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Before I knew it, Thursday had crept up on me quicker than a quick attack. I wasn't sure how much longer we would be on Poni Island for, but I was growing paranoid. I had been training hard with Froslass and Haunter both, but I got no signs of anything. Nothing eventful had really happened in the past few days. I was losing sleep stressing about seeing my mother. Would it ever happen?

I sat on the couch in the living area of the room. Mallow was cooking breakfast for us girls, and Lana and Lillie were talking about tonight. Tonight was the night of the dance, and I was nowhere near ready. I still hadn't gone shopping for an outfit, and I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. My dad had already given me the money to get my outfit.

"Okay everyone, breakfast is ready!" Mallow exclaimed. "Dig in!" She said, happily.

Us three girls walked over, and sat at the table. Mallow served us all the breakfast she cooked. Which looked to be scrambled eggs, with a side of colorful fruit salad similar to the one I had eaten the other day. She also made Pinap Juice.

"Wow! This is so yummy!" Lillie exclaimed, as she took a bite.

"Wow amazing, Mallow!" Lana exclaimed after she swallowed her first bite.

I stabbed a bite of the eggs, and popped it into my mouth. I was met with an explosion of flavor. Not even I or my own mother could cook this well. "Wow, this is amazing, Mallow." I said, after I swallowed.

Mallow's cheeks turned redder than a Gengar's eyes. "You really think so?!" She exclaimed in happiness.

I looked up at her and nodded. "Yes, it's really good." I winked at her. Lana and Lillie then looked at each other as if they knew what was going on, which I knew it was because of Mallow admitting to liking me. I already had a plan on how I was going to ask her to the dance; I just had to wait until the right time.

I continued eating, for this was the first time in a while I had actually enjoyed one of my meals. I looked over at the Pokemon who were to my right, as they were all digging into their breakfast as well. Haunter and Froslass were happy as well.

"So, what are the plans for today? Anyone know?" Lana asked.

That was actually a good question. Because I didn't know.

"I don't know, probably gonna get the last bit ready for the dance tonight would be my best guess." I said. I hadn't seen what the venue looked like yet, because Olivia wanted it to be a surprise. I was still stressing out about getting my outfit tonight. No way I was gonna walk in there looking like a washed up bum from Lavender Town.

"Well, if we're not doing anything, I was going to go shopping for a new outfit for the dance." Lillie said, as she finished her food. "Do you want to tag along?" She asked all of us.

I nodded yes immediately. "Yes. I need an outfit as well. My dad already gave me the money to buy something. I just don't know what look I'm gonna go for." I said, as I put my fingers on my chin. I wasn't sure if I should go for a more dressy look or a casual look. This was so hard..

"Count me in." Lana added. She then turned to Mallow. "What about you, Mallow?" She asked.

Mallow then looked to the side, sadly. "I don't know... I'm not sure if I'm gonna go to the dance yet." She said, cautiously.

"Aw, Mallow! Please come. We're all going." Lana begged. "You'll be here all by yourself if you don't." She added.

With that, I seized my chance. I got up from the table, and walked over to Mallow. She noticed this, and her eyes followed me all the way around until I was right in front of her.

"Mallow.." I said, hesitantly. "Please come to the dance. It would mean the world to us if you came." I said, as I stared into her deep green eyes. Her eyes locked onto mine, as if she couldn't look away. "I know I'm kind of putting you on the spot, but will you please think about it?" I asked.

Mallow opened her mouth, but nothing came out. "I- I- Yes." She stammered. "I'll come." She said, as she allowed a small smile.

"YAY!" All of us girls cheered. The Pokemon seemed happy too that Mallow chose to come.

Knock knock knock!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. All of us turned to it, to see who it could possibly be. I already had a hunch who it was.

"Come in!" Lillie called out.

The doorknob turned to reveal my dad's shirtless labcoated figure. One of these days, I'm gonna ask him why he never wears a shirt.

"Alola, all." He said, as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Alola Professor Kukui!" The other girls said in unison.

"Alola Professor Dad. What's up?" I said, as I crossed my arms over each other. I wonder what he wanted.

My dad smiled bashfully at my question. "Well, I have some good news and bad news. Which do you all want to hear first?" He asked, as he put his hand behind his head.

All four of us looked at each other, unsure. "Uhh.. the bad news." I said, finally as I looked back over at him.

"Well, bad news is class is cancelled for today due to the dance," he said. "Good news is you all get a free day. Olivia and I will be getting everything ready for the dance tonight. So you can pretty much do whatever you want today." He explained.

"Dad, are you sure you all don't need any help?" I asked. I could always go shopping for my outfit later. I didn't mind it, plus I was kind of anxious to see the venue.

"No worries, Emethyst. We have it under control." He smiled. "Enjoy your day, girls." He said, as he went out of the door and closed it up.

Us four girls all looked at each other like what in the world just happened, but then we all smiled. "You know what time it is, right?" Lillie asked, excitedly as she began jumping up and down.

"Shopping!" We all said out loud.

***

All four of us girls walked down Poni Island's busy sidewalk. The sun was shining as always, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Did it ever rain here? However, I enjoyed the nice weather. The sun was beating down on my mildly sunburnt shoulders from the other day. All of our Pokemon were back at the Pokemon Center getting special treatment. I just hoped Haunter was behaving.

"So do you all have any idea what kind of look you're gonna go for?" Mallow asked, as we walked side by side.

I thought for the moment, for I was still deciding.

"I was thinking something a bit more casual, but cute." Lillie replied. "Like maybe a pleated skirt and a short sleeved hoodie. I saw this one outfit I loved a while ago, but I don't know if they have it here on Poni Island." Lillie said, as she fixed her white sunhat.

"I'm probably gonna go for something blue." Lana added. "What about you, Emethyst?" She asked.

I smiled nervously, for I really didn't figure it out just yet. "Eh, I haven't really decided yet." I said, as I smiled lightly and closed my eyes. "I can't decide if I want to go dressy, or casual." I said. "I guess I'll decide when I see the selection." I shrugged. "What about you, Mallow?" I asked, as I turned my attention to the greenette.

"Oh, I haven't really figured it out either." She pondered. "I might just go in what I have on, I don't really know." She said.

I shrugged. I mean, her normal outfit didn't look bad at all in my opinion. But, I would have liked to see her in something more dressy.

We then reached the shop that Lillie was talking about. Apparently, it was a boutique that has multiple shops on all four Alolan islands. Lillie opened the door, and held it open for the rest of us.

The shop was rather small, but there was a big selection. I saw dresses of all kinds lined up on the racks. It was then a sales woman came to the door. She had pink hair and blue eyes, and looked to be middle aged. She sort of reminded me of the lady who had served me and the Pokemon Malasadas a while ago.

"Hello ladies!" She exclaimed happily. "Did you need any help?" She asked, as she approached us.

"Yes, actually." I said, without hesitation.

"I already know what I came for!" Lillie exclaimed, as she ran off into the maze of racks. Lana and Mallow followed suit behind her. I guessed she had seen the outfit she wanted.

"Yes sweetie, what were you looking for?" The lady asked sweetly.

I looked around the shop. "Actually, I'm not really sure. I'm attending a dance tonight, and I was looking to get a decent outfit."

The lady nodded "Okay, any particular style you were looking for?" She asked. She then looked at me from head to toe, as if she were sizing me up.

I shook my head. "Uh, no not really." I said. I just wanted to look decent and not like a washed up bum.

The lady looked at me, and then looked back at one of the racks. "I think I actually might have the thing for you." She said. "Follow me this way."

The lady took off in the maze of racks, as I followed suit behind her. She then stopped at a rack in the middle of the store, and pulled out a dress I wasn't expecting to find. My jaw dropped when I saw it.

The dress was a black, strapless satin cocktail dress that had purple gem bead work going down the left side. It was absolutely stunning, and was sure this was my dress. I was pretty sure I had hearts in my eyes.

"Oh my goodness, it's beautiful." I said, as I took the hanger from the lady, and felt the soft satin material. "Can I try it on?" I asked the lady.

The lady smiled. "But of course!" She exclaimed. "We also have the heels to match. Would you like to try those on as well?" She asked. "We have a special going on if you buy a dress, you get the shoes to match for half off."

My eyes glistened with happiness. Now, that was a deal I was definitely going for. "Yes, please!" I exclaimed. I was now super excited.

"Okay, wait right here. I'll be right back." She said, as she took off running to the shoe side of the store. It was then that Lana, Mallow, and Lillie had emerged from behind one of the racks. I saw Lillie was wearing a completely different outfit than what she had on before and also had her hair tied up now. I assumed it was the one she wanted. It fit the description she gave us before we got here.

"Wow Lillie, that looks cute on you!" I exclaimed, as I looked at her from head to toe. White suited her perfectly.

"Thank you!" She exclaimed. "Don't you love it?! I've been after this outfit forever it feels like! Did you find anything?" She asked.

I held up the dress and showed the girls. "The lady showed me this. I think I'm gonna get it. She's on her way back with the shoes to match." I said, and smiled.

Mallow looked at the dress and instantly looked amazed. "Wow Emethyst, that is pretty!" She exclaimed. "It'll look really ho- I mean cute on you!" She blushed, closing her eyes bashfully. I caught on to what she said, but I wasn't gonna call her out. Lana gave her the side eye.

The lady then returned with the matching shoes, which were black heels with the same bead work going down the sides. Wow. I thought. My face must have said it all.

"Aren't they gorgeous?!" The lady exclaimed. "The fitting room is over there." She said, as she pointed to the corner of the store.

"Okay!" I exclaimed, as I walked quickly over to the fitting room, and closed the door behind me.

I literally ripped off all of the clothes I had on just about, and popped the dress on. My jaw dropped when I saw how it looked on me. For once, I actually felt pretty. I then sat down, and put the heels on to see how it would all come together. Everything fit like a glove. Tears welled in my eyes, because it had been forever since I had felt this way about myself since my mother passed away. I was in awe. However, the length of my dress was to my mid-thigh, and I hoped this wasn't a problem for my dad, but oh well if it was. I was one hundred percent sold on this outfit. I guess I was going for the dressy look.

I quickly took the dress and heels off, and put my sweatpants and tank top back on, and slipped my sandals back on. I was excited, and I was finally ready for tonight.