Crazy exs and ball gowns galore

It had been almost a week after we found out about the ball, and I still didn't have a dress. I didn't even have an idea of what I wanted to wear. Don't get me wrong, I loved shopping and spending other people's money, but I had yet to find someone who will go with me, and my schizophrenia had been getting worse.

I was sitting on a couch playing animal crossing on my phone, when I heard the front door burst open, followed by a high pitched, "ANTONIOOOOO".

A women came bustling in, a whirlwind of shopping bags and fabric. "Antonio! Where are you, I heard you kidnapped a girl!" She stopped, noticing me sitting there. "Oh Lord, who let the Victoria's Secret model in?"

I snorted and stood up to meet her. Before I could say anything, she pulled me into a hug, smothering me in her fur coat.

"You must be the new girl. I've heard so much about you!" She said cheerily, setting her shopping bags down on the nearby coffee table.

"I probably am. I can't say I've heard anything about you though."

"Those brats. ANTONIO! Get down here and tell me why I haven't been introduced to this lovely lady."

I laughed as Antonio stumbled downstairs looking very annoyed.

"Yeah, Antonio," I said mockingly. "Why don't I know who this is, maybe I'd have someone to talk to about all my girly things."

The woman gasped in mock horror. "You barbarians! This poor thing has no one to turn to. Never fear, I'm adopting you."

She engulfed me in another bone crushing hug.

Antonio sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingertips. "Eva, this is my sister, Rosella. Rosa, this is Eva."

"Nice to meet you, Eva. Sorry, but we'll have to talk later. I have a bit more shopping to get done."

Antonio gave her a look, motioning to the piles of shopping bags behind her. "Does all that not count?"

"Don't be silly, this is just a warm-up."

"Take me with you!" I exclaimed suddenly, and they both looked over at me, shocked.

"You want to go shopping with me?" Rosa squealed at the same time Antonio let out a disbelieved, "You want to go shopping with her?"

They glared at each other, and I pushed my way between them. "Well yeah, we have a ball in one week and I still don't have a dress."

"So?"

"It takes longer than a week to get everything ready. Anyways, aren't we supposed to leave for Paris in ten days? Also I still don't know where I am."

He sighed. "I thought you would have figured it out by now. We're in Italy, and it only takes two hours tops to fly in."

"Oh, that makes so much sense."

I heard Rosa, right in my ear. "OMG, you're going to Paris? I love it there! It's absolutely beautiful, you have to see the Eiffel tower, oh and the Louvre, but don't forget about the-"

I spaced out, my gaze falling right past her shoulder. A swarm of butterflies fluttered around, green and golden wings flapping. The light reflected off of them, creating a kaleidoscope of colors, some of which I wasn't even sure I'd seen before.

Rosa's voice faded in and out as I watched the butterflies, mesmerized by their soft hues.

"Earth to Eva," Someone said as they waved a hand in front of my face.

"Hm? Oh sorry. Yeah, you're right."

"Did you even hear what I said?" Rosa asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Eiffel Tower, Louvre, I won't miss them."

"Well, you're an odd one."

She humphed before grabbing my arm and dragging me out the door. It slammed shut behind us, leaving me with one last look of a contemplative Antonio and a swarm of golden butterflies.

I had such a big vocabulary.

...........

"RUN!" Rosa squeaked, yanking on my arm. I grabbed the shopping bags as she pulled me along.

We broke into a sprint, weaving our way in and out of the mall crowd and dashing through the food court.

"In there!" I pointed towards a perfume store, taking a sharp left. People gave us odd looks as we hid behind a rack of purses.

"I can't believe there were two of them!" Rosa panted, peaking around the shelf.

Apparently, the two guys were her exs and decided it would be a good time to confess their undying love for her. Problem was, they did it at the same time.

It was quite awkward.

"How many guys have you even dated for this to be a problem?"

"Well there was Kyle, and then Tyler, don't forget his brother, and of course Jason-"

"You're making me feel single." I cut in, scanning the area for the guys. "We're clear."

"What about Antonio?"

"What about him?"

"Well I don't know, I just think you guys would be really cute together. I ship it."

I snorted shaking my head. "Yeah, right. We barely even know each other." And I wouldn't want someone to fall in love with me, only to realize I'm slowly, but surely, losing my mind. I don't want to tell her that part though.

Thankfully, she let the topic drop.

She rolled her eyes. Suddenly, they widened into saucers. "It's been two hours, and we still don't have a dress for you!"

We rushed out of the store, ducking into the nearest dress shop. "So what kind of dress are you looking for?" Rosa asked, going over to sift through the racks of ball gowns.

"I want one with a big skirt, so people can't get close to me. I need lots of personal space."

She laughed, before gasping. "OMG! This one is so pretty, it would look amazing on you, I'm already jealous."

I looked over, doing a double take. It was a beautiful blueish-grey, with a dark vine detailing. There was a slit up one leg and a deep v neck.

"It's gorgeous. But the skirt isn't big enough."

"It has a train," she said, turning it around. "You can threaten to gut anyone who tries to step on it."

"Good plan."

Rosa went over to the nearest employee.

"We'll take this one."

"Great choice, Miss!" The woman said in an overly cheery voice. She went on about a warranty, but I tuned her out, only to hear her say an outrageous price.

I have very selective hearing.

"What? That's more than I make in months!" Don't get me wrong, I love my job as a personal trainer, but the pay isn't that good.

"Don't worry darling, I'll pay." Rosa pulled out her credit card and handed it over.

"But-"

"No buts. I don't know what to do with this money anyways, I've almost run out of charities to donate to."

"Fine. Do you know how many McNuggets you could buy with that though?"

"Ah, a girl after my own heart."

I laughed, but felt the smile slip off my face.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen at the ball. Good or bad, I'm not sure, but the apprehension was putting me on edge.

I just hoped I was wrong.

............

The dress:

............

Sorry for such a slow update!

Me spending an hour to find a ball gown that won't offended anyone. The people on wattpad are viscous when it comes to clothes.

As you may have noticed, I changed the name of my book and the cover because I wasn't really feeling the original one. The cover might change again, but probably not. Actually it might.

I just really like making covers.

-SB