The World Falls Away ♡ Chapter Forty-Five

Instructions

If you like this chapter, be sure to leave a heart or comment so I know you want to see more! Hit the flag for background music :D Previous chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/555433005/ ♡ I love my friends, but it’s really difficult to be one of the only introverts amongst them. Take this morning for example. I was just beginning to wake up, sipping some coffee while studying for my university finals, when Alphys, Undyne, and Mary burst into the house without warning, grabbed my arms, dragged me out the door, threw me into their car, and drove me to the mall. I hadn’t even finished my precious coffee yet when we arrived. I didn’t have the heart to turn down their invitation to go shopping in favor of studying, so I just kept my mouth shut and went along with what they wanted, despite being completely exhausted. And that brings me to where I am now, blearily following the three bumbling girls to a supposedly fantastic boutique. I get some stares, whether they’re because of the light bouncing off of my shiny prosthetic, or because some more random strangers recognize me from YouTube, but I’m too tired to be anxious about it. It’s way too cold in here. I should have brought a jacket or something. My hair is a freaking mess right now. I look like a mutant rat that just crawled out from underneath a Hardee’s dumpster, honestly. Surprisingly, no one has commented on it. “Eliza? You good?” I startle awake when Undyne takes my wrist, pulling me forward. I must have been lagging too far behind the group. “Yeah, I’m totally five.” “Five?” “Fine! I meant f-fine.” Undyne laughs. “Well, we’re at the boutique, so go find something you’d like to try on! I’m gonna go peruse the tux section. Alphys, Marianne, where do you wanna go?” “I want to f-find a dress!” Alphys declares enthusiastically, pumping her fists. Marianne shrugs. “Honestly? I was gonna cosplay as the Once-ler from the animated Lorax movie. But fine, I guess I could spring for something fancy. I’ll try a dress with you, Alphys.” The two glance at me, and I blink. “I just want a pretty dress. I’ll go with you guys, I guess.” They grin maliciously and whisk me away, leaving Undyne laughing behind us. Before I know it we’re standing in front of rows upon rows of almost bridal-looking evening gowns. Marianne examines a crimson velvet bodycon dress with a mermaid skirt, her eyebrows raised in interest. Alphys begins scanning a wide selection of puffy pink dresses, reminiscent of something you’d find in a Disney princess movie. As for me, I sort of float around, as nothing really catches my eye that much. But then, in my peripheral vision, I notice one gown in particular that makes me stop in my tracks just to admire it. It’s long, soft, and almost ethereal, with smooth, light fabric in a shade of pale sage green. The color contrasts my darker skin tone perfectly. Marianne, who is carrying her red dress of choice to the dressing room, notices my awe as she passes by. Her jaw drops when she sees the dress. “Oh. My. GOD. That is PERFECT for you, Betsey. Hey, Alphys, come look at this!” she calls out, and Alphys looks up from a pink dress she's holding, which reminds me of some anime I’ve heard of. Was it Tokyo Mew Mew…? Mew Mew Kissy Cutie? Something like that. "Oh, wow," Alphys gasps. She takes my wrist and tugs me towards the dressing rooms, beaming. "We n-need to go try these on!" I let her drag me to the changing area, where she whisks me into my own stall. Still woozy from exhaustion, I pull off the limited-edition Markiplier T-shirt that Mary lent me and my leggings, and slip on the dress almost effortlessly. It's a little tight around the waist, but other than that, it actually fits perfectly.