The stares directed at the mismatched duo were plentiful as they walked down the street. People would go out of their way to avoid brushing Samantha's dress, and whenever she made eye contact with someone, they lowered their gaze or pretended to be looking at something else. Tricia was walking swiftly, and nervously. Samantha didn't feel nervous at all. In fact, she was fascinated that others seemed uncomfortable looking at her, not vice versa. Typically, she'd be blushing, looking at her feet so that she couldn't see any of their stares, but she realized there was simply no need. She felt like a totally different person in that dress and makeup.
"Please slow down, Trish. It's hot." Truly, the sun was not being kind to her black-clad person. She was roasting within the multiple layers of fabric. Then she became aware of the umbrella that was still dangling from her arm. She carefully opened it up and used it to block the sunlight. Faint, filtered sunlight still passed through the lacy membrane as tiny black cords dangled from the umbrella's corners. It was a small relief, but a relief nonetheless.
"We'll have to go through the park," Tricia said. "There's a drug store on the other side."
"Please slow down," Sam repeated. "This dress is really restrictive."
"Sorry," Trish said, resuming a normal gait. "I just want to get you changed back before something bad happens."
"Something like what?"
"I don't know. Something. The remote's dead. I didn't even think it ran on batteries. Aren't you feeling vulnerable? You're stuck as a goth, in public.
"Yeah, I'm a little nervous, but our problem isn't exactly critical. It's actually kind of interesting to be out like this. Did you notice how people were almost afraid to be caught looking at me?"
"Are you mad?" Tricia said, showing an unexpected amount of concern.
"No, just intrigued."
"So should we stop by a bookstore and read some dark poetry, then?" Tricia joked, trying to lighten up. "With your new voice I bet it would sound heavenly."
It was becoming terribly hot in her dress, and for some reason Samantha wasn't breaking a sweat. While it preserved the composed look of her elegant face and kept her clothes unsoiled, that meant she had no way of expelling heat.
She convinced Tricia to stop for a drink. There was a newsstand just before the park. It didn't have batteries, but there was plenty of bottled water. The guy in the stand had streams of sweat dripping off his large red brow.
"Boy, that is some dress," he remarked gruffly. "I thought I was roasting in here. You must be positively boiling!"
"I'm managing," Sam said sweetly. She didn't mean her remark to come out that pleasant, but she couldn't help it.
"Nice tattoo work, too. Did you get that down at InkStain? That's where I got this one." He hoisted a wide arm and rolled up his short sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a scantily-clad woman reclining on a motorcycle.
"No, not exactly...," Sam said.
"She does plays," Trish chimed in, coming to her rescue. "We're on our way to a show right now. This is just makeup."
"Well it's some pretty wild makeup." He rang up their total on the register, and then something seemed to click in his brain. "But don't you put that stuff on backstage at the theater?"
"Here you go," Trish said, handing over the money for the drinks. It came to three dollars even, so they didn't have to wait around for change. Trish wrapped her arm in Sam's to quickly lead her away before they had to endure any more questions.
"Break a leg!" the vendor shouted as the girls crossed the street to the park entrance.
Inside the park, Samantha noticed a pleasant spot where a tree on a hill overlooked a small pond. "Shade! Let's take a break and drink."
They settled down in the shadow of the tree. Samantha carefully lifted the sides of her dress and dropped into a cross-legged position as the frilly fabric settled in a mushroom shape around her. She opened her bottle and took slow gulps, savoring the smooth, icy cool water.
"I have to say, Sam," Tricia said after a minute of quietly enjoying the faint breeze and refreshing water. "You look absolutely gorgeous. Granted, you're a little freaky with the face paint and all, but there's something about you that is just so...elegant. You're truly, totally beautiful."
Samantha almost choked on her drink. "Thanks, I guess. I don't really know what to say."
"Say anything!" Trish smiled. "Your voice is like drops of honey. Every word is music to my ears." She held Samantha's free hand and pressed it between hers, rubbing the silky fabric of the gloves. "If you don't mind...even after we get the batteries...I'd really like it if you stayed like this for a while longer. Maybe you'll start enjoying it later when it cools down."
Samantha's one visible eye explored Tricia's captivated expression. "I suppose, since our deal is still in effect, I won't have a choice. It kind of feels nice to be in a dress again. I haven't worn one since prom."
"That's the spirit!" Tricia seemed more excited than usual.
"What's the deal?" Sam had to ask. "It's like you're attracted to me or something."
Trish froze for a second, but quickly smiled to counter it. "No! Not exactly..."
Samantha gulped. "You're actually attracted to me, aren't you?"