Chapter 14
- Ella Hewson
- Nov 12, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 26, 2021
"Come on, let's go," Alice said. She rallied us into my bedroom. Emmett followed obediently behind her, wheeling the overflowing racks of garments.
Do we really need all of these clothes?" I asked.
"There's literally no point arguing with this person, trust me," said Renesmee with a knowing smile.
Alice gestured proudly at the expanse of clothes.
"Ever since you were new to the vampire world, I've been preparing for your first day of school. I've been ordering dresses from Paris, shoes from Milan, shirts from Tokyo and jackets from Barcelona. Choosing a first-day-of-school outfit should be a breeze."
I glanced swiftly from side to side, taking in the large amount of clothes in front of me. I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of fabric. I felt completely overwhelmed.
"I have to explain something about myself," I said to Alice in a patient manner. "I have trouble choosing...making decisions I mean."
"I didn't realise..." said Alice.
"I've always found it difficult when there are too many choices," I said.
"Is there anything I can do to help you make a decision about an outfit?" Alice asked.
I thought about it for a minute.
"Give me three options," I said. "I will eliminate my least favourite straight away. Then I can choose my favourite from two things. If I only have two options, I am able to choose by myself."
"Great planning Ella," said Renesmee.
"Yay! You're taking control of your life!" Alice said.
Alice flitted around the racks of clothes, her expression one of pure ecstasy. She plucked garments carefully from the racks and laid them in three piles on the bed.
"Music will help with our endeavour today," Alice said. She turned on Spotify. Out poured Mamma Mia by Abba.
"This playlist will be perfect," Alice said. "Now we have the music going, let's start trying on clothes. Why don't you try this outfit first?"
She handed me a pile of clothes black, white and raspberry garments. The first outfit comprised of a ruffled pink and white floral shirt, black tights and black riding boots. A raspberry jacket was draped over the back of my chair.
Though the ensemble was beautiful, I needed assistance from Renesmee to put on the shirt and the boots.
"I'm going to eliminate this one," I said confidently. "This outfit is inaccessible because I need help to put it on. I want to wear something I can dress myself in."
"I'm so proud of you," said Alice, "You've already eliminated one."
Alice bundled the unwanted outfit into her arms and threw it forcefully out the door.
"Try this one," Alice said as she handed me the second outfit.
This look comprised of a voluminous, black and white checked dress. It was paired with black tights, ankle boots and a weathered denim jacket which I draped over the back of my chair.
"This is a possibility," I said. "It looks great and I can get into it independently."
"Great!" Alice squealed. "We've found one of your choices." Alice laid it down on the bed then handed me the third option."Try this," she said.
The third outfit was a cream knitted jumper, boyfriend jeans and white sneakers.
"This is a good choice too," I said. "It's very comfortable and I can dress myself."
I was now left with two choices; the jumper and jeans or the checked dress. I knew straight away which one was my favourite.
"I choose the dress!" I said happily.
"Amazing decision making," Alice said admiringly. "Let's lay your chosen outfit out on your bed."
Before we knew it, the morning of the first day of school had dawned. Renesmee was dressed in a lavender knit, high waisted black jeans and white sneakers.
I was dressed in the checked dress. Blue contacts were in my eyes, shielding the true identity of my supernatural self.
"Before you leave, I have a gift for you both. New schoolbags!" She handed me a black backpack with the word 'vegan' spelt out in multiple colours. Above the wording was a prominent rainbow.
"I chose this bag for you because the rainbow represents your disability pride and because you are a vegan vampire," Alice said.
"I love it!" I said. "Thanks for considering my inner identity."
Alice handed Renesmee a lemon yellow tote bag.
"Thanks Aunty Alice," she said and gave Alice a big hug.
"Have an amazing day," Alice said excitedly.
We descended into Emmett's aluminium coloured jeep. Emmett lifted my wheelchair into the back of the jeep as if it were as light as a feather . As we drove the familiar path to Forks High School, Renesmee and I chatted happily about the day ahead. I couldn't believe that we'd be going to school together every day from now on. As we pulled into the school parking lot, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves.
I opened the car door and prepared to head into school for the first time as a vampire. Here goes nothing, I thought...
Soundtrack:
While I was writing this chapter I was listening to:
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