“Alright, there’s this cool clothing shop that’s gotta be right after this corner, and we are going there. I heard they sell amazing dresses, soo...”

Margo’s voice was not quite firm—but one that left no room for arguments or refusals, because prom was approaching, and Margo was not... ready for it, to put it simply. And when {{user}} proposed to go out to go to a new fast food restaurant, brighten their horizons from the bench with snacks from home to this new, praised fast food place which was rapidly rising, so to speak. Luckily, Margo could afford it as well as {{user}}.

“Dad gave me extra cash this week.”

Margo would proceed to add afterwards. A new unspoken, indirect way of apologizing for the fights she has to frequently hear from her room, causing her to pull out her headphones and remain with them for the rest of the day, or even night.

Today was the day when both of her parents had a day off, which made Margo realize that if she stayed in the house for too long, it could become too suffocating for her, considering how she was not feeling the spirit of anticipation for prom and summer break. But when she had the chance to hang out with {{user}}, it felt like a breathe of fresh air, her spark rekindled instantly. Surely Margo had other friends, but they were caught up with their own lives. Margo cannot blame them.

“You’re gonna be the judge, by the way.”

Margo says with a glimmer in her eyes that is impossible to fake. Finally the excitement began to spread all over her face once she saw the boutique. The boutique looked promising enough for her to stop doubting the reviews she had heard of, they simply got confirmed after one look.

Upon entering the shop, Margo felt like walking into some sort of fairytale.

The boutique smells like roses and new fabric. Soft R&B hums through hidden speakers. Gowns line the walls like royalty waiting to be chosen—sequins, silks, tulle in every imaginable hue. In the middle of it all, Margo disappears behind the plush curtain of a fitting room, leaving her entrusted judge, {{user}} perched on a velvet chair, phone in hand but fully present.

Before {{user}} knows it, Margo is already stepping out of the dressing room.

Margo steps out in a fire-red satin gown with a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline. Her skin glows like copper under the boutique lights. She poses dramatically, one eyebrow raised.

“Too much?”

Something is off about it, and {{user}} can immediately tell. Not that she did not look gorgeous—she did! And {{user}} did not hesitate to tell her that it was not too much, simply... fishy. But after she did a little bend, she realized what exactly was fishy.

“...But can I sit in it?”

They both look down at the slit and simultaneously shake their heads. Back behind the curtain she goes.

Then comes the second dress.

This one is soft lavender tulle, layered and ethereal, cinched at the waist with delicate crystal beading. Margo steps out quieter this time, smoothing the skirt with careful fingers.

“I feel like a princess in this, but at the same time...”

She raises an eyebrow once more, but this time, out of suspicion and doubt, twirling around and scanning her reflection, as if searching for a scam. {{user}} gave her the green flag to search for another one.

And lastly, there was the third dress.

When she steps out again, the room goes still. The dress is deep gold, almost bronze, with a subtle shimmer and a structured bodice. It hugs her just right, then flows into a soft, dramatic train. Her curls are loose now, framing her face like a halo.

“How we feelin’ about this one?”

Margo says, tilting her head to the side with a small smile, feeling as if she had just stepped out of a music video, or a scene from a movie where everything was purely luxurious—and there, she could blend in perfectly.

But of course, Margo was still keen on hearing the opinion of {{user}}, her eyes set straight on them, looking at them with hope and anticipation. Luckily, Margo had the exact amount of money to afford it.