“Have you gotten your dress for homecoming yet?” 

Homecoming was two weeks away. It was already the first week of October. The week falling homecoming marked the last football game. Alex's schedule would clear up, and it depended on Laurance from there on out for a while. 

The blonde shakes her head. “No, I haven't gotten around to it yet. Dad's been busy, and Cadi isn't home.” 

“Come with me this weekend,” Kandi tells her. “I haven't bought mine either yet. I was going Saturday either way, so you can join if you'd like. Just me, you, and my mom.” 

Alex teetered on the idea for a moment before teasing Kandi on how late she was regarding dress shopping. Kandi, much to her friend's surprise, was quite the procrastinator on a daily basis. She eventually caved in, quickly sending a text to the family group chat of her new plans. 

“Have you found a date yet?” 

“You ask a lot of questions,” Alex says before giving a soft sigh. “But no. No date. What's wrong with going single? We'd all just end up in a group anyway.” 

“Because I have a date, so that means you should get a date.”

The two females stare at each other for a moment. Alex was skeptical. It wasn't because she didn't think Kandi could get a date. It was who occupied that title that made her skeptical. 

She wasn't going with Laurance. Laurance would've told Alex that a while ago. She couldn't see Kandi peeking interest in anyone in their grade, or anyone that was in a lower grade and their age. Alex noticed that Kandi seemed to fawn over guys older than her, so that left the senior class. 

“Don't tell me it's Dante,” she says, coming to the conclusion it had to be him. She wouldn't go to someone who had already graduated and dealt with that hassle. 

“There's nothing wrong with Dante.”

Alex purses her lips together as a response. Dante's reputation wasn't a favorable one amongst the female sex. She was told by multiple females that he had been cheating on two girls at the same time two years ago. While he seemed rather tame in that aspect in the current moment, but very much so a flirt, she was a little wary. 

“You and I have very different taste in men.” 

Kandi nods her head. Compared to Kandi's interest in men, Alex favored who Kandi considered to be the “safer” type. Basically every show or book that the females had seen or read, they found an interest in a different man. Kandi called Alex's interests safe while she was more reckless. Alex favored the boys that would have her home by her curfew while Kandi desired the ones who blatantly ignored the word.

“Anyway, you should find a date. I know one of my brothers would like to go with you.” 

“Well it's definitely not Zane,” Alex says, chuckling. “I'm not against the idea of a date. I'm just traditional in that aspect. I'm not the one to do the asking. We're going to be late to class. C'mon, let's go.” 

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

It was already Saturday, and Alex found herself knee deep in fabric. Vylad had been the one to ask her to the dance the very next day. Being good friends already, she didn't see the harm in accepting. She still would've leeched onto him regarding if they went together or not. 

Colors seeped on every corner of her stall. Some dresses were shedding glitter, causing a light dusting to coat the floor. She simply wanted one that didn't leave a trail as she walked. A can of hairspray was considered. 

Alex finally thought she found one. She liked the midnight blue color. And despite being incredibly pasty, it worked with her skin tone. 

Zianna had been waiting patiently for both females from the other side of the small room. She enjoyed shopping as much as her daughter, and seeing Kandi’s eyes light up when she found her dress always made it worth it. 

Alex looked in the mirror one last time. She liked how fitting it was to her body, but it didn't reveal everything to the world. There was glitter, but Cadenza knew a trick or two to fix that. The dress had a square neckline and slightly puffed out tulle sleeves that tightened at her wrists. Despite never owning something like this, Alex couldn't help but want it. 

She could hear the familiar click of the door next to her opening. Kandi’s soft footsteps were leaving the area, no doubt in another dress to show her mom. 

Alex had followed in her steps to see Kandi in a dark green. “You look nice,” she compliments, becoming unable to decipher between the multiple dresses Kandi had already tried on. All tight, of course. 

“I don't know how I feel about this one,” Kandi groans, turning towards the blonde. “I like that one. It's better than the white you had before.” 

Alex nods, smiling down at the dress. She ignored the trail of glitter that lingered behind her. At least she'd be able to find her way back to her changing room. 

“I like it too. I think I'll get it.” There were larger mirrors out here too. Zianna smiled softly at the two girls as she sat nearby. Alex glanced in the mirror with a bit of doubt. “Can I pull it off? It looks like something Cadenza would wear.” 

“Are you worrying about your father?” 

“And Laurance? They see me as a baby,” Alex says. “I don't look like I'm overcompensating for something do I?” 

Zianna could hear the conversation from her spot a few feet away. “I think you look lovely. It's very fitting for a young lady.” 

Alex offers her a timid smile. If Zianna was content with the dress, it should've been fine. All else fails, she hides it in Cadenza’s closet. 

“You can keep it at my house if you want and get ready with me. We're going to the same place anyway.” 

“No, I'm fine. Cadi will be home that weekend anyway, and she'll want to help.” Alex touches her collarbone gently, imagining silver over gold adorned with the dress. It'd be like the night sky and the stars. “I'm going to change back before I change my mind. I really like this one. Help Vylad find a matching tie for me?”