Girl Talk: Rose

Penny and I are back at the downtown boutique, searching for dresses to wear to the play.

She groans. "I can't get over how sweet Ben is." She shoves some dresses down the rack. The hangers screech.

"I'm so lucky." I sing the words, twirling through the isle like a ballerina.

"I can see what drew him to you."

I fall down laughing, with the room spinning around me.

"We have to rewatch Pride and Prejudice before we go."

My birthday is this weekend, and so far everyone's still coming except for Heather of course. I saw her in the halls one day and she seemed happy. She gave me a wave as we passed each other by.

"I haven't seen it once," I say, admittedly.

"What? We're watching it tonight!"

When she hits a high note like that, I know there's no point in arguing.

"I got accepted into our top pick by the way. Now, either you need to get accepted into the first pick, or I need to get accepted into the second."

"I applied to some more," I say. "I'm going for photography."

She stops searching the rack, beaming at the good news. "Really? What made you change your mind?"

"My grandma, Ben's mom, this lady with green hair."

She seems confused, but still nods. "Well, okay! I'm just glad that someone talked some sense into you."

A silver dress on the back rack catches my eye. "Penny." I shake her shoulder. "That is so you."

I grab it, holding it to her petite frame. "They even knew you'd be short."

Too consumed to pay me any mind, she flags down the owner's granddaughter. Soon, she steps out of the dressing room in the strapless dress. The shimmering silver cloth hugs her curves. A slit runs up her left leg.

She eyes herself in the mirror. "I'm almost sad that I have to take it off." When she changes, she comes out hugging the dress like someone might snatch it.

"I was losing hope, but look what I found." I show her a beautiful sparkling gold dress. If not for the one strap and belt like design around the waist, it would look like her's in a different color. It even has a slit on the same side, but this one is dangerously high.

"Ahhh! We're twins! Go try it on!"

She pushes me into the changing room, and I struggle to get the dress on. It's a snug fit, exposing every curve that I try my best to hide. It's stunning no doubt, but so unlike me. Her jaw drops when I pull back the curtain.

"Ben has no idea how lucky he is. It'll be hard for him to keep his hands to himself."

"He'll have to. You know I'm still waiting for marriage."

She smiles. "That's good, Rose."

"Well, you still are too, right?"

She shrugs.

"Penny!"

She laughs. "I'm kidding, lighten up. Any guy who wants me will have to earn me."

"Annndd my approval."

She shakes her head, walking passed. "You're a fool. Let's go."

"Hey, wait up! I'm serious!"