed myself too much.

"Hello, Susie! This is my sister, Lena! We're looking for a dress, she has a dance to attend," replied my life-saving Tori. I shoot her a grateful smile, she winked at me.

Susie nodded her head, and ushered with her hand to a rack of different dresses.

"These are all probably your size, which ones would you like to try on?"

I cleared my throat and gave Tori a glare. How was I supposed to know which one was the one?

My sister grabbed about 10 dresses and handed them to me.

"Oh, I don't think we'll need your help anymore, Susie, I think I can deal with my little bear." said Tori, addressing herself to the saleswoman.

I felt my eyes widen. I was seriously scared, yet amused at the same time.

Tori could be a cute koala, but she can equally be a mean, mama bear.

"Go try them on," ordered Tori.

I did a salute , then muttered: "Yes, ma'am," heading for a dressing room.

I took a random dress, then tried it on. I frowned. It was a tube, floor length bright green dress. There was absolutely nothing special about it. Well, maybe the jewels on the end of the dress made it look less plain.

I opened the curtain, prepared to face Tori's opinion.

Her face scrunched up in a grimace, and with the hand that didn't hold a cup of tea, she motioned for me to turn around. I obeyed.

"No, no, no! You look like a vegetable I would never eat! Lena, you look like a celery!"

I stuck my tongue out childishly, then went back to the dressing room. I sighed.

And so it went on for at least two hours. Me, trying every single dress Tori gave me, and her, finding a quirk in each single one. She had a thing against fruits and vegetables. 

Apple, orange, banana, cucumber, tomato and the list goes on and on.

SOS, Tori took me shopping. I texted Liam quickly.

I was absolutely exhausted. I just wanted to go home. But there was a part of me that really hoped to find a nice, presentable dress. After all, I didn't want Liam to regret saying yes.

Suck it up, woman, was his pitiful reply. I could see him laughing at me.

I was fed up with these dresses. They were all beautiful, but I made them look plain. I looked down to the one I was currently wearing. A short, poufy pale orange dress with diamonds everywhere. I liked it, but I wasn't sure Tori would.

"Tori! I look like a peach, I don't want to come out!" I called out.

"Come out here, dummy!"

I grunted, then came out.

"Tada!" I exclaimed dully.

I was greeted by the same grimace."You were right about the peach part."

Surprising me, she sighed ,exasperated.

"Argh, why are there no it dresses!" I looked at her, and saw how tired she really was.

Yeah, sure, she'd been annoying during the day, but she really cared about me.

"If I may, I think I have the perfect dress for you Ms. Winter," said Susie, who'd been silently standing there all along.

"Please, help me," I pleaded, still in my peach dress. Susie disappeared for a couple of minutes, then came back with a white box.

"Try it on, what are you waiting for?" I saw curiosity and excitement written all over Tori's expression. I took the box and sprinted to the dressing room.

I opened the huge white box and inside, laid a perfectly folded midnight blue gown folded into a square. I drew it out of its box and shook it out, then it revealed its true glory as I took in 
beauty of it.

The way the sequenced fabric flowed was elegant. If words could describe perfection, this would be it. I was itching to try it on. Suddenly, I felt excited. I tried to picture it: me at the dance, wearing this amazing thing of beauty and blushing at Liam's surprised expression. I could already see the twinkle in his beautiful, blue eyes. This dress was the most faultless, wonderful thing I've ever seen.

I slipped it on, and to my surprise, it flawlessly fit me. I faced the mirror.

Who was the stranger in the mirror?

Her hair almost fell to her waist, and her chestnut eyes seemed to be glittering. Her skin seemed to be glowing.

And it hit me.

That girl was me.

The dress molded my torso beautifully, complimenting my shape. The gown draped past my toes, slightly drifting from my legs. It was the color of a beautiful midnight blue, a shade darker than Liam's eyes. Its strapless style revealed my collarbones wrapped in smooth, luring, skin. There were barely visible ruffles in the end of the dress, making me feel like a princess. In that dress, I wasn't "just" Lena, I was a beautiful girl.

I felt like something was missing. I looked in the box and saw my answer. Gorgeous pair of heels the same color as the dress were lying there. I searched for the size. I felt myself gasp. It was a size 6. I was a size 6. How could this be possible?

I'd have to ask Susie.

I put them on, and marveled at their comfort.

"Lena! I'm dying over here!" yelled overly excited Tori. I could hear her impatient feet stomping around.

I smiled a little, then opened the curtain. Susie grinned knowingly, and Tori took in a sharp breath.

"Y-You. Look. Bloody. Fit," muttered Tori, while encircling me, her eyes full of wonder.

"Thank you so much, Susie," I told my new life-saver. She nodded.

"How is it possible that everything perfectly fit me?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, dear. We had a new member in the staff, and she'd been working on this masterpiece, day and night," answered Susie, only making me even more confused.

"Who?"

As soon as I questioned that, it clicked in my head. I felt shock and gratitude all over me. Susie smiled, and nodded, confirming my unsaid revelation.

"I knew all that hard work would've never gone to waste. I was designing that dress for a special occasion, and there you are, looking so beautiful."

I turned to the owner of the voice, and saw their face shine with pride. I felt my eyes prickle with tears. I ran into her arms and muttered: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."  My mother cupped my face in her hands and smiled.

Being herself, Tori wrapped her arms around both of us. We laughed, and I felt my face get wet with tears.

"Family love! Oh my god, Lena! You're not supposed to cry! We still have 6 hours before the dance, how about we go to Starbucks and act all family-cute over there?" complained Tori.

I looked back and forth at Tori and my amazing mother.

For once in a while, I felt like a little bear that was sheltered and protected by the most extraordinary people in the world.