Chapter 13: Dressing the Part

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, but Elliot could barely enjoy the sunshine. Their phone had been quiet all night after those threatening texts, which somehow made everything worse. What was Ryan planning?

The doorbell rang at exactly nine o'clock. Elliot opened the front door to find Megan bouncing on her toes, car keys hanging from her fingers.

"Ready for Operation Perfect Outfit?" she asked, laughing.

Elliot hesitated. "Maybe we should skip the dance. After those texts—"

"Absolutely not!" Megan pushed past them into the house. "I already told your mom we're going shopping. She gave me money and everything."

Mom emerged from the kitchen, smiling. "I think it's wonderful you're going to homecoming. You deserve to have fun, sweetheart."

"But what if Ryan—"

"Ryan Mitchell is not going to ruin your first dance," Mom said strongly. "I've already called the school. They're adding extra guard tonight."

Elliot hadn't expected that. "You called the school?"

"Of course I did. I'm your mother." She kissed Elliot's face. "Now go find something amazing to wear."

Twenty minutes later, Megan pulled into the mall parking lot. "We have exactly eight hours before Jamie picks you up. That's plenty of time to find the right outfit."

Elliot's stomach fluttered at the mention of Jamie. Despite everything, they couldn't help feeling excited about tonight.

"I don't even know what to look for," they revealed as they entered the mall. "I've never been to a dance before."

"That's why you have me," Megan said, linking her arm through Elliot's. "Fashion extraordinaire and best friend forever."

Their first stop was a store with bright lights and pop music blasting through speakers. Megan quickly started pulling items from racks, creating a growing pile in Elliot's arms.

"Too much," Elliot complained as Megan added a sparkly blue jacket to the stack.

"Just try everything," Megan urged. "You never know what might look amazing."

In the dressing room, Elliot stared at their image. The first outfit – black pants with a silver buttondown – looked fine, but something was missing.

"Let me see!" Megan called from outside.

Elliot stepped out, feeling weird. Megan circled them, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"It's nice, but not special enough," she decided. "Jamie's going to look amazing. You need to match his energy."

The next three outfits earned similar comments. "Too boring." "Too formal." "You look like you're going to a funeral, not a dance."

Elliot's faith was shrinking with each rejection. "Maybe I should just wear what I already have at home."

"No way." Megan grabbed Elliot's shoulders. "Jamie Carter, the most popular boy in school, asked YOU to homecoming. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your shoes?"

"That's why I'm worried," Elliot admitted quietly. "What if I embarrass him?"

Megan's expression relaxed. "Oh, Elliot. Jamie asked you because he likes YOU. Not some dressedup version of you."

"I still want to look nice for him."

"And you will." Megan's eyes lit up. "I have an idea. Let's try a different place."

Three shops and dozens of outfits later, Elliot was losing hope. Nothing felt right. Everything was either too flashy or too plain, too tight or too free.

"We need food," Megan stated. "Shopping emergencies require ice cream."

At the food hall, Elliot swirled their spoon through melting vanilla ice cream. "Maybe this is a sign I shouldn't go tonight."

Megan looked up from her chocolate sundae. "Don't say that. We'll find something, I promise."

Elliot's phone buzzed. A text from Jamie: How's your day going? Can't wait to see you tonight.

A small smile crept across Elliot's face as they typed back: Shopping with Megan. See you at 7.

"You're totally in love with him," Megan noted.

Elliot's cheeks burned. "I am not!"

"You are, and it's adorable." Megan wiped ice cream from her mouth. "Which is why we need to find you the perfect outfit before I die of cuteness overload."

As they tossed their empty cups away, Elliot spotted a small store tucked between two bigger ones. The window show featured unique clothes that weren't quite like anything they'd seen in the mall.

"What about there?" they asked, pointing.

Megan squinted at the shop. "Stardust Boutique? I've never been in."

The shop was quiet inside, with twinkling lights hanging from the roof. A friendly woman with silver hair smiled at them from behind the bar.

"Welcome," she said. "Looking for something special?"

"Homecoming dance," Megan explained. "And we're desperate."

The woman looked Elliot up and down carefully. "I think I might have just the thing."

She went into the back and returned with a deep blue velvet jacket, silver buttons gleaming down the front. "Try this with black pants," she offered. "I have the perfect shirt to go underneath."

In the changing room, Elliot pulled on the outfit. The jacket fit perfectly, as if it had been made for them. The silver buttons matched the dance theme, and the deep blue color made their eyes look brighter somehow.

When they stepped out, Megan gasped. "That's it! That's absolutely it!"

Even the shop owner seemed pleased. "You look wonderful," she said. "Like you're wearing a piece of the night sky."

For the first time all day, Elliot felt a spark of optimism. They turned in front of the mirror, liking how the jacket moved.

"Jamie's going to love it," Megan whispered.

But as they walked to the register, Elliot spotted the price tag and their heart sank. It was twice what Mom had given them to spend.

"I can't afford this," they said quietly.

The shop owner overheard. "Is this for Eastridge High's dance? My child goes there."

Elliot nodded. "Yes, the Field of Stars theme."

"The jacket was made for that." The woman smiled kindly. "Tell you what – I'll match it to your cash. Consider it my addition to what sounds like a magical evening."

By the time they left the mall, Elliot had the perfect outfit, complete with silver star cufflinks the shop owner had thrown in "for luck."

"That was amazing," Megan said as they drove home. "It's like the universe wanted you to find that jacket."

Elliot touched the shopping bag carefully. "I can't believe tonight is really happening."

Megan glanced over. "Have you heard anything more from that unknown number?"

"No." Elliot had almost forgotten about the threats. Almost.

"Well, I told some people on the decorating committee about it. They're going to keep an eye out for Ryan."

Elliot stared out the window. "What if he does something terrible?"

"Then he'll have to get through me first," Megan said furiously. "And Jamie. And obviously the football team, since Tyler texted me that they're watching out for you guys too."

That was shocking. "Tyler? Really?"

"People change," Megan shrugged. "Speaking of change, you need to tell Jamie about those texts."

"I will. Tonight."

Back at Elliot's house, Mom was waiting eagerly. "Did you find something nice?"

Elliot nodded, suddenly shy about showing her.

"Well? Let me see!"

In their bedroom, Elliot changed into the new outfit. When they emerged, Mom's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, love. You look so grown up."

Elliot fidgeted with a sleeve. "Is it too much?"

"It's perfect." Mom fixed the jacket collar. "Your father would be so proud."

The mention of Dad made Elliot's chest tighten. "I wish he could see me."

"He can," Mom said softly. "I believe he can."

The rest of the afternoon crawled by. Elliot tried to read, to draw, to do anything to keep their mind off both the joy and fear swirling inside them. They checked their phone frequently, both dreading and hoping for messages.

At six thirty, the doorbell rang. Elliot froze. Jamie wasn't supposed to arrive until seven.

Mom peeked through the curtains, then relaxed. "It's just Megan, coming to help you get ready."

Megan burst in with a makeup bag and a determined expression. "Final touches," she announced. "And moral support."

As she helped Elliot style their hair, Megan chattered about her own date, a boy from chemistry class. But Elliot could barely focus. In thirty minutes, Jamie would be standing at their door.

"What if this is all a mistake?" they asked suddenly.

Megan stopped, hairbrush in midair. "What do you mean?"

"Jamie and me. We're so different. What if tonight proves we don't belong together?"

"Or what if it proves you do?" Megan countered. "Sometimes the best pairs are opposites."

The doorbell rang again, and this time Elliot's heart leapt into their throat. Through the bedroom window, they could see Jamie's car in the driveway.

"He's early," Elliot whispered, fear rising.

"Because he couldn't wait to see you," Megan said, giving them a final onceover. "You look great. Now go make Jamie Carter's jaw drop."

As Elliot walked toward the stairs, they could hear Mom meeting Jamie in the entryway. His voice sounded nervous, which somehow made Elliot feel better.

They took a deep breath and started down the stairs. Jamie looked up, and his eyes widened. For a moment, he seemed completely frozen.

Then his face broke into the most brilliant smile Elliot had ever seen.

"Wow," he breathed. "You look incredible."

In his dark suit with a silver tie that perfectly matched Elliot's buttons, Jamie looked like he'd stepped out of a dream. Elliot couldn't believe this beautiful, popular boy was their date.

"You too," they managed to say.

Mom snapped pictures while Megan made dramatic swooning motions behind Jamie's back. Finally, it was time to leave.

"Remember, home by midnight," Mom said, holding Elliot tightly.

As Jamie opened the car door for them, Elliot felt a strange mix of excitement and fear. Somewhere across town, Ryan was putting his plan into motion. But here, in this moment, with Jamie looking at them like they were the most important person in the world, Elliot decided to be brave.

They climbed into the car, the satin jacket catching the last rays of sunset. Jamie got in beside them, his smile bright with hope.

"Ready for the best night of our lives?" he asked.

Before Elliot could answer, both their phones dinged with the same message. Jamie pulled his out first, his smile disappearing as he read the screen.

"What is it?" Elliot asked, suddenly cold despite the warm evening.

Jamie turned the phone so Elliot could see the text from an unknown number: Roses are red, flowers are blue. By the end of tonight, everyone will hate you.