"Let's see... what dress am I going to wear tomorrow?" Tia mused, rifling through the clothes hanging in her wardrobe. She inspected them one by one, desperate to find the perfect fit.
"This one is too short, this is too tight, and this is too big—why did I even buy this in the first place? I can't find the perfect dress, Clara!"
Clara looked up from her phone and strolled toward Tia. "All your clothes are beautiful, just pick one. What about this?" Clara pulled out a purple dress, but Tia immediately snatched it from her hand.
"I don't like it. It doesn't match the occasion," Tia said flatly.
"So what's the plan? You can't exactly go to the ball without a dress."
Tia sighed heavily. "That means I have to hit a boutique."
"There's absolutely no need for that. You're just wasting money because I don't see a single thing wrong with these gowns."
Tia sank onto her bed in frustration. "You don't understand, Clara. I know the dresses are fine, but this is the first time I'm attending a campus ball with a date. I've always gone alone, and I want to mark this change with a stunning dress."
"I suppose you're right. But do you actually have the budget for a new one?"
"Yes, I have enough." Tia grabbed her purse from the drawer. "Aren't you getting a new dress too?"
"Nope. I already have a gorgeous one that matches my heels perfectly."
"Hmm, let me see it. I'll be the judge of that."
Clara pulled a pink gown from the wardrobe. Its lovely silhouette made Tia's jaw drop instantly.
"What?" Tia gasped. "You had a gown this beautiful and you never showed it to me?"
Clara chuckled. "I was waiting for the right moment. Isn't it lovely?"
"It's more than lovely. You really have an eye for style. I wish I was more like you; I'd pick winners every time."
Clara rolled her eyes playfully. "Tia, for the last time, your clothes are fine."
Tia took the gown from Clara, running her fingers gently over the fabric. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. The kind of dress that speaks for you and turns heads the moment you walk in."
"Tia, stop exaggerating. It's not that serious."
"I just pray I find something like this at the boutique..." Tia glanced at her alarm clock. "I should hurry before all the good gowns are gone!" She dashed toward the door.
"Okay, just make sure you buy a good one!"
"I will!" Tia called back, closing the door firmly behind her.
Tia chose a boutique different from her usual spot, sensing her old haunt wouldn't have the "wow factor" she craved. A polite clerk welcomed her, and after Tia explained her vision, the lady led her toward the premium racks.
"I have a very special gown in mind. I believe you'll love it," the clerk said as they walked.
En route, Tia caught a glimpse of a green dress on a hanger. She paused. She remembered that Michael had hated the color, so she'd avoided green entirely in her past life. Now that no one was around to dictate her choices, the color felt like a badge of freedom. Though the design was a bit unconventional—bordering on "funny"—she remembered Clara's advice: Who cares what the students say?
"I think I'll take this one," Tia said. The clerk walked back, eyeing the dress.
"You want this one?" she asked, an eyebrow arched in surprise.
"Yes. I love the color."
"I was going to show you something else, but if this speaks to you, we don't need to look further."
Tia tried it on and surveyed herself in the mirror. "It's... not that bad." She wasn't entirely convinced, but she felt that looking "different" would make her feel special.
Suddenly, Stella emerged from a nearby dressing room. Seeing Tia, she immediately ducked behind a rack of clothes. What is she doing here? Stella hissed under her breath. Tia heard the whisper and spun around, causing Stella to crouch lower.
"Is someone there?" Tia asked. When no one replied, she shrugged and went back to scanning her reflection.
Stella watched through a gap in the clothes, careful to remain hidden. So that's what she's wearing, she smirked. It would be so sweet if I wore the same dress and told everyone she copied me. She looked at the dress she had originally picked. "I guess I won't be needing you." She tossed it onto a chair.
Tia changed back into her street clothes and headed to the cashier. Stella waited until she thought Tia had left for good before springing into action.
"Can I have the same dress that girl just bought?" Stella asked another employee. The clerk handed her an exact replica, and Stella dashed into the fitting room. "Is it just me, or does this look weird?" she muttered to the mirror. "If I weren't trying to make her look like a total copycat, I'd never wear this. It's hideous." She made a face of disgust. "Whatever. It's just for one night."
Tia hadn't actually left yet. Realizing she'd lost an earring, she asked the cashier to hold her bag while she retraced her steps. She scanned the floor meticulously. As she approached the mirror where she'd just been standing, she saw someone else wearing the exact same green dress.
Wow, I guess it's a popular style, she thought, smiling. She moved to strike up a conversation, but as the woman turned to check the back of the dress, Tia froze. It was Stella.
She wants to match me? No way. I'm not playing that game. Tia backed away quickly and slipped out of the boutique without her earring.
She waited outside until she saw Stella board a cab and disappear. Only then did Tia return to the shop. She tracked down the first clerk. "Actually, can you show me that other dress you mentioned before?"
"You... don't want the green one anymore?"
"I changed my mind. I want something truly unique. You know the one, right?"
The clerk nodded and led her to a mannequin. "Here it is," she said, gesturing to a breathtaking pink gown. "Do you like it?"
"Do I like it? I love it!" Tia's eyes lit up. She had never seen anything so stunning; it even outshone Clara's dress. Plus, she loved the idea of matching her roommate's color palette.
Relieved that she could afford it, Tia paid immediately to ensure no one else could snatch it away. "Campus ball, here I come," she whispered excitedly, finally leaving the boutique for good.