Read Online Getting Kole for Christmas by Kimberly Krey - Free Book Online Page A

tears all at once. I feel relief above all else. Relief that I can actually like myself in an evening gown, even if I may never have the occasion to wear one during my high school life.
    A wave of disappointment pulls me from that spot as I realize that Kole will never see me in this dress. Never see me looking the way I do right now. 
    “Do you need help with the zipper?” It’s my mom. Her voice is just a whisper, which tells me that Trina must be trying on dress number two hundred and thirteen.
    I pull back the curtain before I can chicken out.
    My mom’s hand shoots to her mouth. Tears fill her eyes. Actual tears.
    My face warms. “It’s a pretty dress,” I mumble, looking down at the ground.
    “It’s a beautiful girl ,” she corrects, “in a pretty dress. Oh, Kylie, I love it.”
    I nod. “Yeah well, there’s no need to zip it up or anything. I’m not going, so…”
    But my mom’s hands are on my shoulders before I can finish. “Turn around,” she encourages. She zips up the back, and I can hardly believe it actually fits. I haven’t considered whether it would be too big or too little. Only that it couldn’t possibly fit just right because the chances are so slim.
    “This was made for you,” she says.
    The sales woman rushes over with a pair of heels. “Here, try these on.”
    I stare at her for a moment, wondering if she’s been looking at me through some hidden surveillance camera. Or did she simply see me sneak in with the dress? Either way, I step into the matching heels and sigh. They’re gorgeous. A little big, but a perfect compliment to the dress.
    “Let me grab you the size down,” she says.
    “No thanks,” I say, stepping out of the heels. “I’m not going to the dance. I just thought I’d try this on. You know, for fun.”
    “Well that’s too bad, dear. You look absolutely stunning in this dress.”
    I look at the bottom corner of the mirror, reminding myself of what my mom has drilled into my head for the last ten years of my life. Learn how to take a compliment , Kylie .
    My sisters have it down to a T. I’m a work in progress. I channel that happy place inside me once more. The part that is grateful just to look nice in the dress. I pull in a deep breath, set my eyes right back at the woman, and smile. “Thanks.”

 
    I’ve been working my way out of a funk all afternoon by dribbling the soccer ball through a course I set up in the basement. Stacks of old books make up cones, spaced two-three feet apart. I weave through them, picking up speed with short, precise kicks. I can’t help but recall doing this with Kole in the backyard; the mere memory makes my heart skip.
    I work to stay focused, dribbling back and forth while my brain does the same. Dress shopping today wasn’t so bad, while I was there anyway. But now I’m just stuck with the aftermath: no dress, no date, and no dance.
    I round the final stack of books while wondering if I’ll hear from Kole today. He hasn’t called the house or texted me through Melanie’s phone and I can’t help but think Eli told him what I said and now he’s weirded out.
    I pop the ball harder than needed and sigh when it flies toward my bedroom door.
    I groan, recalling the gorgeous dress at the store. I so, so, so love that dress. Love! But I hate that I’ll never have the chance to wear it.
    “Hey,” Melanie says, bouncing down the stairs. “Kole’s texting you.”
    My heart  - already pumping with exertion – kicks up an extra beat. “I wonder if he’s going to Hawaii,” I say, pacing the floor to cool down.
    Melanie pulls a sad sort of pout and hands over the phone. “Are you sure you don’t want to come sledding with us?” She’s bundled up from head to toe. Boots, hat and all. “Dad said Conrad and his little sister could come. Lance is already here with Trina, and Evan is on his way.”
     “Hmm,” I say. “Conrad? The one you’re going to the dance with?”
    She nods. “You should tell Kole & Eli