We squeeze me into the dress, and I love it, but I still don’t feel like it’s the one. However, it’s close, and I’m excited to show the others.
“Oh, wow! That’s amazing!” Nathan claps when I get back out to the waiting room, followed by various sounds of approval from everyone other than Chris, who is looking at it quizzically.
He steps up next to me. “You like it, but don’t love it, am I right?”
“It’s beautiful, but it’s missing something. I’m not sure what though. Ireallylike it, but I don’t feel like it’s the one,” I say honestly.
“Can I take a look at the dresses you have in the room? I have an idea,” he says, looking between me and Ashley.
“Of course, hon, that’s fine,” I nod, before looking to my shopping squad. “What do y’all think about this one?” I want their opinions even if I’m personally not sure about it.
“I like it, but I agree that something is missing. It’s not quite you,” my grandmother answers.
“I think you need something in the middle of those two, one that’s not too flashy, but not too plain,” Ellenagrees, Nathan nodding at her words.
“Well then, Chris, let’s see what your idea is then, hmm?” I take a moment to glance over at my sweet little girl, who is now lost in her tablet and snacks.
I follow Ashley and Chris to the dressing room. She helps me out of the dress I'm currently wearing while he goes through the ones hanging.
“Isla, I want you to turn around and close your eyes, okay? Ashley and I will guide you into it. I want you to keep them closed until you’re back out front. Can you trust me?” he asks, looking me in the eyes to make sure this won’t trigger me.
“Of course I trust you.” To show him I mean it, I turn my back to the mirror and close my eyes.
“Thank you for trusting me,” he whispers, patting my shoulder.
“So this is what I had in mind,” I hear him moving a dress, the fabric swishing around.
“Oh, that’s perfect! I should have thought of that one first.” Ashley sounds kind of disappointed it wasn’t her idea.
“I bet it’s hard dressing strangers. I know her and how she normally dresses, so don’t beat yourself up,” he assures her.
“Isla, we are lowering the dress in front of you so lift your leg.” I follow his instructions as they dress me. I can tell it's long sleeved, and it feels like the sleeves are lace. It’s fitted down to the knee, then seems to flare out. It feels surprisingly lightweight.
“Do you have something like this and like this?” Chris asks, I’m assuming he’s showing her something on his phone.
“I actually think I do, give me just a second. I’ll be right back.” I hear the door shut behind her as she goes to grab whatever Chris asked for.
“Thank you for being here, it means a lot,” I say quietly.
“No, thank you for allowing me to be here. I’ve never really had a best friend, other than Nathan. No one ever wanted to be friends with the gay kid. You know, normal southern bullshit,” he says softly.
“Fuck what other people think, they missed out. You make an amazing friend.” His reply is cut off with a knock at the door as I hear Ashley step back in.
“Are these what you have in mind?” she asks him.
“Oh, these are fantastic! Here, Isla, lift a foot.” He slides a shoe on each of my feet, then I feel him putting a veil or something on my head.
“Now,that’sperfect. Isla, I’m going to walk in front of you. Put your hands on my shoulder so I can guide you. Don’t open your eyes till I tell you to, alright?” Chris asks.
“Sounds good, just don’t let me fall,” I chuckle nervously.
“Never, Isla. Let’s go see if this is the dress, shall we?” He places my hands on his shoulders.
I blindly follow him back out to the stand, and I hear gasps from the three waiting. I’m pretty sure I hear my grandma sniffle.
“Oh, Isla, you look beautiful,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.
“Open your eyes, Isla,” Chris says softly from beside me.
