The Winged Guardian - 25 Night Dress

I picked outmy only party dress for the concert. It was made up of many layers of pink clothes embroidered with grandmother laces. I had it since primary school and I wasn’t sure if I could fit in it now.

“Seriously.” said Dylan who took the liberty of my room as his. “You’re not going to wear that.”

My face went dark red. “I was going to buy a new one!”

“Okay, let’s go.” Dylan said, got up, and got ready.

“I was going to buy a new one with Sonnia and Michelle.” I said deridingly. “Not you.”

“Of course,” Dylan smiled back. “You CANNOT go anywhere without me.”

Pressing lips, I put the dress back into the closet. I couldn’t deny it. Since Dylan cemented himself with me. The wind never attacked again. I’d lived a thoroughly peaceful week.

The demon was waiting at the doorway. “Come on. You can go with your friends again later. I want to choose the dress for you.”

What?!

I did not protest though. It had become exceedingly hard lately to object or get angry with him. I thought it must be because he saved me many times that I felt too grateful to the demon. Dylan opened the door waiting for me to go out. I stumbled after him.

“Wh…where are we going?” Dylan did not answer. And I had not got a chance to ask him again because he strode quickly so that catching up with him was all I could do on our way. Dylan finally stopped at one of the dress shop in the most expensive street.

After my breath’s rhythm came back to normal pace, I saw what was displaying in the showcase. Many beautiful dresses on mannequins gleamed in halogen lights shining as if weaved from gold. I was spellbound at those pretty dresses but the enchantment was broken as soon as my eyes rested on the price tags.

“I don’t have money for those.” I said prepared to return home.

“Wait.” Dylan grabbed and dragged me into the store. “Just try them on.”

I stood like a statue while Dylan picking out dresses and piled them on my arm. I dared not look at the price. They must be really costly. Whatever, I’ll just put them on for once in my life and leave.

Trying on clothes was an extremely laboring job, I just found that out. And I thought all of them were beautiful. If I was really going to buy it, I wouldn’t know which one to choose. But Dylan kept making me change until I was at the ninth.

It was a long strapless light blue evening gown with glittering sequins and shiny beads on top and wired edged chiffon dress fell in layers. It was a stunningly beautiful dress and I actually did allow myself just once to steal a peek at the tag. I gave up after that.

I came out of the fitting room wishing this would be the last one. I wanted to go home now.

“Let’s go home.” I moaned as Dylan observed the dress, not moving a muscle. I sighed and was ready for Dylan’s ‘Let’s try another one.’ But the silence was getting too long and uncomfortable.

Why does he keep staring at me? Oh…he’s about to say something. Okay, I’m ready to change.”Let’s take this one.” said Dylan as he got up.

“What?” I tried to reach for the price tag but it was too far at the back. So I charged back into the fitting room, quickly changed and came out with the tag in my hand. “It’s 500 dollarssssss!!! I don’t have money.”

Dylan snatched the dress away from me and went straight for the cashier. “I’ll pay for it.”

I was dumbstruck. He’s going to buy me the dress? But…no! It’s 584 dollars to be exact. It would cost me arms and legs, take me a year to pay him back all that money. Not even counting the countless help, I was going to be ocean-deep in debt with him! No, I couldn’t let that be. My soul wouldn’t even be enough to pay for all that.

“Dylan.” I pulled his arm trying to stop him. “No. It doesn’t matter. Really. I don’t want it.” Because I don’t have money. “I-I prefer–” I searched impetuously for a cheaper dress on the racks nearby; at least it would take less time to pay back for a hundred dollar. My hand groped around and finally found an eighty-nine dollars short sleeves shocking pink dress. “This one!”

“That’s hideous.” said Dylan almost immediately. “You have a very weird taste Leigh. Don’t worry–” And the demon handed me the wrapped dress. “It’s my gift for you.”

I gawked giving up breathing.

………

Really?

……….

Then, all the excitement stormed back all at once. Really? I don’t have to pay for it? My hands were trembling as I slowly took it from him, didn’t notice the girl behind the cashier bar who was smiling at us.

“Just take it.” She gave me a wink. “You’re so lucky to have such a good boyfriend.”

I looked at her with horror. Did she just say b-bo–boyfriend?

“Oh no, no, he and I–” I pointed back and forth at us trying to laugh the shyness off.

“Oh-we’re-just–”

“Let’s go.” Dylan interrupted my protest and dragged me out of the shop.

We walked in silence on our way back home. But, muffled by the heartbeats, I could not relish the peace at all. That girl¾she thought Dylan and I are…I dared not think of the word. This was getting more and more complicated. The demon made it difficult for me. There’s this contract, the way he always help and save me, those eyes (No! Don’t think about it!), the way we’re living together, it just made me went softer and softer on him. How long would I be able to resist before the soft-heart overtake me?

“I’m just borrowing it, by the way.” I said.

Dylan sighed. “If you really want to pay me back, why don’t you just take me to the concert with you?”

“But I thought you’re coming?”

“As your date, of course.” He ended with head slightly tilted beckoning for my answer.

“No way!”

“Alright then”

Grr…the debts…I bit my lower lips. There was no way out for me now.

“I have at least a right to date that dress.” Dylan suddenly said again. He was not giving up. “And you don’t have to worry because everyone will think I’m gay.”

Oh, there it is! I felt like throwing up my hands in defeat and plunging down in heap into a quicksand pit and let myself be dragged down.

“Do whatever you want.” I could only snort scornfully.