Jade Slaughter

“It was definitely out of my comfort zone to get [the dress] and decide I loved it enough not to wait and risk not having something that memorable.”

I need this.

The dress was everything she wanted—the sequins, the length, the shape. Her hour-glass figure accentuated by the snug fabric at her hips with gold-layered beading highlighting every twist and turn in the mirror.

Junior Precious Cornelius couldn’t help but stare in awe at herself. The dress was no longer a want, but a need.

But the cost, the maintenance and the overthinking left her with doubt.

It would be different if the dress was from Grapevine, Flower Mound or Carrollton. Yet, the dress wasn’t just 15 minutes away from her house.

The dress was 5,442 miles away—in Venice, Italy.

The decision was now or never.

After a year of preparation for a school field trip, Precious took flight to Milan, Italy during spring break. Roughly 15 students accompanied Precious on the educational tour.

“It was interesting to interact with people you didn’t necessarily know but were from the same place as you,” Precious said. “There was a sense of connection regardless of if you truly knew each other or not.”

Precious realized the sheer difference between America and Italy in the few hours of travel to her hotel. From the woodwork to the cobblestone streets to the building structure.

“[Italy] was new,” Precious said. “It was a completely different environment from what I’m used to here in America, especially in Texas.”

The morning after, Precious and her group went on a guided tour of the historical monuments in Venice. With a couple hours of free time before dinner, Precious admired the streets of Italy with juniors Guadalupe Hernandez and Jeny Madrid.

Clusters of buildings passed by the girls, when the windows of Bottega Goldoni caught Precious’ eyes. There was a subconscious pull to check out the store. As they walked in, the sparkling sequins radiating off the dress drew her attention. It must fit. Zipping up the back of the outfit in the dressing room, Precious fell in love. What would the others think?

Precious isn’t one to indulge in impulsive acts, especially not with a €300 dress. Even with the option of online shipping, Precious wasn’t sold on parting with the dress so soon.

“When it comes to serious things, I’m not as willing to step out of my comfort zone,” Precious said. “It was definitely out of my comfort zone to get [the dress] and decide I loved it enough not to wait and risk not having something that memorable.”

With no intention to buy anything, Guadalupe and Jeny were shocked to find dresses of their own. Guadalupe bought a black laced dress while Jeny bought a mermaid-style navy blue dress exceeding her expectations.

“When I tried [the dress] on, I was like ‘this is absolutely beautiful,’” Jeny said. “I fell in love with the dress on the spot, so I was flabbergasted you could say.”

Hanging up in the store, Precious’ dress seemed too long for her 5 foot 4 inch stature. Yet in the dressing room, the sequin-patterned dress pronounced Precious’ features. Her smile. Her eyes. Her hips.

“I was in love,” Precious said. “The design going down [toward] the hip area accentuated my [hips] and made my body pop. I definitely stood out and it flattered me.”

She constantly checks the closet. Just a peek. She needs just a peek to know the dress is safe. No rips. No dust. No loose threads. The plane ride back was hard enough as it is. What if they lose the dress? What if it’s damaged? What if it wrinkles?

One month.

Two weeks.

Three days.

Tomorrow.

Prom is tomorrow. As an early graduate, this may be the first and last time Precious experiences the dance. Surrounded by her boyfriend and friends, there was no doubt buying the dress was the right choice for Precious.

“I’m willing to splurge, and I’m willing to absolutely go all in for it completely,” Precious said. “High school doesn’t last forever, and I know very soon it’s going to end. I want to make sure I don’t have any regrets after the fact. I’m going to make sure it’s memorable.”