58 - I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty (P1)

"Children!"

"Ugh, what now?" Alison's sullen whimper was muffled as she covered her face with her hands.

Jason shook his head miserably, giving her a semi-sympathetic pat on her knee. She turned his head just in time to catch their mother coming down the stairs, elegant as ever, wearing her extreme mega-watt smile. Alison was actually a little creeped out by how the woman's face seemed permanently stuck like that, with the shape of a smile, no wrinkle in sight, and not just because of those anti-aging creams that she poured on her skin daily.

Alison shifted to snuggle into the couch, opposite side of Jason, doing her best at pretending to be asleep. Jason snorted at the ridiculous sight, but quickly rearranged his features to seem impassive as their mother appeared in the doorway of the living room.

"Oh, did Alison fall asleep? It's six in the afternoon," Jessica shook her head disapprovingly. "Jason, do me a favor and wake up your sister, I have an announcement."

Jason rolled his eyes as he caught sight of the diamond earrings their mother slipped on as she headed towards the kitchen, fetching herself a glass of water. He knew she was supposed to leave for dinner with a colleague soon, and he didn't approve of the way she over-dressed for it. He wouldn't put it past her to cheat, and he knew that that would majorly hurt Alison. He really was trying to protect his sister more these days, just like he had promised Emily. That was why, even though he would soon be moving into a Philly apartment with Cece as she opened her own boutique there with fresh ideas that she'd gotten from her stay in Paris, he would still like to be around as much as possible for his little sister.

He nudged Alison's foot with his own, "Come on, let's hear what she has planned this time. Trust me, I think it's better to just get it over with."

Alison cracked open one eye to scrutinize him, but her timing was way off, because right at that moment, Jessica walked into the living room, diamond earrings on and a glass of water in her hand. Their mother took her very last sip before setting the empty glass down on the coffee table.

"Excellent, Alison, you're awake," Jessica beamed and Alison keened softly at being caught. The woman clapped her hands, saying in a sing-song voice, "Up, up, up! I come bearing news!"

Alison sat up and fixed her hair, refraining from rolling her eyes. Jason muted the movie playing on the television and turned to his mom questioningly.

"First, I'm sure you've already heard, but I've been elected president of the debutantes!"

Jason and Alison stared at her blankly. The silence stilled awkwardly in the air, but Jessica seemed to not notice as she was still one smile away from exploding into a full-on ray of sunshine. Alison and Jason shared a bored glance before the blonde finally spoke up.

"Yay."

"Yeah, congrats," Jason added in the same unenthusiastic tone.

Jessica clapped her hands excitedly, shrieking gleefully as she placed a delighted hand over her chest. "I know, I know. I was very pleased with the results as well."

"Hmm."

"Great."

Jessica was over the moon as Alison and Jason blinked at her some more. The only movement that transpired between the two was when Jason passed the popcorn bowl in his lap over to his sister, his eyes still lazily fixed on the overzealous woman as if she was a trashy reality tv show.

"Well!" Jessica stepped closer to them, as her eyes held pure, oblivious joy, and she stood in contrast to her children's expressionless faces. "Since I'm now the president of my debutante group, they are expecting me to make another event to raise money. It's been nearly six weeks since the last one, and that will not stand. So, I have spoken to some of my friends, and we've agreed to use the organizing budget on an event that will establish my place as a strong leader."

"Which is...?" Jason spoke, not interested in the slightest as his eyes moved back to the movie. He couldn't hear it, but he could still read the subtitles. He cursed inwardly as he caught sight of the ending of his favorite scene, annoyed for missing it while his mother chatted on.

Jessica looked between them for a few moments as if trying to build up the excitement. Her smile widened and she intertwined her fingers and put them up to her chest in a show of radiance. "A fashion show!"

"Amazi - wait, what? A fashion show?" Alison actually perked up, shifting to a sitting position.

"Yes, Alis - ahh!" Jessica yelped as Pepe came treading in happily, wagging his little tail. As Alison smiled at the creature and slapped the top of her thighs lightly to get his attention, Jason watched as their mother took a shuttering breath and counted to ten in her head before she closed her eyes and opened them again, her wide smile reappearing.

The only way Alison got to keep the puppy was because Jessica had felt somewhat guilty for not being there on the day of her birthday. Besides, when Alison had told her that Pepe was a present from Emily, Jessica had been overjoyed at the mere mention of the brunette and had allowed Alison to have him. Jason was suspicious that their mother would've accepted an atomic bomb from Emily with a grateful smile and an invitation to dinner.

The puppy was now in Alison's lap as Jason scooted closer to pat his head and rub his belly. "So, what were you saying about this fashion show?" he asked.

Jessica watched cautiously as Alison tsked her tongue at Pepe disapprovingly when he tried to snag some of the popcorn from the nearby bowl and then proceeded to stir him away. "Well," she cleared her throat uncomfortably, directing her gaze back to her son, "the fashion show will be held at the end of this week. It is Sunday, and I would very much like you both to stay focused until the event, especially you, Alison, since we have plenty of work to be done."

"Why especially me?" Alison asked, frowning in confusion.

"Well, because you're the model, of course. You and your friends, that is."

Alison slapped the back of Jason's head when he burst out laughing in pure amusement, but he didn't notice in the slightest. He was off in his own little world as he laughed his heart out at Alison's reaction. He was so glad he didn't have to do this task for his mother, but the fact that Alison had to play dress-up with the woman for the next six days, had him rolling on the floor.

"Why are you laughing, dear?" Jessica was utterly perplexed.

He waved his hand dismissingly as he continued on laughing. Alison grabbed a throw pillow and stuck it to his face in order to muffle his laughter. She was pleased when it worked.

"Do you think you could convince your friends to participate, sweetie?" Jessica asked hopefully.

Alison was a bit thrilled herself by the idea of walking down the runway. The vision of modeling dresses for her friends - specifically her girlfriend - sounded surprisingly fun, and she knew her mother was going to go all out with the production. She was sure her friends would love the idea, but she was a little skeptical about Emily. Her girlfriend was shy, that was for sure. But despite that, she decidedly took on the challenge.

"I'll see what I can do."

XXXXX

The ticking of the medium-sized cuckoo clock that Emily has had in her room ever since she was three years old registered somewhere in her ears as she sat on her bed, deeply thinking. She was still staring in befuddlement at her phone minutes after the final decision had been made about the fashion show.

Why had she agreed to do this again?

Oh, right. Because she loved Alison and Alison loved the idea of being a part of a fashion show.

The blonde had informed them of the news her mother told her. Jessica had chosen to do women's clothes only, so the guys of their group were merely going to come to watch their girlfriends, but Alison had recruited Emily, Hanna - who was the most ecstatic of all - Aria, Spencer and even Mona for the job.

As opposed to popular opinion about her, Emily actually thought the idea of being in a fashion show was pretty brilliant, considering she was convinced that she would never have an opportunity to do something like that again. However, it was the fear of tripping in front of hundreds of people and embarrassing herself that scared her.

Her palms started sweating as she pictured everything that could go wrong and made a mental list in her head. Her heel could break in the middle of the runway; she could make an embarrassing face and it would be captured by the many cameras at the event forever; she could accidentally run into any of her friends while walking... So many things could go so horribly wrong and she didn't know how she'd had the guts to sacrifice all of that per Alison's request.

And don't get her started on everything that could go wrong during the week before the actual event! She and Alison could get into some sort of fight about some fashion opinion that she didn't even actually have; Hanna could suddenly go extremely bossy when it came to clothes; she could-

"Sweetheart, are you getting ready for bed?" Pam's voice drifted into the room as the woman knocked twice on the open door to get Emily's attention.

Emily slowly turned to her, her gaze completely unfocused as she stared confusedly at her mother. Pam's eyebrow rose to her hairline at her daughter's strange behavior, but she entered the room nevertheless.

She sat down on the bed, noticing Emily's expression; slightly gaped mouth, remote eyes and eyebrows drawn lightly together. "Emily, it's a school night, you better get to sleep," she reminded her. "Emily?" she snapped her fingers in worrisome in front of Emily's face, cutting the girl from the daze she had drifted into.

"Mom..." Emily mumbled, her lips barely moving as her eyes met Pam's.

"What's the matter, sweetie?"

Emily sighed profoundly as realization dawned once again. "I'm going to be a part of the fashion show Mrs. DiLaurentis is organizing."

A few moments passed before Emily's eyes widened at the squeal of joy her mother released. Suddenly she was being enveloped in a gigantic hug, which was, of course, one-sided, since her arms stayed limply by her sides from the shock.

"This is going to be so much fun! Oh, I'm going to call your father and tell him the big news, he'll be thrilled. Honey, you're going to look so beautiful! We could go shopping together, and I could help you with your outfits..."

Pam was talking a million miles per minute, all of her comments regarding the fashion show throwing Emily's preparation for sleep completely out of the window, as her daughter just stared in dreadful shock at the same old watch on her wall. She counted almost twenty minutes until her insane mother finally started to show signs of slowing down. Pam gladly talked her ear off until she lay down to sleep.

Emily had to admit, through the jumble of words Pam spewed her way, she made out enough to realize this was the most excited she had seen her mother in years. It was actually kind of joyful for her to watch. She figured that if her mother was so invested in this whole thing, maybe she would actually have a good time doing this as Alison had assured her.

And with that line of thought exactly, she drifted off dizzily just as her mother shut the lights.

XXXXX

The boy scratched the back of his neck hesitantly as he stared at the babydoll dresses and evening gowns in the display window on the right of the shop door, then switched his eyes over to the mannequins dressed in suits and tuxedos on the other side. The clothing store was split into two halves, the right side for the women and the left side for the men.

He looked around the busy Philadelphia street as people passed by him fleetingly, sending nothing but one-second glances his way. When he was sure he couldn't see anyone he recognized, he quickly entered through the door on the right before he could change his mind.

Toby knew Emily wasn't just his best friend; he was her... well, her bro. Sure, Caleb and Ezra were practically his blood brothers, but there was something different about his connection with Emily. They just really clicked.

But don't get him wrong. That didn't mean he was exactly elated to be spending the afternoon helping her and her mother with dress shopping for Mrs. DiLaurentis' fashion show.

Alison would be meeting them in the store with her own mother, and very thankfully Spencer as well, who Alison had dragged along the same way Emily did with him. He liked to think Emily brought him along because she valued his honest opinion, but really, he knew it was so he could help with the heavy bags. And because he was her bro. He really liked the fact that they defined their relationship like that. He was already musing about getting matching bracelets when Emily practically ran to him, complaining about how her mother was driving her crazy. He couldn't really blame her. He looked up to Pam and everything, but the whole ride over was excruciating with the woman talking nonstop. Toby could only wince as he imagined what Emily had to sit through at home.

Two hours in, and he was very much contemplating using the matching scarf Emily had gotten for her periwinkle blue beaded, long, open-back dress to choke himself. And yes, he actually remembered the entire name of the dress better than he remembered the material for most of his tests. And he was a pretty good student, so that meant a lot.

Spencer was, as a matter of fact, very into the winter-spring theme of the show and was hustling and bustling around with Jessica, Pam and Alison, discussing different options of dresses that would "end the show with a bang", as Jessica had so nicely put it.

Emily sighed exhaustedly as she came to plop next to him on the small bench just outside the dressing room, still in one of her many dress options. She hastily shrieked when she discovered that she sat straight on a pair of black heels that hurt her feet just by looking at them, getting Toby to chuckle. She was pretty sure she'd get shunned for even touching those shoes, so she quickly put them down on the floor and then sat down, pushing Toby's shoulder to get him to stop laughing.

"It's only day two, you know? I have to do this all week," she groaned as she leaned forward, one elbow on her knee and face in her hand.

Toby mustered up a tired, yet sympathetic smile. "Don't worry, Em. The result's going to come out great." He eyed his girlfriend - who was still in her own dress option since she was one of the models, greatly invested in the debate of whether they should be using the African Violet-colored strapless dress in the winter category or the spring category of the show - and smiled softly. "Really great," he uttered.

Emily caught his line of sight and couldn't help but grin slightly herself, and then smiled from ear-to-ear when Alison took her turn to inject her own opinion in the discussion, talking heatedly as she displayed her argument.

She broke out of her daze when the women started treading apart, seemingly reaching a verdict in the matter. Emily used all her power to stand on both her feet and waddle back towards the dressing room, going to try on the next dress before anybody told her to. She turned back, however, only to chuckle and add, "You might wanna lift your jaw off of the floor, Toby. I mean, I know it's a closed shop but I don't know what insects could crawl up in there while you gawk at your girlfriend."

When she turned back to the dressing room, pleased with herself, she heard Toby retort with a snort, "I could say the exact same for you, Em." She could only huff in annoyance in response and trudge away, because she knew he was right.

XXXXX

On Friday night, day four of the preparations for the fashion show, with the event merely three days away, Emily was gleefully pacing around the kitchen at Toby, Ezra and Caleb's apartment, fetching soda cans from the fridge as Caleb leaned against the counter across from her, ordering pizzas on the phone and rolling his eyes playfully at Emily's enthusiasm.

Yes, it was true- the brunette was finally free for the day.

Ever since she had found out that Hanna, Aria, and Mona still needed to go to their fittings for their dresses and formal gowns, and that Spencer and Alison had demanded to come with, Emily had already been typing away to Toby about plans for the evening with Ezra and Caleb. Alison had pouted a great deal and told her she would need her there to keep her sane, but Emily had merely pouted back, saying she was tired and just wanted to have a quiet night in without the excited rambles of her mother, who happened to also tag along this very day, even with Emily not present. Alison had caved, but still informed Emily that she would miss her, and Emily had smiled bashfully and softly kissed the pout out of Alison's lips.

She and boys had fought back and forth over plans for the night. Ezra and Caleb had demanded to go bowling; Ezra was craving some friendly competition with his friends, and Caleb had suggested it because he really liked the huge arcade in the place, where they had so many brand new video games that he could play without having to actually buy them. But Emily and Toby - who had been on their feet constantly these past few days, maneuvering between assisting their girlfriends with choosing their dresses, and for Emily, having to try on clothes herself - had adamantly put their foot down and said they wanted to have a movie marathon or anything that was inside. Naturally, they eventually settled for having a tournament of video games in the boys' apartment, and every time someone won, they'd get to choose the movie they all watched next.

They had started their plans early, knowing it would take them a great deal of time if they wanted to do as much as they could. After all, most movies were around an hour and a half each. That was why they had gotten straight home from school and quickly fired up the consoles, and by seven o'clock, they were all giddy like little kids in the candy store. Yet, they were equally starving as they waited for the pizza to arrive and continued on in their own little world, currently having the boys cheer Emily on as she proceeded to navigate her way through the 'Call of Duty' universe with her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration.

She wasn't surprised when she later got a frantic phone call from Aria mid-bite, a little after eight. "Your girlfriend is killing me!" Aria screeched in frustration through the phone, so much so that Emily actually needed to pull the device away from her ear for a moment as she grimaced. She sighed out an apology to the girl, handing the phone over to Ezra who only mildly whined when Emily's request broke his killing strike, silently cursing the noob who didn't seem to move in front of his character on the screen, before he took the device and went into the other room to say reassuring things that would hopefully calm Aria down.

Emily knew her own girlfriend was probably bossing everyone around over there, Jessica and her own mother included, and she silently smiled at the thought of the blonde standing there with her hands on her hips as she called out instructions, radiating the superior power that matched a king's and the grace that matched a queen's. And Yes, Emily could safely say she was turned on.

Alison's need for control was by far Emily's greatest aphrodisiac.

She grinned to herself a few minutes later when her phone rang with Alison's caller ID and picture on the screen, or as her girlfriend had humbly named herself in Emily's phone: 'My Beautiful, Exquisite, Irreplaceable Girlfriend Who I Love' - that got some people to stare at her whenever Alison would call in public - and picked up the call.

"Emily, thank God! They are driving me insane!"

XXXXX

By day five of the preparations, the girls were off at the venue where the fashion show was bound to take place the next day. The white runway was set up, stretched out into the middle of the room and surrounded by many chairs with reserved signs on them.

The girls had been requested to come over an hour prior to the dress rehearsal in order to get their makeup and hairstyles done, but since they were only six girls and each girl received her own makeup and hair team (Jessica went all out, as promised), it only took them short of a half-hour to get ready. They stood in their first dresses, careful not to mess up their hair or makeup as they waited to begin.

Emily was the only one who was sitting fearfully on the couch in front of the changing partition, gawking at the shoe in her hand.

Alison very soon noticed that Emily wasn't behind her like she was a few minutes ago, so she excused herself and went on a search. She found the brunette in the room next door, and her girlfriend looked so intently focused on staring at the high heeled shoe in her hand, that the level of concentration almost freaked Alison out.

She stepped foot into the room falteringly, trying to appear nonchalant. "Emily? What are you doing, we're all in the other room."

Emily made a noise of acknowledgment, although her gaze remained transfixed on the heel at hand. That's when Alison's eyebrow rose, and her thoughts varied from suspicion at the girl's behavior to dismay at how amazing Emily appeared with a smokey-eye look.

"Em? Emily, are you alrig-"

"I can't walk in high heels," Emily blurted out quickly, as if it wasn't a sentence, more similar to word vomit. Alison watched, stunned, as Emily's face scrunched into an adorable pout, "I'm gonna trip and fall on my butt."

Alison bit her lip to refrain from chuckling - Emily looked so seriously pained as she stared almost horrified at the footwear - but somehow managed a silent laugh. "What?" she asked for clarification.

"I can't walk in these," Emily stressed as she unnecessarily pointed at the shoe, finally meeting her girlfriend's amused eyes before dropping down again as she sighed sadly.

Alison regarded her for a moment further before walking farther into the room and holding out her hand for her girlfriend to take. "Come on," she said softly.

Emily's eyes only fluttered to hers for a second before she promptly lamented, and reached out to take the blonde's hand, standing up.

"To where?" she grumbled woefully.

Instead of answering, Alison simply stood on her toes in order to place a kiss on Emily's forehead with a small grin, "Put them on."

"Do you find me falling down amusing?" Emily asked, bewildered.

Alison rolled her eyes playfully, "No, I'm going to show you how to walk in these, genius."

"Oh, so not only do you make fun of me for not being able to walk in heels, but now I'm also stupid?"

Alison opened her mouth in protest only to hear Emily releasing a lively chuckle. The blonde had to smile immediately, loving their silly, good-natured banter.

"Will you just put these on? God," Alison muttered in fake exasperation, rolling her eyes fondly, not being able to wipe the dopey grin off of her face.

"Alright, alright," Emily rolled her eyes right back, attitude not lacking, which made Alison beam wider. Emily neatly placed the footwear on, then tried to take a step, only to stumble forward, leaving Alison to catch her by her forearms.

The blonde uttered a silenced, "Woah there," as she caught Emily, then stabilized her with a small chuckle.

"It's really not that hard once you get the hang of it, babe," Alison assured, trying not to get sidetracked by Emily's tan, never-ending legs in those shoes. She got behind the brunette, placing her hands on Emily's hips. Emily shivered at the contact as she tried to focus on what Alison was going on about.

"... The best thing to do is to lean slightly back when you're walking; so it would feel more natural."

Emily did what she was told, but both she and Alison yelped when she leaned too far back and almost took a tumble that would cause her backside to collide with the floor. Alison grabbed her at the very last second, using all her might to help the brunette up to her previous position. Once Emily was good on her feet again, breathing hard, she mumbled a quick yet sincere thank you to the blonde, who only nodded, placing her hands securely once again on her girlfriend's hips.

"Okay," Alison sighed gently, "not so far back."

Emily nodded miserably. She leaned back only about half of what she did the first time, then waited for further instruction.

"Always put your heel down before your toes," Alison said sternly. "Oh, and always picture like you're walking in a straight line."

"I need to remember all of that just for walking in some shoes?" Emily asked in exasperation.

Alison gaped at her in astonishment, "Em, these aren't some shoes, they're the new Christian Louboutins!"

"Who?"

Outside the room, Hanna was just walking by the open door on her way to get one - or some - of the free potato chip bags they handed out in the entrance, when she heard the two girlfriends talking. Her eyes widened in dismay as she heard Emily's fashion-ignorant comment.

Emily blanched when Hanna abruptly entered the room, smacked her upside on the head, then promptly left.

"Ow!" Emily rubbed her head, pouting. Luckily, Hanna hadn't wrecked her hairdo, knowing she'd be waterboarded by Mrs. DiLaurentis herself if she did.

Alison only stared at the door Hanna disappeared from, muttering, "How the hell is Hanna always there?"

Ten minutes later, Emily was starting to understand and use some of the tips Alison was spouting left and right for her, as the blonde continued to hold Emily from the back, still not quite ready to allow the brunette to walk alone.

"No, Emily, I told you to take smaller steps!"

Emily huffed for the one-hundredth time, pulling a scowling face as she purposely took two-inch steps.

Alison rolled her eyes, laughing, "Well, not that small."

Emily whimpered, "I don't wanna do this anymore."

Alison let go of her hips, causing Emily to come to a halt in the middle of the room.

"Don't stop now," Alison pleaded gently. She moved to stand at the front of the room, facing Emily. Opening her arms, she signaled Emily over, "Just try to walk over to me."

Emily visibly panicked, "But-But what if I fall on my butt?"

Alison smirked smugly, "Then I'll kiss it better."

Emily frowned in confusion, "You'll kiss it -oh."

Alison hummed in satisfaction at her innuendo, winking when Emily's blushing face turned to look at her in surprise.

"Now, come on. We don't have much time."

Emily nodded, and Alison found her determination both endearing and absolutely adorable. And the way Emily always stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth when she was focused... the blonde just wanted to melt.

So when Emily took small steps, used the pieces of advice Alison had given her, and eventually reached her girlfriend's safe arms, beaming in self-pride, Alison couldn't help but kiss her fully on the lips.

Emily excelled at the dress rehearsal, and by the time they were done and walking out of the place, Emily was sauntering gracefully to her car as Hanna ran by her side to catch up, apologizing for hitting her before, and Alison practically drooled the whole way to the Audi over her girlfriend being so deliciously confident, internally wishing Emily had fallen so would've gotten to 'kiss it better'.