chapter twenty seven
(not edited)

     "HEY, YOU SHOULD ASK your dad if you can skip school on Friday so you can drive up to the wedding with me and my family." I suggested as I watched May shuffle through the clothes on the rack. "We'll be there all day Friday, Saturday, and a little bit of Sunday." I smiled.

     "Alright." She picked up a dress off the rack to look at the whole thing before putting it in front of her body. "Does this look okay?"

     I tilted my head to the side and pursed my lips as I got a good look. It was a long black dress with a little slit on the side with a low neck. It was pretty, but I just didn't know if it was right for a wedding.

     "No? You don't like it?" May raised her eyebrows and shook her head slightly.

     "No, no, I like it." I smiled and reached my hands out to feel it. "It's just really... black."

     "And what's wrong with it being black?" May challenged.

     "Nothing!" I chuckled in my defense. "I just feel like you need something a little more colorful for a wedding." I shared my honest opinion and looked into her face. She was shaking her head as she clicked her tongue a few times.

     I watched May put the dress back on the rack and continued to search through all the dresses. I took a deep breath and walked over to a rack in a circle behind her and started to search there.

     "Does the wedding have some sort of theme?" May spoke behind me.

     I furrowed my eyebrows and moved past all the medium sized dressed. May is so little that she can fit in small and extra small.

     "Not that I know of." I coughed a little. "My mom told me that you should buy something you can dance in."

"Oh, God." May chuckled behind me. I turned around and smiled at her the same time she did the same thing. "I'm not going to dance."

"Uh - yeah you are." I replied as I watched her dimple appear on the right side her cheek. "I can't dance, but I'm going to, and you're coming with me." I turned my body around completely and slightly leaned on the rack behind me. I didn't know it was on wheels, so it moved and caused me to stumble on my feet as I slightly yelped.

May helped me up and started laughing.

"I don't know why you're going to dance in front of people when you can't even stand on your own two feet." She finished off the last of her chuckles.

"Oh, be quiet." I hushed and pursed my lips. I turned back around and continued to search the rack.

I skipped through a few tacky ones - the dresses with cheetah print or polka dots - and began to get to the gray section. One was too poofy, another was too long, and then I came upon a really pretty yet simple dress. I picked it up by the hanger and brought it out in front of me to get a good look at it. I could tell it was a tight dress with the way it was so slim on the sides. The sleeves stopped right when the arm started and it had a cute bold, black border on the sleeves and the neckline.

"How's this?" I smiled and turned around as I held it up for her.

May snapped her head around and narrowed her eyes at the piece of clothing. I smiled as I watched her entire face light up.

"I like it!" She smiled and walked over to grab the hanger out of my hands. "Ooh, I'm gonna go try this on." She hugged it to her chest and began to walk towards the dressing rooms. "Come with me, I need another opinion."

"Okay." I followed her to the dressing rooms and sat down in the comfy chair for people who are doing the same thing I am.

"Oh, wait." May walked away from the dressing room door. "I have to get someone. I'll be right back."

"Okay." I brushed my jeans off and crossed my left leg over my right and my arms across my chest. This chair was incredibly comfortable; I could definitely get used to this. I put my head back and closed my eyes for comfort, but as soon as I did so, my phone buzzed in my back pocket.

I shifted in my position and grabbed my phone out from my pocket and looked at the lock screen.

Julia Rink: Hey, whatcha doing today?

I sighed and debated whether or not I should answer. I could pretend I didn't see it if she asked me tomorrow at school, or I could just tell her I'm busy, or I could actually answer her question. I don't know why I don't really want to reply - I just want to be with May right now. I want to spend time with my girlfriend.

I cleared my throat and simply locked my phone before putting it back inside my pocket.

     May walked back inside the room with another girl this time - an employee with short black hair. I was almost jealous of her bangs and her little bob cut, but I knew that hairstyle could never work on me. Besides, I love the length of my hair.

     "Thank you." May smiled at the employee and stepped inside the room to try on the dress I picked out. She shut the door behind her.

     I took my phone back out of my pocket and began to scroll through Instagram. I was getting bored by just sitting in this super comfy chair - I needed to do something to keep me preoccupied.

     "Woah, okay, so it's a body-con dress." May said behind the closed door. I chuckled and looked up from my phone as she opened up the door. "What do you think? Wedding appropriate? I don't think this falls under the category of 'colorful', though." She played with the bottom of the dress and tugged it down.

I took the time to just look at her for the first few seconds. The dress fit so snug on her body - it was perfect. I couldn't even stop my eyes from trailing over to her chest. Oh, Jesus.

I stood up and walked over to her just so I could get close to her. I don't know why I'm doing this, but I guess I'm not really thinking straight when my girlfriend is standing in front of me in this dress. Confidently, I slipped my hands around her waist and settled with them at the small of her back and smiled.

"You look beautiful." I said without thinking. Her dimple appeared which caused my insides to go wild.

I slowly leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek before I started moving over to her lips. They were warm and inviting and just the slightest bit chapped. May broke the kiss and I pouted at her as she smirked.

"If that's the reaction for this dress, then I'm definitely buying it." May whispered as the smile remained glued to her face. "Also, there's a lady behind you who is staring at us." She leaned into my ear. I quickly snapped my head around and saw the woman standing there who awkwardly smiled at me. I smiled back before turning back to May as I bit my lip.

"Oh, God." I sighed and shook my head as I looked down at the floor. "That's embarrassing."

I felt May tilt my chin upwards before she placed her lips on mine again. It was a short kiss when we pulled away, but it still forced a blush to creep on to my cheeks.

"I'm not embarrassed." She smiled. "Because I'm with the prettiest girl ever and I want to show her off."

"Stop." I whispered and bit the inside of my cheek. "Go get changed." I tried to stop myself from smiling when I turned around, but May slapped my butt as soon as she got the opportunity. I gasped and turned around to scold her, but she was simply smiling.

"Sorry, it's just so damn cute." She shut the door behind her and left me on the other side; completely speechless.

I expected to see the same woman in the room when I turned back around, but she already disappeared. I sighed in relief and sat back down in the super comfy chair and pulled my phone out again. There was another text from Julia.

Julia Rink: Mason just texted me... What do I do???

I closed my eyes and shook my head before I reluctantly opened up the iMessages app.

Ashley James: It's up to you. Ur not dating Chad anymore so...

"Hey, Ashley," May started which caused me to look up from my phone even though she was still inside the dressing room, "what kind of dress are you wearing? Cause if we're both wearing body-con dresses, I'm not sure how we're going to handle that."

I laughed as I shook my head, "don't worry." I smiled and looked down at my phone again. "I'm wearing a more flow-y dress."

"Okay, cool." She said.

Julia Rink: hey hey hey, I know that. I just don't understand why Mason is coming to me.

I quickly rolled my eyes without realizing it and took a deep breath. Maybe because you're easy, I thought. Oh, God. I take that back.

Ashley James: I'm sorry but I don't really know what to do. You decide.

The dressing room door clicked open and May appeared. She was changed back into her shorts and tee-shirt. She still looked just as good as she did in the dress. I smiled and stood up as we both walked over to the cash register. I stood beside her as the short black-haired lady rung up May's dress.

"Have a nice day." The girl handed over May's shopping bag and smiled at the two of us.

"Thanks, you too." May replied and slipped her left hand into my right as we walked out of the store. Our intertwined hands made my heart feel warm somehow.

We walked outside and began down the street - I barely even realized we were holding hands in public. It was only a few minutes later when I saw a few people glance down at them is when I realized. I awkwardly gulped and looked over at May as we waited at a crosswalk. She looked back and smiled.

"You're really pretty, Ashley." She said out of nowhere. I was taken by surprise, but she continued, "I'm serious. I'm so glad I accidentally spilled milk on you. We were in the right place at the right time."

"You told me at Lulu's party that it wasn't a complete accident." I chuckled into a smirk.

"Did I really say that?" May's eyebrows raised. I nodded my head. "Oh, shit." She chuckled and looked across the street. "That's a drunk confession right there." She smiled at me.

We walked across the street together, our hands still intertwined, as my entire body felt incredibly happy.

Two months ago, I would've been incredibly embarrassed and denial about holding hands with a girl in public. But, today, I've realized just how happy I am with May Parker by my side.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Oh, my babies. Here's some fluff for you guys - you're welcome.

I can't believe that this book is almost over, but it is. I'm really sorry to say that, but I don't want to drag it on. All I can let you guys know is that the last chapter will be somewhere in the 30s. Ahhhh, I'm going to cry when it's over. Let's all gather our tissues.

Also, I would just like to say that the Seahawks are killing Arizona right now. I kind of feel bad for them but ya know, whatcha gonna do?

Soon (maybe next week, I'm not sure) I'm going to post the prologue to my other book. It's called "That Damn Dog of Hers" and yes, it has LGBT+ themes in it even though it's not the main topic like in this book.

When this book is over, I'll do the Question and Answer thing where you guys can ask any character from the book questions (or the author) and they'll answer. I'll also have you guys vote on a chapter that you want May's POV in! Then there will be an epilogue. And then I'll edit the entire book. So it's not completely over at the last chapter :-) But don't start voting for May's POV chapter or asking questions now - you can do that on the very last chapter.

Woot woot, I love you guys. See you next Sunday (hopefully - remember I have Summer Intensive auditions to go to and it may be hard to find a time to write).

Sorry for the long Author's Note! I hope I'm not annoying you.