I don't own anything except any original character and/or any original plot

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Chapter Eight: Dresses

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I woke up the next morning at around 8:30, giving me an hour before Liz and her mom came to pick me up to go shopping.

Checking my phone and scrolling through social media for a few minutes, I then got up and meandered to the kitchen. Mom set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, a cup of (Hot Drink) on the side.

"Thanks," I picked up the drink and blew on it.

"So, dress shopping for your first school dance. Are you excited?"

I shrugged. I set down my cup with a nearly inaudible clank. Picking up my silverware I started on my food.

"I'm going with Liz, that'll be the best part. But having to go out in public with people... Not so much."

"It sounds girly either way," my dad shuddered, "Don't get me wrong. I saw a guy wearing a pastel blue dress when I was getting out of a cab the other day, and I kind of wanted to ask him where he got it so I could buy one."

"Or yourself or one of us?" Mom asked with a small laugh.

Dad shrugged, chuckling. Being raised a mutant, with my parents being close friends with all the teachers at Xaviers, had given all of us insight on the discrimination minorities faced. From that, all of us were on a level of acceptance and understanding that many couldn't reach.

My small family sat- or stood- around the kitchen counter together. All of us made small talk as we ate our breakfast. When we were done we put our dishes in the sink- Dad promising to wash them later that day.

I went back to my room and rummaged through my clothes until I found an outfit I could wear out. It was a black pair of jeans and a white shirt with LIBERTÉ written on the front in all caps black letters. It was simple enough for an outing to different stores around New York. I looked over the jewelry on top of my dresser. Gingerly picking up the gold locket the X-Men had given it I hooked it on my neck and went to the bathroom.

In the bathroom I rinsed my face and patted it dry with a towel. Looking at myself in the mirror I styled my hair and put on a bit of makeup, putting in an effort I normally wouldn't I was leaving the house after all.

Swiping a bit of lip gloss over my lips I popped them, grinning when the sound echoed through the bathroom.

"Ooo, she's working it Clara!" I heard my dad yell from the living room.

"Yas queen!" Mom yelled in response.

"Where did you two learn to talk like that?" I asked in disappointment, walking to the living room to face my embarrassing parents.

"We're the cool parents, we go on all the social medias," Mom answered, making a peace sign.

"Mom... Stop."

"It's either this or we make constant book references. We can do both if you want."

"I love your Mrs. Weasley, do that!"

My mom nodded, continuing to write out the grocery list for that week. I checked the time. Liz and her mom would be at our apartment any minute.

Pulling on a pair of boots and a jacket I picked up my purse from the rack. Taking a seat at the counter I scrolled through Tumblr until I received a text from Liz.

We're outside

I smiled excitedly. Giving each of my parents a hug I made sure I had my key before leaving the apartment. Taking the elevator to the lobby I waved at the secretary- Jess, I learned- as I walked out. I spotted Liz's mom's car, a white escape with a few bumper sticker on the back. Quickly walking to the side I opened the door and got in the back.

"Hi (Y/n), I'm Doris," Liz's mom greeted kindly, "Liz has told me a lot about you."

"All good things I hope," I joked with a small laugh.

"Maybe a rumor here or there. Who knows?" Smiling teasingly Liz looked back at me.

The car ride to the store was not. Not uncomfortable like I originally thought it would be. Doris was incredibly nice and knew how to keep a conversation going without making it strained and awkward. When Doris wasn't making conversation, the quiet space was filled with pop music playing from the radio.

After a twenty-minute car ride Doris pulled up to a moderately sized store. Large enough to have a parking lot that was half-way full. Doris parked in the nearest open spot, turning the key in the ignition so the car could turn off.

The three of us left the car and walked into the store. One of the workers immediately greeted us, asking us if we were looking for anything in particular. Doris shook her head politely, and we moved on. Rows upon rows of dresses lined the store, with two other sections for shoes and accessories.

"You'll be in blue, right?" Liz asked me.

"Huh?"

"Well, it's your favorite color isn't it? I don't know anyone who would dye their hair a color they don't like."

"Yeah, yeah I totally chose to dye streaks of my hair blue," I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I'll be in pink," Liz beamed, missing my nervous behavior, "Now we know where to find each other."

The two of us went our separate ways. Doris checked in on either of us every few minutes, taking dresses we had piled up to reserved dressing rooms.

I treaded through the two different aisles of blue dresses they had. One of them was dedicated to long dresses so most of those were automatically out. The short dresses held some promise.

"What about that one?"

I swore quietly, placing a hand over my heart. Liz was just behind me, holding her last two dresses. She giggled at my panic, pointing directly at the dress she mentioned. It wasn't bad, so I draped it over my arm. With Liz's help I found my last three dresses, with another two ready for me in a room.

"Do you know what's been going on with Peter?" Liz questioned as I was zipping up my first dress.

"The Stark Internship is crazy hard," I answered vaguely.

I stepped out of the dressing room, meeting Liz outside. Both of us shook our heads at the other's dresses. We both stepped back into our dressing rooms.

"I know that, it just seems like something's off. You two seem really close. I thought you could know something that I don't."

We stepped out again, immediately stepping back in.

"Even if I did know something, Peter would have to tell you himself," I sighed. Peter had to pull himself together and admit his feelings for Liz.

"To be honest, I feel like he might have a crush on you."

"What?"

When we stepped out this time, my face was burning up with a bright blush. Liz laughed, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"I like that one," I stuttered out, approving the dress Liz was wearing.

"You still have two more dresses," Liz pointed out, silently vetoing the one I had on.

I sighed, getting back into the dressing room to put on the next one, "Peter doesn't have a crush on me. He likes you."

"Well, I knew that. But you two click better than we do. For all I know you could have a crush on him."

I froze halfway through zipping up my dress. My eyes looked over my face in the mirror in front of me. The blush from before had spread to the tip of my nose and ears.

"It's not like that." I was so quiet I wasn't sure Liz could hear me.

Pushing past my thoughts I observed the dress I had on. I liked it more than any of the others. This was it. When I stepped out Liz- already in her normal clothes- nodded, approving the dress.

"We're just friends Liz. I wouldn't get in the way of his crush on you."

"Whatever you say," Liz teased, a knowing shine in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes, closing the dressing room door so I could change into my normal clothes again. Liz was waiting for me when I stepped out. Doris was just outside with a pair of shoes for Liz.

"I didn't know your size," Doris sent me an apologetic look.

"It's fine, I have some shoes that will work," I thought of the Converse at my apartment. Well taken care of and signed by all the X-Men.

We all checked out and walked back to the car. My dress protected by plastic next to me, I relaxed into the seat. Finding and buying a dress for a dance I didn't want to go to originally went easier than I thought.

When Doris pulled up in front of my building, I grabbed my dress and stepped out.

"Thank you so much!"

"Thank you for coming."

I closed the car door. Waving to Liz as they drove away. When they were out of my sight, I walked into my building. Taking the elevator to my floor I fished my keys out of my bag and unlocked the front door.

"Traitors!" I yelled as soon as I saw my parents. They were sitting on the couch with ice cream in their hands, "Was I even in your minds when you bought those delicious frozen treats?"

My parents look up at me with wide eyes. Spoonfuls of ice cream hung in the air, dripping off the spoons and into their cups.

"I challenge you to an agni kai!"

My dad set down his ice cream, standing up and facing me.

"Challenge accepted."

The two of us moved around each other, using fake Avatar bending moves. When I spotted a cup of water next to my mom, I swiped my hand to the side. The water rose up and hit my dad in the face.

Dad froze, mouth wide open in shock. My mom and I barked out with laughter. Waving my hand the water left my dad's face and returned to the cup. Leaning against the couch for support I felt my stomach ache with how much I was laughing.

"Your sundae is in the fridge," Mom wiped tears from her eyes.

"Awesome. And Dad, if you wish to restore your honor then you must find and capture the avatar. Only then can I call you the true heir to the throne."

"Not the movie one, right?"

"Oh, God no. If I did that then I'd mine as well give you a death sentence."

"Great, I'll get on that after I finish my ice cream."