Lauren's Beach Crush by Angela Darling

what my sister told me? That boys are drawn toward girls who give off vibes that they’re not interested. And I am definitely not interested, so if anything, he’s just picking up on that.”
    Lauren nodded. Maybe Chrissy’s sister was right. She’d read something about that phenomena. But she was pretty sure that kind of thing mostly applied to older boys, so she couldn’t worry about that right now. What she needed to do was get Charlie to spend more time with her. Then he’d realize that she, Lauren, was just like him. It was just a matter of time before he saw the light and realized the two of them were meant to be together.
    She decided to change the subject. “So remember I mentioned the big Fourth of July cookout? It’s this Thursday night.”
    Chrissy nodded. “I know. I can’t believe it’s the Fourth already. What should I wear?”
    â€œThat’s what I was going to say. People wear anythingfrom shorts and tees to fancy dresses. There’s this awesome vintage clothing store off Main Street that has the coolest old dresses from the fifties, sixties, and seventies, and it’s super cheap. We could use our babysitting money and go there this morning to see if we can find something to wear to the party. I’ve decided that I can stretch my casual style a little bit for one night and get dressed up! Maybe you can help me choose something that will make me look irresistible to Charlie.”
    Chrissy looked at her for a minute and looked like she was about to say something, then changed her mind.
    â€œLet’s do it!” said Chrissy, flinging back the covers. She hopped out of bed.
    Half an hour later Lauren led Chrissy into the vintage clothing store. A bell tinkled as they opened the door. She loved the smell—a combination of old-fashioned perfume, wood polish, and ocean breezes—which seemed to swirl around the high-ceilinged shop, thanks to the rotating fan overhead.
    There were several people inside, and the nice woman behind the register smiled at Lauren, looking as though she recognized her from summers past.
    Lauren led Chrissy to the back, where a rack ofdresses lined the entire back wall.
    â€œThis place is awesome!” said Chrissy, touching a wild looking straw hat. Its wide brim was festooned with bright blue feathers.
    Lauren smiled with delight. It was rare that Chrissy ever thought something wasn’t awesome, and Lauren really liked that about her. Lauren always worried about everything, but Chrissy always seemed to think things would just work out. Lauren vowed to try to be more like her.
    They tried on several dresses apiece. Finally they both stepped out of the dressing room at the same time, looked at each other, and beamed.
    â€œThat is perfect on you!” said Chrissy, jumping up and down and clapping her hands as she gazed at Lauren.
    â€œAnd that is perfect on you!” said Lauren, shaking her head in amazement at how great her friend looked.
    The owner of the shop came around from behind her register and looked at both of them. “Those dresses were made for both of you!” she exclaimed. “I wasn’t sure if anyone would be petite enough to fit into them, and along you both came!”
    Lauren’s dress looked as though it had been fitted by a tailor. It was a short shift from the sixties, and the patternwas blocks of bright colors—pink, yellow, and aqua, on a white background. She looked at herself in the mirror. It really was an awesome dress. It made her look at least a year older, maybe two. And she had the perfect black flats to wear with it.
    Chrissy’s was from the fifties. It was a delicate rose pink, fitted in the bodice, with thin spaghetti straps, and then it billowed out in a ballerina-like skirt. She did a little twirl in front of the mirror, and her dress spun out in a circle. Lauren thought the soft pink color of the dress made Chrissy’s auburn hair look