Page 42 of Petals & Promises

And like that, I was swept away in the current that is Zelly. Every so often, she’d pull out a dress and hold it up to me then shake her head or toss it on the rack she dragged with us. In a matter of minutes, I had twenty different dresses to try on, and that was only looking through half the shop. Zelly hurried me into the large dressing room and, without batting an eye, helped me undress.

“Um, Zelly…” I started to say, only to have a face full of tulle as she dropped a dress over my head.

“Sorry, what was that?” Zelly asked, pulling the dress into place.

“I’m fine to try these on myself,” I shared as she spun me around so she could zip up the dress.

Zelly looked at me in the mirror, cocking her head as she took in the dress. “It’s no big deal. I help my sister when she’s on tour for outfit changes. I promise I’m not a creepy creeper, and you’ll need help with the zipper anyway.”

It was clear this was a losing battle, so I let the matter drop and focused on the dress. It was a pretty shade of purple with gauzy sleeves and lace stitched on to make it look like it was covered in white ivy. “It’s nice…”

“Only if you were trying to get your baby brother back from the Goblin King,” Zelly commented as she started to unzip me.

“Oh my God, you know the Labyrinth?” I asked, shoving the dress down and stepping out. “I love that movie.”

“Of course you do because whimsical fairies like ourselves eat up that shit.” Zelly chuckled. “Let’s go more Stardust this time.”

This dress had more of a fitted bodice and loose skirt for more of that vintage look. We both looked at it, and instantly, I was kicking it off. Five more dresses of various styles later, Zelly sat down on the mushroom puff stool, cross-legged, tapping her chin as she stared at the dresses left. I sorted through the options, but none of them called to me.

“Of course,” Zelly exclaimed. “You’re Alice.”

“I’m what?” I questioned, but she was already racing out of the dressing room.

“Ah… Care Bear, you two doing okay in here?” Warrick asked, peeking behind the curtain. “Holy shit, it looks like pageant queen hurricane blew through here.”

That had me giggling as I took in the disaster of dresses thrown all over the place.

“Wait, Care Bear, where is Waffles?” he asked.

A mound of dresses rose up, and Waffles crawled out from under the bench, giving a scolding woof.

“Poor guy,” Warrick said, brushing glitter off his head. “Why don’t you come out here and hang with us dudes? It might be safer.”

Waffles looked back at me, and I gave his release command, allowing him the freedom to leave. “I’ll be fine to manage on my own for a little while, I promise.” With a wag of his tail, Waffles fled the dressing room just as Zelly burst back into the room.

“I’ve got it,” she cheered. “You need simple fantasy, something that adds to the adorableness of your tiny size. I present to you Drink Me.”

With a flourish, Zelly presented a knee-length dress made from a satin material, which started out a light blue and ombred into a beautiful lilac. The crowning feature was the giant bow on the back that added to the dress’ silhouette. Throwing my arms up in the air as a signal I was ready to try it on, Zelly dropped it over my head. The back laced up, which was amazing since it was strapless.

When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t help but do a little tip-toe dance and throw my arms around Zelly. “This is perfect.”

“Now the question is, are you wearing your hair up or down?” Zelly asked as she turned me back to face the mirror. “I think doing something like a cute messy ponytail with loose, wispy strands to play up the mood of the dress.”

“I don’t think I could do that…” I said, trying to process how that would even happen.

Zelly took my hand and dragged me out of the dressing room, through the store, and shoved me into a seat before a makeup station. “Didn’t I mention we are full service here at Dreams Do Come Tulle?”

“You could have, and I doubt I’d remember with how distracted I was,” I admitted.

“No worries, I’ll have you glammed out in no time,” Zelly assured me as she looked over the makeup. “Now, where did I put the glitter?”

Time flew by as Zelly and I chatted. To my delight, I learned she lived in Preidon with her older sister, who just happened to be one of the biggest names in music right now. Like me, she was also an Omega but hadn’t been interested in finding a pack as of yet.

“Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely want that in my life at some point,” she said, leaning in to add highlight powder to the tip of my nose. “I’m a lot to handle. My personality is big, my style is a little out there, I’m used to traveling all over with my sister, and I don’t want a group of people I’m matched with to change me.”

Reaching up, I clasped my hand around her wrist, pulling the brush away from my face so I could look her in the eyes. “If they are truly your scent-matched pack, that won’t happen. I was rejected from the program because of my heart condition, and when I stumbled upon them, it was perfect. My Alphas were the first to ever look at me and see the real Bailey-Rose, and that’s who they fell in love with. All I’m saying is when it’s right, you’ll know.”

Zelly smiled sweetly and surprised me when she nuzzled her nose against mine. “Well then, B-Rose, it’s a good thing we met today because I could use a friend who gets where I’m coming from. I think I’ll keep you.”