Prom is in a week and today Miriam is taking me dress shopping even though I told her I'm not allowed to attend.

"I just think that's stupid. You had a legitimate reason to miss so many days, right? Why are they punishing you for things out of your control?"

I shrug. I'm not mad about it. Prom tickets are way too expensive and I'd have to buy a dress and stuff. I don't really care to go get dressed up and hang around people who treated me like an outcast for four years.

"Dustin!" Miriam yells. We're sitting together on the couch and Dustin is in his room.

"Miriam!" Mrs. Swaz hisses, covering the phone. "Inside voice."

"Sorry," Miriam smiles innocently at her mother who rolls her eyes, going back to talking. Dustin comes down a couple minutes later.

"Alright. I'm ready. Let's go."

We haven't addressed our little moment in the living room a few nights ago. It was a bit awkward the day after, but both of us have gone back to pretending nothing happened and so far we've been doing a good job.

"So first dress and shoe shopping then mani pedis."

"I wanna get my nails done." Dustin says and I can't tell if he's being serious or not. He sometimes has his nails painted so I guess it wouldn't be weird for him to get a manicure.

Dustin parks the car in the mall driveway a while later.

Miriam is very thorough about her dress shopping. We go to about ten different shops and she doesn't seem impressed with any of the options.

"Gosh! At this rate, I'll have to order something online." She sighs exasperatedly. I haven't looked at anything, not in the mood for shopping. It doesn't make sense for me to buy a whole new dress if I'm not even going to prom.

Finally, we seem to be getting somewhere when Miriam pulls out a gold satin floor-length dress. It's fairly minimal but gorgeous nonetheless. Of course, Miriam looks stunning in it and she decides to buy it.

"Oh! This so pretty!" Miriam gushes, pulling out a dress from the sale rack while the cashier rings her up. "You have to try it on, Blade."

"I'm good."

She groans. "Dustin, tell her to try it on."

"What makes you think she'll listen to me?"

Miriam whines. "Blade, you're wonderful, but you make an awful shopping partner. Come on! Amuse me."

I sigh, giving in. I slip into the dressing room and slide into the dress. It's a burnt orange color and is floor length like Miriam's but the vibe isn't so fancy. It feels less prom dress and more dinner on the beach. It's really pretty, but I just don't like myself in dresses. I feel like it belongs on a model not someone like me.

"Let me see!" Miriam demands from outside the dressing room. I sigh again, stepping out.

She gasps when she sees me. "Woah..." she grins. "You have to get it. Right, Dustin?"

The curly headed boy shakes his head and clears his throat. "Uh- yea. I mean, if she wants to."

Miriam squeals. "It's half off. Omg you have to get it."

"Okay. Okay. Fine."

"Yay!" She does a little happy dance.

I really don't have the finances to be buying pointless dresses, but I guess treating myself once won't be the end of the world.

We get back to the house in the late afternoon and Miriam orders Dustin to make grilled cheeses.

"So... what color is your date wearing, Dustin?" Miriam asks as we sit together and eat.

Date?

He shrugs. "She told me it'll either be purple or blue."

"Are you gonna wear a tie to match?"

"Nah. I don't really like suits."

"Lame." Miriam grumbles, turning to me. "It totally sucks you can't go to prom, Blade."

I shrug. "It's not a big deal."

The more Miriam and Dustin talk abour their dates and plans for prom, I realize it's not whatever. I didn't care about prom and I still don't, but I find myself wanting to know who Dustin's date is. So far, neither of them have mentioned a name and it's driving me crazy.

Who is she? Is she pretty? Do I know her? Is she Dustin's girlfriend?

"Brina is an interesting name. Is it short for something?"

Dustin shrugs at his sister's questions. "Maybe Sabrina?"

"Wow. You know so much about your prom date." I bite out before I can stop myself. I add a laugh hoping I don't sound as bitter as I feel.

Dustin eyes me curiously while Miriam looks amused.

"Yea, well. We can get to know each other more at prom."

I smile tightly, taking a sip of my water.

Get it together!

I have no right to be jealous or envious or anything in between. Dustin and I are just friends. That's all we'll ever be.

Yet I can't help the ugly feeling in my chest the more I think about him and this so called Brina.

****