Pink Tux To The Prom

[Callie Black]

Callum peered critically at her. "Oh. God. Callie, was that you?"
"What?" cried Callie defensively, jumping up. "She's fine! What did I do?"
Callum pushed past and turned Amélie around. "Look! Callie!"
"Wh- what?" she cried anxiously, scurrying around to his side.
Amélie looked around nervously. Callie could guess what was going through her mind. Callum was a harsh critique.
He smoothed out a crease in Amélie's skirt, furrowing his brow. "You didn't pull the zip the whole way up. You do that on the night, and poor Amélie will be in an embarrassing situation alright! We need to get you a better bra, honey..."

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie visibly relaxed when Callum said it was the zip. She had thought he was going to tell her she looked like complete and utter crap, when, just for once, she felt good about herself.
Then Callum said, "We need to get you a better bra, honey..."
She started feeling panicky again. "I can do that myself, thanks!" she said, laughing. "Anyway, let me change out of this, and then we'll sort out Callie."
Callum left the changing room, Callie unlaced her at the back then left, then Amélie changed back into her blouse and jeans.
She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. Normal, boring Amélie again.
She took the dress out with her.
Callum caught her eye and they looked Callie up and down.

[Callie Black]

"The bra thing," muttered Callum, leaning towards Callie as Amélie went to get changed. "She didn't seem to relish the idea..."
"Dude, you're a dude," giggled Callie. "Do you want us when you're buying the latest pair of thongs?"
"What?!" he cried. "Is it some sort of taboo that men can't go and shop for bras?!"
"Yes, dear," said Callie, happily. "And don't shout so, that woman is staring."
Amélie came out shortly after, back in her normal, comfy clothes. Callum caught her eye, and they both turned, looking Callie up and down.
"If it wasn't for that damned pregnancy weight..." muttered Callum.
"Watch it, you!" she cried. "I'm yours, okay? Do whatever the hell you do, but I'll take no insults! Got it?"
Callum raised his hands up. "Hell, I'm for it." He grinned at Amélie. "Shall we browse?"
Callie closed her eyes. "Oh god..."

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie grinned at Callie's apprehensive look. "Relax, we won't pick anything too weird..."
Callum folded his arms. "Won't we? Says who?"
"Says me," Amélie laughed. "Callie, what colour did you have in mind?"

[Callie Black]

Callie's face went blank. "I..."
Callum groaned. "Dark green, different layers, shimmering, pretty, long... I have the dress picked out, actually. Amélie, I just need your thumbs up..." He guided them to the end of the shop, where a glimmering green gown was propped up.
Callie's mouth dropped slightly open. My eyes...

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie smiled. "Oh that's stunning," she said. "That will really suit you!"
She turned to Callie. "It will really bring out your eyes."
She picked up the dress and handed it to Callie. "You're wearing this."

[Callie Black]

Callie took the beautiful dress, nodding dumbly. The material was beautiful... Soft, and smooth, just the way she liked it. Scurrying into the changing room, she slipped into it effortlessly. It fit like a glove.
She gazed at her reflection, smiling sadly. The shimmering folds of green floated around her, like a dreamy, emerald haze. She pressed a hand against her mirror image, staring as though she could step into the picture.
"Emily," she sighed. "He must've known... how sweet. Callum's amazing... Even now, he tries to honour your memory, in every way he can."
A silent tear trickled down her cheek.

[Amélie Grey]

"Callie, are you ready?" Amélie called, looking over at Callum, who was looking at tuxes. Callie was taking a while.
There was no answer.
"Are you okay?" she asked, opening the curtain a crack. "You've been ages..."
There Callie was, looking amazing in the emerald green dress... but with silent tears running down her cheeks.
Amélie walked into the changing room and pulled the curtain closed behind her. She wrapped her arms around Callie.
Something was wrong, something had to be wrong. The dress... what did the dress have to do with Callie's crying. Why was she crying, and what was the significance of the dress? How did a dress make her cry?"
"Oh Callie," she said, her face in a worried frown. "What's the matter?"

[Callie Black]

Callie stared at Amélie, who pulled her into a tight hug. She smiled softly. Of course. Always Amélie, always sweet, kind and caring. But Callie didn't need this now. She felt stupid enough for crying. It's just a dress... just a colour...
My eyes... Our eyes...
Callie sighed. "I'm fine. It's just... it's so beautiful."

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie frowned gently. She knew there was something wrong, but she didn't know any ways to get Callie to tell her what was wrong. It was at times like this that she wished she had Madeline's talent for learning the truth - Madeline was a clinical psychologist. And she wished Callum were there instead of looking at tuxes, because he knew Callie a lot better than Amélie did.
"No, really Callie. What's the matter?"

[Callie Black]

Callie sighed. "It's the colour..." She gestured at the beautiful silk green. "My eyes."
Amélie's face looked uncomphrehending. Callie groaned. She had to explain. And how she hated explaining these things.
"My cousin, Emily, was beautiful. The complete opposite of me. Fair skin, blonde, straight hair... She was... great, actually. We got along brilliantly. Even though we didn't look much alike, people mistaked us for sisters. We practically were, I guess." She sighed.
"Th only thing we had in common, was our eyes. Complete replicas of each other. It was actually a little scary. We took some cool photos. Anyway, short story, Emily died when she was 16 years old. Her and her boyfriend where in a motorcycle accident. Both killed instantly."

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie bit her lip. Her friend, Cerisette, had lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. They were dangerous things, but they were Cerisette's passion. And it hadn't been the fault of the motorcycle, it was a damned delivery lorry...
"I'm sorry," Amélie said quietly.

[Callie Black]

Callie grinned. "Callum will be happy. I think we can go on now."
She looked at Amélie.

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie sighed inaudiably. "Okays, let's go help him look at tuxes."
They left the changing rooms, each deep in thought.