Dress Becomes You

         "Mom." Angie yelled down the stairs.
         She got no reply. With a huff of air Angie trotted down the steps to go find her mum. She was out in the garage sorting through the laundry there. Angie shivered as she walked through the door, a cold gust of air rushing to meet her.
         "Mom?"
         "Yes hunny," she answered in question.
         "It's almost Halloween." Angie took a perch on the dryer.
         "It sure is." Denise nodded, picking out a white pair of socks and shoving them into the washer.
         "Well there's this party…"
         "No." her mum answered curtly with a secret grin hidden from Angie .
         "But…"
         "Relax, I'm kidding," Denise held up her hands. "You're old enough to be allowed to party now and again. Who's is it?"
         "Well it's Candy Johnson."
         "I thought you two didn't speak." Denise eyed her daughter curiously.
         "We don't, but it's gunna be the coolest party this year. I have to be there!" Angie dramatised. She wasn't actually telling the whole truth, yes it was going to be the coolest party, but Jensen Davies was going to be there. She had a thing for him, a major thing. She'd had a crush on him since she first started high school, around four years now. Not that he knew that, she'd never worked up the courage to speak to him. She figured the party would be a good time to let him know she was alive and that Candy wasn't the only girl he could have a good time with.
         "I need a costume, a good one."
         "Can't you just use the one from last year?" Denise asked knowing fine well the answer would be no.
         "That's like wearing the same wedding dress twice!" Angie exasperated, throwing her hands out.
         With a laugh Denise stopped with her handful of dirty clothes and turned to her daughter, "I'm not sure it's quite the same."
         Angie threw her a dark look.
         "But I am going into town tonight to get a few supplies for the trick or treaters , I could take you to that fancy dress store on the high street ?"
         "Thanks mom, you're the best!" Angie jumped down and gave her mum a hug.
         "Now, off to school with you, see you later."
         "Bye mom."

         Angie jumped in the car alongside her mum and smiled as she clicked her belt on.
         "How was school?" Denise asked as she pulled away from the drive.
         "Pretty boring. Oh except Davey and Jennie broke up again."
         "That's gotta be the fourth time this week." Denise questioned.
         "At least. But you know what they're like." Jennie was Angie's best friend. They had known each other since being in nursery together and still did almost everything together.
         As they drove into town the streets were lined with decorations of pumpkins and witches. Houses they passed already had hideously carved pumpkins sitting out on their porches and heads on sticks dug into the grass. She even saw a coffin.
         "People are really going all out this year." Denise remarked.
         "Yup," Angie was distracted. "Hey mom, do you think I've left it too late?"
         "For a costume? It should be fine. I'll drop you off at the store and go get my shopping and meet you back there."
         "Great thanks!" Angie was grateful, if it wasn't for her mom she'd probably go without an outfit. She hopped out of the car at the store and absently waved in the direction of the car before pushing open the door, the familiar intone of the bell jingling somewhere above her head.
         The fancy dress store looked like it had been ravaged by wild animals. Costumes lay strewn on the floor, empty hangers on rails swung as if someone had just ripped off the item of clothing and wigs had been flung everywhere.
         "I'm afraid you may be too late." a voice spoke from behind her. Startled, Angie whirled to face an elderly man behind the counter. His hair was grey and receeding, combed over to the left side of his head. He wore an old tweed jacket. Angie thought he didn't seem to suit the shop.
         "Is there nothing left?" she asked.
         "Oh there are some costumes left. Just not many." he removed himself from the safety of his cash desk and began to meander around the shop, picking up bits of debris on the way.
         "How about little red riding hood?" He asked holding up a red cape.
         "I was looking for something a bit scarier." she told him truthfully.
         "Very well… how about this?" he held up a broom.
         Angie didn't believe that had been her dress of choice since she was about five. She shook her head.
         "Picky aren't ya?" he smirked.
         She sighed, annoyed at him. "I was looking for something like a fairy."
         "A fairy?" he scoffed. "That's not very Halloweeney ."
         "Have you got any or not?" she was losing her patience.
         "Sorry, the last one went this morning."
         "Fine, thanks for your help." she stormed out of the shop, cursing the laughter of the old man behind her.
         Sitting out on the curb, Angie was picked up by mum five minutes later.
         "Didn't they have anything?" she asked.
         "No. And the old man was weird."
         "Hmmm. Well there's this place by my work, it's a little shop. They might still have something left, I don't think a lot of people know about it."
         "But that's ages away." Angie didn't want her mum to go out of the way.
         "Only ten minutes, and it means I can nip in and grab those papers."
         "Okay, thanks mom, you're the best!"
         When they arrived at Denise's job fifteen minutes later they both hopped out of the car together. "This is my building, but for that shop you just cross the road here," she pointed, "And head down that little alley and it's just on the left."
         Angie nodded trotting off with high hopes for the shop. She reached the entrance to the little alley and for a second was a little apprehensive. The darkness was thick, heavy. And she could smell the stale stench of urine. Wrinkling her nose she almost turned back, tempted to forgo the alley, when she remembered the party. She had to be there, and she had to look good. With a deep breath she plunged down the skinny walkway, staying alert for the shop, but also anything else she might come across. After about two minutes she found it, the little shop on the left.
         The shop was sunk into the floor, a dim light cast out from the dusty windows. The rotten wooden board above the pane of glass read 'Dress Becomes You'.
         Staring through the muddied glass she could only see shapes, silhouettes of what she hoped were rails upon rails of outfit options. As she grabbed the round brass handle on the faded door she felt a wave of anxiety creep through her. Shrugging it off she twisted the handle and stepped inside, hoping to appear more confident than she felt.
         She found herself taking two deep steps down onto a worn carpet. A bell jingled above her. Shutting the door behind her she noticed a strong smell of incence burning sickly sweet from somewhere within.
         "My dear, welcome." came a soft feminine voice. Angie glanced up, startled. "It's so good to see you here." she spoke to Angie as if she were an old friend. Angie offered a weak smile, though the welcome was intended to be warming it made her a little uncomfortable.
         "You're here for a costume." the woman told her matter-of-factly as she crept forward from the shadows . Angie could see that she was an older lady, with hair dyed a soft shade of purple. Her suit dress matched in a darkened purple. She was short and plump, reminding her of a lady in a sweet shop she used to frequent.
         Angie nodded, her hair falling about her face.
         "Come with me," the lady took hold of her arm, leading her towards the back of the shop. Angie found herself in a cubicle partitioned by a purple material. "You wait here, and I'll bring you some outfits to try on."
         Before Angie could utter another word the lady was gone, presumably to find some clothes suitable for Halloween.
         Gazing around Angie noticed she was stood in front of a floor length mirror which was held up by a beautiful black frame, curving graciously on the floor. She had expected it to be as dusty as the window but it was clean, shining brilliantly in the dim light. She noticed a few candles flicked here and there, adding to a homely atmosphere.
         Several moments later the woman returned with a heap of clothes slung gently across her forearm. "Here you go dear," the woman smiled as she began to hang them up on the rail. "I made a guess at your size but you're quite petite and I think I got it right. If you need anything just shout dear." with another quick flash of teeth she left the make-shift room, pulling the curtain across to Angie some privacy.
         Uncertain for a moment Angie gazed at the clothes, unsure where to start. But then the urge over took and she decided the beginning would be a good place. She pulled off her sweater, kicking off her trainers at the same time and unbuttoning her jeans. Soon she stood in her underwear. She expected to be chilly but was oddly warm.
         The first costume she picked up was a witch. Obvious. But she tried it on anyway. Pulling it on over her head and following it with a pointy hat she felt drowned in the dress. It hung too low below her knees. That was a no.
         The second outfit was a werewolf. She almost didn't even try it, knew that she wouldn't be seen in a furry babygrow. But thinking what the Hell, she pulled it on. Once she had it suited up with the zip which had been thoughtfully placed at the front she realised how warm it was. Pulling on the hood which would be the wolfs head she felt almost claustrophobic. Looking in the mirror she saw herself and almost laughed out loud. Shaking her head she quickly peeled the suit off and hung it back up.
         The third costume was a vampire. Vampire was too cliché, over done. But sticking to her vow she tried it on anyway. She felt self conscious at the way the dress clung to her curves, outlining everything. She wanted Jensen to notice her but if she wore that, all of the girls would instantly hate her and more than one boy would get an eyeful.
         I'd rather go as the wolf, she thought.
         The last outfit she picked up was a dark dress. She was unsure what it was but instantly loved how pretty it was. The bottom edges were tattered and torn. The sleeves were puffed at the shoulders and there was lace and ribbon detail around the dress.
         Pulling it on without reservation she stared at herself in the mirror. This was it, this was the costume. Fairy. And that other man had laughed.
         "How are you getting on dear?" the old woman called. Angie drew back the purple fabric in response letting the old woman look her up and down approvingly. "Oh yes, that is perfect."
         Angie nodded in agreement. It was perfect.
         "But you can't be a dark fairy, without a wand." trundling off Angie could hear her rooting around, and then she heard her exclaim 'ah-ha' as she found what she was looking for.
         "Here we go." the woman smiled as she handed the wand over to Angie. Turning around once more Angie stared into the mirror. She saw herself looking grown up, mature in a dress that accentuated her curves but allowed for imagination. It felt right as she continued to gaze from head to toe. She knew she would get his attention, one way or another.
         With a smile that looked almost wicked she said, "I'll take it."
         After paying for it Angie turned to leave, thanking the woman again.
         "Don't mention it dear, that dress becomes you." her eyes sparkled.

         "So the grin on your face would suggest you've found an outfit?" Denise asked as Angie climbed back into the car beside her.
         "Yes," she said clutching the paper bag close. "I did find an outfit. And I'm going to look better than everyone."
         "Good for you darling." Denise smiled. They headed back towards the house. Angie's thoughts were of the Halloween party ahead. It was going to be the best party.

         The next day Angie's excitement had peaked. She could barely think of anything else at school. She couldn't wait to wear her outfit. She knew she would be the talk of the party. When she got in that night she couldn't resist and put the dress on again, taking in her slim curves and glossy black hair in the mirror as she spun and twirled. Without meaning to she wore it most of the night not wanting to take it off. She felt different in the dress, a different, more confident person.

         Saturday came. Jennie was coming for her at six. Angie was restless all day. She didn't know what to do with herself. She tried to read but couldn't concentrate. She watched some TV but her mind kept wandering. All she could think about was the part. Finally it became a decent time to begin getting ready.
         When the doorbell rang at exactly six, Angie was ready. She had on her dark fairy outfit, which seemed to be clinging to her skin. The ribbons on the front were accentuated, seemed a different colour in the dusk. Her sleek black hair hung in ringlets down her back, caressing her shoulders gently, sweeping around her br*asts. Her make-up was immaculate, her skin a pure white contrasted against the dark eye liner she had chosen. Her eyes looked darker. She almost looked evil as she grinned at herself in the mirror.
         He will notice me tonight, she thought.
         Pulling on a pair of high-heeled boots she padded downstairs opening the door to her best friend.
         "Wow," Jennie's first response. "You look amazing."
         "I know!" Angie gave a little curtsey and grinned, stepping back to allow Jennie into the parlour. "You look good too." she glanced up and down at Jennie's witch outfit, although she knew she looked better.
         "You're going to bowl Jensen over."
         "That's my intention." Angie grinned wickedly.
         The party was already in full swing when they got there. Candy greeted them at the door with a look of contempt.
         "I'm sorry, did I invite you?" her voice was catty. Angie stepped up until she was inches from her face.
         "What's it to you?" she pushed past the girl and into the main hall. "Come on Jennie." she called behind her, hearing Jennie trot in apologetically.
         "Woah Angie that was so cool," Jennie hissed as Angie handed her a cup. It was full of red liquid. Some sort of punch. "You've never answered her back before."
         "Yeah well she thinks she's better than everyone." she took a sip of her drink. Twisting her face, "It's not even got alcohol in it."
         "I bet her parents weren't cool with it." Jennie intoned.
         "Yeah, miss goody two shoes," Angie looked thoughtful. "If my wand really worked, I'd magic some in there." She grinned waving her wand about stupidly. The two girls giggled immersing themselves in the crowd,
         The music was loud, vibrations from the amplifiers buzzing through the wooden floor. People were dancing, laughing. Girls huddles in gaggles, eyeing up the boys around them. The boys sat in corners, huddled against walls, trying to look cool.
         Angie scoffed at it.
         "Man it's like they're in high school or something."
         "Erm, they are." Jennie was confused.
         "Yeah yeah."
         "Look, there's Jensen." Jennie discreetly pointed him out. He stood in the middle of the dance floor where he had been herded by Candy. He was gorgeous, standing over six feet. His wore a zombie costume, the white blood-stained shirt accentuating his broad shoulders and toned midriff. His hair had been brushed backwards, but it still looked soft to touch. His face had a white pallour, his eyes darkened with what she presumed would be his mum's make-up. He looked cute.
         Too cute to be talking to Candy. He wasn't even interested in her, Angie could see how bored he looked. His wandering eyes met hers, began to move on and switched back taking in all of Angie. With a coy grin she began to stride over when Jennie popped up in front of her. Angie found herself resisting the urge to strike her friend.
         "Angie!" Jennie yelled, throwing her hands high above her head, spilling some of her drink in the process . "Angie… Did I ever tell you how fab you look?" Jennie was slurring her words.
         "Yep, you did. And I know how fab I look." Angie laughed.
         "I have got no idea why he…" she pointed at Jensen, "Is talking to her." It became obvious that the two in the centre of the room were being talked about.
         "Jennie, shhhh, you're talking really loud." Angie pulled her into the corner of the room.
         "Am I? I'm so sorry." Jennie's hands flew to her mouth dramatically.
         "Are you drunk?" Angie hissed.
         "Nooooooooo," Jennie giggled. "I haven't had any alcohol."
         "Uh-hu." Angie didn't believe her.
         "Unless someone spiked the punch." she stumbled slightly holding up her plastic cup as testament.
         "I think someone did." Angie sat her friend down on a chair and headed to the kitchen with the aim of getting a glass of water.
         What idiot spiked the drink, she thought shaking her head.
         "You loser." Candy's harsh words rang out to Angie as she entered the kitchen. Angie turned.
         "What is your problem?"
         "You spiked the punch." Candy accused.
         "No I didn't." Angie shook her head.
         "You wanted to ruin my party."
         "Get lost." Angie's temper flared, angry she was being accused.
         "You get lost, you're a freak." the words cut through to Angie. She stepped forward, holding her hands in front of her. Angie felt her anger rise.
         "Candy, you're the freak. You're a horrible, selfish bitch. You know nobody likes you?" Angie grinned wickedly knowing her words would sting. Normally she wouldn't have said such a thing, but tonight she felt powerful, alive.
         "Shut up!" Candy took a step backwards.
         "You know don't you," Angie stepped forward again. "You know they all hate you."
         "No they don't." Angie could see Candy was defensive, close to tears, yet she continued pushing.
         "Yes they do. They only came here because of your party, nobody actually wants to see you."
         "Why are you saying this?" tears began to trickle from the girl's eyes.
         Still Angie didn't stop. "Everyone would be so much happier if you disappeared. Why don't you turn into a ghost instead of just pretending to be one? "
         Candy disappeared in front of her eyes.
         Angie jumped back, startled. Candy had disappeared. She was gone.
         "Hello?" a small voice called out, unsure .
         "Candy?" Angie glanced around, expecting her to pop up.
         "What did you do?" her voice was a high pitched wail.
         "Nothing I..."
         "Nothing?" the voice shrieked. "You made me disappear!"
         "But..."
         "You waved that wand at me."
         Angie recalled the twinkle in the woman's eyes as she bought her outfit.
         Dress becomes you.
         "You're a witch!" Candy was sobbing.
         "Actually, I'm a dark fairy." Angie grinned. The woman had been right when she said the outfit was her. She stared at the wand in her hand, saw it sparkle gleefully.
         "Turn me back." Candy pleaded.
          Angie pretentded to muse, " Umm...no. I think I'd prefer if I couldn't hear you." with a swish of her wand the room went quiet. "Candy?"
         No answer. Angie chuckled.
         She felt the power of the wand course through her, the outfit clinging to her body tighter than before. She felt herself changing, felt the costume take over. But she didn't care. For too long she'd been the shy quiet girl people made fun of in the corridors. The one that nobody wanted to date and all of those popular girls called names. Well not anymore.
         With a strong air of confidence Angie marched from the kitchen, forgetting her water. She strode into the centre of the room, sensing Jensen off to her right.
         "Jensen, come here." her voice was loud over the music.
         Whether it was because he was so shocked at her order or because of her new found power he moved towards her, stopping just in front.
         "Let's dance."
         Automatically his arms moved to curl around her waist, drawing her close. She laughed wildly as they danced and twirled. She knew they were being watched. She loved it. She felt the unwielding power of her costume course through her, filling her veins, running through her blood. She felt powerful, strong.
         "Angie," she heard her friend's voice from behind her, small and meek. "What's gotten into you?"
         "Nothing my dear friend, I am simply becoming who I was always meant to be." she spoke in barely a whisper but it was audible above the din of the room.
         "Meant to be?"
         Angie could sense Jennie was frowning. Without hesitation she broke her hold on Jensen and stopped dancing, moving to stand in front of her friend. Jennie looked unsure.
         "Yes Jennie, meant to be."
         "I...." Jennie stuttered, lost for words. She could see the darkness in Angie's eyes, feel her aura.
         With a deep sigh of exasperation Angie explained to the girl. "For years and years I have been the one shoved in the corner, the girl nobody even knew the name of. But I knew it wouldn't always be like that. I am wonderful, an angel, I am destined for higher things."
         "Destined for higher things, are you drunk?" Jennie took a step back suddenly feeling fearful of the girl she had known most of her life.
         "Drunk? Of course not you stupid girl!" her voice was harsh. Jennie flinched. Angie was speaking from age and wisdom, not something many seventeen years olds possess. "With thanks to that wonderful woman I have realised who I am truly meant to be."
         "Angie this isn't you, what's going on?" Jennie's eyes were filled with salty tears yearning to burst. She held them back.
         "This is me, the new me. You will all love and obey me." her voice boomed as she addressed the whole room. Everything else was silent as the crowd in the room watched the scene unfold.
         "Love and obey you? You realise what you sound like?"
         "What?" Angie was confused, not expecting any resistance.
         "You sound just like those awful pretencious girls at school, the ones who believe they run everything and think they're better than everybody else. The ones we laugh at."
         "How dare you!" Angie screamed. "I am so much more than any of them!" Her fury was magnificent. Her eyes burned into Jennie, a ring of furious red around her dark black pupils, pits of evil. Her skin was pure white, almost glowing against the dark detailed dress. Her mane of beautiful black hair breezed behind her in a room that was still.
         "How dare any of you." her voice echoed in the small room. "None of you are worthy of me. None of you are capable of the things that I am. None of you will ever be anywhere near as beautiful and powerful as I am."
         Faces in the room were blank. Some wanted to laugh, some wanted to cry, some to run. Everone was unsure.
         "I'll show you, all of you!"
         Lifting her wand high above her head, her body seemed to stretch further and higher, looking lithe. She seemed to grow about a foot in height. She began to chant. Her lips moved swiftly, hissed words escaping violently. The faces around her grew more fearful as her chant went on, getting louder and faster, until she was bellowing at the top of her lungs without any obvious effort. The words were hideous, ugly. None had been heard before. She was speaking a different language. It flowed naturally, a second tongue to her.
         A flash of light erupted from her wand, dancing about the room over the heads of the onlookers. It was brilliant white. She watched the fizzing ball with amusement as it dashed, touching everybody within the room with the slightest brush of skin, nothing they would even notice. It came back to sit on the end of her wand, tame. Her chant ended and she bowed her head.
         "Angie..." a few minutes later Jennie's timid voice was the first to break the silence.
         "I'm not Angie." came the dark reply from the woman in front of her. "I'm a new Angie, a better Angie. And you are all going to pay."
         Looking up for the last time Jennie started back as the woman who looked at her was transformed. She could no longer see a hint of her friend in the face of the woman before her. Instead she saw malice. This was a creature full of hate and greed. One who wanted nothing more than to control others to obtain her desires.
         Liftting her wand once more the dark fairy gave a subtle swish and uttered the words, "Dress becomes you."
         The ball of light flashed so brilliantly that for a couple of seconds nothing could be seen. The blaze faded and the room returned to normal. The people within the room looked unchanged, unhurt.
         Jennie moved. Lifting the broom in her hand she stepped over it, cackling wildly as she took flight. She whizzed around the room above the heads of the others, circling and diving. Chaos continued to unfold. Jensen, now a fully fledged dead man lurched towards a cat which was standing on two legs, moaning and drooling. His feet shuffled slowly as congealed blood leaked from the wound in his chest. Several vaguely transparent figures began to sweep around the room, flying through walls and other creatures with ensuing emphatic noises. A female vampire hid within the dark recesses of the corner of the room, black cape held high against her pal, drawn face, figuring out who would be the best victim to satiate her hunger. A werewolf bore down on a cheerleader, ripping into her delicate skin with a delighted snarl. Blood squelched from the wound.
         Angie laughed wickedly, taking pleasure in her evil act. She had the power now, she could do as she pleased and nobody would be able to stop her. Nobody would dare to stop her.
         Leaving the house she stepped outside, the creatures behind her quickly escaping into the cold night, running for cover, or to find their next victim.
         "I will rule the world! I will make you obey." her confident voice carried on the wind across the night.

         Lying in bed in her small room above the shop, the old woman heard the words as a whisper through her draughty window. She grinned and snuggled further down under her layers of bed clothes. Her shop had never worked such miraculous wonders before and she was unsure it would again. But she did know that the dark fairy would be back to thank her for the service she had done. Madam Pomfrey always had a knack of revealing a person's most inner desires .