Page 107 of Timber's Line

“I can’t drink.” I’m about three months away from my 21stbirthday.

“Dad said to go ahead. It’s a celebration and a girls’ night out.”

“Dad.” I still feel weird saying it.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Ever whispers as we walk in and out of racks of expensive dresses.

“Yeah.”

“I always wanted a little sister, and I had always wished it was you.” She turns to me with unshed tears. I can feel my eyes start to water.

“I had wished the same thing at times.”

“Before this turns into a ‘mascara running down my eyes’ type of day, can we get you to try these on?” Skye is grinning.

“She’s still a bitch sometimes.” Ever smirks.

“I heard that.” Skye hands me some dresses and then pinches Ever. They banter back and forth while I head to the dressing room.

I take a dark purple mermaid-style dress and put it on.

“Do you need some help?” Ivy whispers.

“I do.” She will be my stepmom someday soon.

“Here.” She zips up the back and fixes the train of the dress. We both stare into the mirror, and I know it’s not the one.

“Try another one.” She unzips me and helps me out of it. I know she sees the scars but doesn’t say anything.

I try on a light blue dress, almost like a Disney fairytale dress. It’s too poufy.

Ivy scrunches her nose up as I do the same, and we laugh.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Disney fanatic, but this isn’t me,” I say as we get me out of all that dress, too many layers.

I try on a sleeveless light pink gown with an empire waist and high neck bodice with lace.

“It’s pretty,” Ivy says as she smooths the skirt down.

“Not sure if this is the one, but let’s go show them.”

I move out of the fitting room, and they all turn their heads.

“No,” Ever states.

“Alright.” I turn.

“It’s pretty, Timber, but it’s not the one,” she says, her tone softer.

“I’ll go try on the last one.”

It’s white, sparkly, and perfect. I hope it fits.

I put on the dress with spaghetti straps and plunging neckline that no father would want to see their daughter in. There’s a high slit almost to my hip. Ivy zips me up, and she freezes.

“Ivy?” I try to turn around, but she stops me.

“Don’t turn around, just go show them.”