Alyssa sat on the bus talking to a young gecko girl as a cacophony of voices rose around them. Orchid colored eyes looked through thin, circular rimmed glasses and into the forest green eyes of her friend as the world passed by outside. Both girls tittered at a shared joke prompting the squirrel's light dusting of freckles to be highlighted by the blush flashing across her nose and cheeks. A pair of buck teeth peeked out under her upper lip while her friend's tongue flicked out as she talked with a lisp. Dressed in a simple lavender sweater and light blue jeans that covered most of Alyssa's body, the young squirrel's black sneakers and red coat finished up her attire, while her friend wore a pair of baggy jeans and a thick cream colored sweater. Like her friend, the gecko wore black sneakers, that mirrored her own skin, and a beige winter coat that helped to contain much of her red curls. Neither of them seemed to pay attention to the tan chinchilla in the back, or her cadre of other girls. They both knew that prim, proper, and practically perfect Priscilla was leering right at the pair with those robin's egg blue eyes, framed by her blond hair, but aside from staring she hadn't said or done anything else to the squirrel or gecko. Her perfectly manicured nails poked at her book-bag while she held the strap in a death grip. A pair of black leggings and gold sweater dress covered her hourglass figure, while a pair of furred snow boots covered the teenager's feet and legs up to the calves. When her stop approached, Alyssa picked up her backpack's strap. “I'll see you tomorrow at the park.” “Okay! See you then Alyssa!” “Bye, Maggie.” Stepping off the bus caused Alyssa to leap onto the sidewalk and turn around to wave goodbye to her friend as the yellow and black vehicle passed her, turning the corner. After a two block walk, she strolled up the driveway toward her home, her fluffy tail twitching to either side as she reached the door. Opening the door, she heard the sound of the vacuum running in the hallway as she called out “Mom! I'm home!” The vacuum stopped for a few seconds before her mother poked her head out of the hallway. “Alyssa! Welcome home!” she smiled, her pink and purple dyed hair fell across the right side of her face, while the left side was shaved down to allow for half on inch of hair.“I have snacks ready in the fridge, and you got some mail. I put it on the table.” “Thank you, mom.” Taking off her shoes, she walked over to see a small package 'My new headphones came in! Yes!' she then saw a card in her name, the name on the corner making her smile 'Awesome! A Christmas card from dad, and-' her hands stopped moving as she found the cardboard envelope. Pulling the easy open strip, she opened the container and reached inside to find a six by eight inch portrait. Sitting down at the table, she smiled at herself and the male beside her in the small portrait. She had seen Martin from a distance, for months, usually helping people in her neighborhood with their yard work, and getting a few extra dollars for the assistance. Alyssa smiled at the memory as she thought back to that day she saw him working on her mother's lawnmower.
* * * * * * * * *
After being teased and tormented by Priscilla about not getting a potential date for the Winter Formal, Alyssa was on the verge of tears when she saw Martin barely on the inside of their garage, his hands moving as the sound of a ratchet sounded as he unscrewed a spark plug from the engine. “Uh...” she started to say, only for the mink to look up and smile. “Hello, you must be one of Claudia's daughters. My name is Martin.” He stood up, and initially started to hold out his hand to shake hers, but then saw the oil and grease on it, and withdrew the greasy appendage. “Sorry about that. She saw me working on Mrs. Naigiri's rhododendron bush, and asked if I could find out why your lawnmower wasn't working.” “Oh. I'm Alyssa.” She looked at the nearly disassembled mower engine. “N-Need any help?” “Helpful and cute? Wow!” Martin gave her a small smile “No, I'm alright, but thank you for the offer.” Pushing some hair back behind her cheeks a little, she could feel her cheeks warming. “Okay, then I'll just head inside and start on my homework.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “If my mother forgets to say anything, thank you in advance.” “You're welcome, Alyssa.” she felt her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped animal as she passed the garage and went in the front door. Once it closed, she pressed her back against the wood surface, took a deep breath, and let out a squeal as her mind screamed 'HE THINKS I'M CUTE!!!'
* * * * * * * * *
Although she could've talked to him again after that, instead Alyssa hid in her room, trying to relearn how to breath and think at the same time. She knew why she was so afraid to face the teenage mink, but she couldn't let her mother or sister know. The former would've considered it cute, while the latter would've teased her mercilessly. Over the course of the next couple of days she decided to forget about the possibility she would be able to talk to Martin again until her sister, Bethany, wanted to go to the local park. She didn't want to go, and made every excuse in the book, but her sister had made a promise to her school friends, and whined about not being able to meet up with them. Claudia, tired of the constant whining, gave the girls some money for the bus, and told them to go to the park that day.
* * * * * * * * *
'A big sister's main job is to look after her younger sister.' her mother pounded that little nugget of information into her brain from the moment she was ten, and her sister was only six. The bus pulled up to a small station, and the two girls exited with a couple of others. Walking to the crosswalk, the pair then went across when the lights changed, allowing them to cross. They reached the park seconds later, with Bethany running straight for the climbing dome where a pair of skunks were already climbing on the inside, with one hanging upside down. Watching her run off to start climbing with the other two girls, the trio laughing and giggling at each other caused Alyssa to smile as she walked over to a bench and sit down. 'Why didn't I think to bring a book?' the teenager sighed as her sister continued to play, laughing with the other pair before someone sat down next to her. 'Oh god! Don't be a creep!' “Hello, Alyssa.” Blinking, she turned to look at the teenage mink. “Martin? What are you doing here?” she asked with a gasp. “Looking after my little sisters.” he then motioned to the twin skunks. “We come here every weekend.” Over the course of a morning the pair talked about school, their hopes, dreams, and plans for the future, until he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. “Sorry, but I have to take this.” Bringing the smart-phone up to the side of his face, she heard one side of the conversation. “Hey, mom.” he paused. “No, we're still at the park.” He blinked and glanced at Alyssa. “Lunch? Yeah, I'm pretty sure the girls can eat.” He smiled. “Chicken and Jo-Jo potatoes would be wonderful. Oh, hey, we have a couple of friends here with us today, would it be alright if-?” A chuckle left his mouth. “You're the best, mom. We'll see you when you arrive.” She watched as he nodded. “Thank you again, and I love you too.” When he hung up, she blinked at him. “You don't mind having lunch with us, right?” “I-I could eat...” Alyssa remarked. “We'll have to tell Bethany that when we mean eat, she has to sit down because when she gets excited she doesn't want to stop playing.” “Yvonne is the same way.” Martin laughed, and the pair continued their conversation until a pure white mink with blonde hair, and a statuesque build, arrived with a couple of bags of food, and a jug of juice with some disposable cups. When he saw her, the white mink motioned for her to approach one of the picnic tables. “Girls! Lunch!” he called to the two skunks. Both twins climbed down from where they were playing, leaving Bethany dangling from the backs of her legs. “That means you too, squirt!” Alyssa called out, only for her younger sister to blink and watch as she motioned for the younger squirrel to join them. Lunch was an entertaining affair, with Martin's mother, Andais, asking all sorts of embarrassing questions of the two teens. Alyssa was about ready to die from the constant teasing, but the mink talked as if this was a normal occurrence in his household. When the twin skunk-marked minks were full, they bounded back to the playground while Bethany finished the rest of her Jo-Jo's and chicken strip. Yvette ran over, to let them know the twins needed to go to the bathroom, and ran off to separate stalls. Bethany let them know that she had to go to the bathroom too, and headed off, only for Andais to casually ask. “Is there any chance you two are going to start dating?” Alyssa spit her juice halfway across the table, while Martin shook his head. “Rule one around my mom; never take a drink if you're alone with her. She will cause you to spit it out.” Martin commented, patting Alyssa's back. “I-I... I don't...” Martin shook his head, “Clearly, mom, she already has a ton of boys vying for her attention, so I doubt I have half a chance.” Alyssa looked at the mink as if he'd just grown a second head. “Wh-What?!” Shaking her head, she gasped a little. “No, I don't!” “Oh, come on! Pretty little thing like you?” Andais smiled at her. “I bet you're beating them off with a stick.” She didn't know what to say, especially to the mother of a boy she desperately wanted to date. “I-I... sorry, but no I don't.” Wrapping an arm around her front, she lightly rubbed at her arm, looking down at the table. “Guys want the pretty girls, the ones that are done up like models. I'm just-” “Honestly, I think you're very pretty.” Alyssa's jaw dropped when Martin said that, her eyes blinking repeatedly. She didn't know what to say, do, or think. The boy that she had been fantasizing over for the past several months had just called her pretty! Not just pretty, but very pretty! She was sure her mind needed a hard reset for crashing immediately after his statement.
* * * * * * * * *
A laugh issued from Alyssa's mouth as she thought about how awkward their attempts at asking each other to the dance were. She thought back to how Martin was just as nervous with her as she was with him, but hid it with either jokes or gentle sarcasm. When he finally did ask her to the dance, it was mostly because he danced around the question for several days. Placing an elbow on the table, she let her eyes roam over the handsome mink in the black shirt and suit. 'Considering everything that he and his mother made happen that day, he could've let me ask, and I would've been fine with it all.' Her memory of Claudia telling her that they had no money for her dress when she told her mother about Martin asking her to the dance nearly broke the poor girl's heart. Alyssa tried her hardest to understand why she couldn't have a dress, or get herself made up like all the other girls, but looking in her closet at dresses two and three years old that barely fit, had her in tears. On the day in question, she dressed in a sundress that made her blush as with each step, she saw her panties when the skirt bounced. Pulling on a pair of her black leggings, she entered the bathroom only to find that she had barely anything other than lip gloss. The teenage squirrel remembered crying as she tried to do something with her hair, and what little she had to work with as far as make-up was concerned.
* * * * * * * * *
Andais pulled up in front of Alyssa's house to find the young woman standing in front of her home wearing a tan sundress with flowers all over it, the skirt barely covering the tops of her thighs as she approached the woman's silver Chrysler 300. Martin stepped out of the passenger's side and made to open the door, only to see his date looking down. When he gently took hold of her arms, she shook with tears falling down her face. “I'm sorry.” she sniffled “I tried, but-” Neither of them noticed that Andais had emerged from the driver's side of the car, to approach the pair. “Sweetheart, what's wrong?” “I-I didn't have a dress, and this” she sniffled, “my mom didn't have any money, or makeup, and she left with my sister earlier, so I-” Both of them watched as she broke down crying. Looking the squirrel over caused Andais to shake her head. “This is wholly unacceptable.” She watched as Alyssa started crying harder. “Front seat right now, young lady!” Shaking her head, the teenage squirrel hiccuped at the tears flowing down her face. Alyssa was urged to the door, and helped inside by Martin, as his mother returned to the driver's side. “Don't worry. Mom's only upset about the situation.” he whispered into her ear. Pulling up her phone, the matron of the Thomas family made a call. “Eliza? Yes, this is Andais.” Clipping her seatbelt into place, she pulled away from the curb only when she was sure both her son and his date were buckled. “I have a young woman in need of a dress. What do you have in a nice winter formal?” She listened for a few seconds. “Eye color?” She looked at Alyssa, and used her finger to bring the girl's face up. “A purple color, something akin to lavender or orchid.” A few seconds later, she smiled. “We'll be there in ten minutes, have all available sizes, and matching shoes ready.” “Wh-What?” Alyssa gasped, wiping at her tears. Hanging up with that first phone call, she then smirked at the teenager as she made a second. “Ah, Mathéo, bon jour mon ami adoré!” she gave a small giggle “Espèce de flirt incorrigible, j'adore m'en dire plus.” Andais then giggled. “Non, non. J'ai une situation avec une jeune femme qui a besoin d'être coiffée, maquillée et manucurée en urgence.” Her already happy smile became even more broad. “Oui, Oui. Merci beaucoup! Je t'en dois une. Nous y serons dans une demi-heure.” After that, she hung up the phone, and glanced to the side. The poor teenager was practically shaking as she asked “Wh-What did you just do?” “Alyssa, do you want your own personal fairy god-mother?” Andais asked, watching the road. “I... W-What?” “Do you want a new dress, and to be pampered like you've never been in your life?” Looking at the female mink, she shook her head. “I-I couldn't possibly-” Andais turned to regard her, “Do you want to go to the dance in this dress, or in a different one? One that will actually fit?” Looking down at her dress, she could see part of her upper chest through the stretched out fabric so that her lack of bra was visible. Heat colored her cheeks. “I-I don't want to go to the dance in this-” “Good.” She smiled back at Martin. “I'm going to drop you off at the restaurant. Order for you and your date, by the time we're back, the food should be getting to the table, and I will pay for it when we return.” “Okay, mom, and tell Mathéo I said 'Hi'.” Five minutes later, they were pulling up in front of a chain Italian restaurant. Martin exited without so much as a word, only a light squeeze to his date's shoulder, before his mother pulled away. In less than two minutes, they crossed the street and into a fashionable boutique's parking lot. Andais parked near the front doors, her tail twitching as she left her car, and motioned for the teenage squirrel to follow. Alyssa followed at the beckoning, a shiver going down her spine as she watched the mother of her date sauntered across the road. Running to catch up to Andais had Alyssa pulling down on her skirt with every step, her round hips begging to be seen by all in the area. Once they were in the shop, the matronly mink called out “Eliza!” while spreading her arms wide. A tall, debonair vixen emerged from behind a desk, having already brought a small closet full of dresses up next to the fitting rooms. “Oh, it's been too long, Andais!” The fox stepped up to the mink, the pair kissing at each other's cheeks. Dressed in a teal suit coat, white blouse, and black skirt, the woman turned to look at Alyssa. “My, she's a cute one!” Glancing at the mink, she smirked. “Adopting more children?” “Nope!” Andais laughed. “I don't need any more.” She then stepped over and wrapped an arm around Alyssa. “This is Martin's date for the Winter Formal dance.” Eliza brought her hands up to her muzzle. “He's dating?!” she then winked at Alyssa. “He's a lucky boy to get such a cute squirrel.” Waving at her friend had Andais chuckling. “Okay, Eliza. We left Martin at the restaurant, and we have one more place to go after this.” “Mathéo?” Andais nodded with a smile “Mathéo.” Urging the teenager over to the collection of the dresses, she took Alyssa's measurements before Eliza searched through the collection of dresses. “Please step over here, dear.” she brought the dresses up to her face, and when she found the one she wanted, the fox pulled it down and slipped it into her arms. “Go try this on, and if you need help I can come in with you.” “Oh, um, thank you.” Alyssa's brain was still trying to reset from Andais talking to her before she ever stepped into the car. Going into the nearest fitting room stall. Wriggling out of the dress, she did the same to the leggings, initially taking her panties with the black coverings. Once she had both off, she replaced her panties and slipped on the dress. The color matched her eyes perfectly, the orchid purple flowing over Alyssa's hips and legs until it stopped at her ankles in the back, but just above her knees in the front. Connecting the latch for above her tail, she was able to zip up to her lower back. The entire dress was backless with a mandarin collar that attached behind her neck, so when she connected those latches it helped to hold her breasts in place with forming cups. The lace between her bosom and neck changed her fur color, but she couldn't help love both the fit and look of the dress on her. “Are you alright in there?” “I-” she opened up the door and wanted to cry as Andais smiled at her. “You look beautiful, Alyssa.” Lunging at the mink, she wrapped her arms around Andais with tears in her eyes. “Thank you!” Eliza removed the tags, and slipped a pair of shoes the same color as the dress under her feet, letting Alyssa step into them. Once they had paid for the dress and shoes (and Andais asked Eliza to destroy the sundress and leggings) the pair left, only to get into the car and head for their next stop. Upon entering the salon, ten minutes later, she was nearly struck dumb as Mathéo emerged from around the front desk. “Andais! Ma magnifique reine!” Again, she watched as the black male poodle took the mink's hands in his, and kissed at her cheeks. “What can I do for-?” he suddenly stopped and looked at Alyssa. “Une nouvelle fille?” Andais giggled at his question “No, but someone just as important as a new daughter. This is Martin's date for the Winter Formal.” She then smiled. “Now can we have English? I don't know if she knows French very well.” “Mmm, I am thinking Martin will love teaching this one the French tongue.” The way that Mathéo said that made Alyssa want to scrub herself clean. “You have come to me with a challenge?” “Can you do anything with her hair?” Alyssa stood still as he walked around her, checking her hair length and consistency, before he shook his head. “I need her ready in an hour.” “She will be a challenge.” Mathéo then looked at Andais, “For you, and Martin?” he then shook his head. “Non! For this lovely lady, however? I will work my magic!” It took an hour of a strange man running his fingers through her hair, scrubbing it clean of her own shampoo, and adding something that probably cost more than half of her mother's budget for groceries, but when he started really working his magic, the young squirrel shivered at the feel of his claws scraping over her scalp, gently pulling on her hair, adding something she couldn't even begin to describe, and curling it with long fashion implements. After that hour, and with Mathéo pulling off the cape with a flourish, he turned Alyssa toward Andais, who was keeping her eyes on her phone for the most part. “She is” he let out a soft sob of pride in his work, “perfect!” The mink's eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. “You have outdone yourself, Mathéo.” Andais then stepped up. “Now for my contribution.” She started to apply a light bit of eyeshadow, and gloss to Alyssa's lips. Taking a step back, she motioned for the teenager to look in the full-length mirror. The absolutely gorgeous woman in the mirror looked out at Alyssa with shock. “I-Is that... me?” she asked, looking at Andais and Mathéo for confirmation. Both nodded, and she felt like crying again, only this time in joy. “Thank you. I-I don't know how to repay you.” “Have fun tonight, and let my son spoil you, Alyssa.” Andais lightly touched her shoulders. “He is going to love how you look, so let him enjoy the spectacle for as long as he can.” “Okay.” When she arrived at the restaurant, she stepped out of the car with Andais walking in with her. The entire wait staff couldn't keep their eyes off the young squirrel while the matronly mink asked for the bill for Martin's table. After she paid, she had one of the waiters escort Alyssa to the table. She turned the corner to see her date sitting at a central table, and although she was anxious about being stared at, the moment Martin's eyes locked on hers, she blushed at his jaw dropping. Standing up, he held the chair out for her, and helped to scoot it in before returning to his own seat. “I hope you don't mind, but I ordered the soup of the day, and the lasagna.” “I love lasagna!” Alyssa's eyes widened as their soup was brought out.
* * * * * * * * *
Alyssa remembered how they sat, talking about everything that had happened in their short life-times, her memory of Andais' generosity always in the back of her mind. Even more than a month later, and the mink had yet to ask for anything in return. 'I just hope she liked my thank you card.' She could hear her mother starting to come into the kitchen, so she picked up her stuff, and headed back toward her bedroom. “Anything in the mail?” Claudia asked as she started to pass her daughter. That caused Alyssa to stop and smile, showing the Winter Formal picture. “Yes, the Winter Formal picture Martin bought for me.” “Honey! It's beautiful!” Claudia blinked. “Where did you get that dress?” “Oh, um... Andais rented it for me. She wanted my Winter Formal to be special, and I really didn't have anything appropriate for the dance.” Claudia sighed “I'm sorry we didn't have enough to get you a new dress, but at least you had fun, right?” Giving her mother a broad smile, she nodded. “I did, mom.” She decided to keep her answers vague, but added. “Martin was an absolute gentleman, and I loved going to the dance with him.” She then headed for her bedroom. 'I also loved the jealous looks Priscilla and all her friends gave me while I was on the arm of the most handsome male there!' Once inside, she set the packages on her desk, and stared at the picture of her and her mink date.
* * * * * * * * *
After dinner, the two of them were driven over to the dance with Andais reminding them to call when they needed to be picked up. Upon entering the gymnasium, and seeing Maggie, the pair walked over to introduce Martin the to adorable gecko. It wasn't hard to keep from noticing the chinchilla over by the snack table, glaring at the trio, but Alyssa did her best. She introduced everyone to her date, they went out onto the dance floor, danced during the slow songs, and made their way back during a few of the faster ones. When the photographer asked if they wanted a picture together, Martin agreed, paying for the portrait. Alyssa wanted that night to last forever, for him to keep her on that dance floor, shuffling and shifting to the slow songs, holding her close and talking during the fast ones, and helping her to ignore the fluffy rage that was Priscilla. She knew it couldn't last forever, but the best part was when they had to crown the king and queen of the Winter Formal, and Maggie won. Everyone expected Priscilla, but the cute gecko was truly the one to change the most. She even got a chance to dance with her crush. It was sometime around eleven when Martin called his mother to come pick them up. Alyssa was still energized from one of the best nights of her life when they stopped in front of her house. Giving the young lady an escort up to her door, she pulled the key from around her neck and unlocked the door, when she turned around, though, she chewed on her lower lip. “I had a really good time, Martin.” Martin smiled “That makes two of us.” Wrapping his arms around the squirrel, he hugged her, letting Alyssa enjoy being wrapped up in his warmth one last time that night. “Can we... um...” she started to ask, her body shivering. “Don't worry, we will definitely see each other again.” He watched as she leaned up and kissed his cheek. He did the same to hers in response, and let her go into her house. He went back to the car, with Andais driving them back home while Alyssa danced to her room, stripped out of her clothes, and got ready for bed. Hiding the dress and heels in her closet, she washed her face, and slipped into bed. She had barely been there a half hour when the door opened to reveal a sleepy-eyed Bethany. “When did you get home?” Her sister yawned. “About twenty minutes ago. Want to snuggle?” “Mmhmm.” Bethany mumbled as she walked over, and slipped into the covers with her sister. “Good night, Bethany.” “M'nigh, sis...” within seconds her sister was asleep, and in less than ten minutes so was she. * * * * * * * * * Looking through a drawer of arts and crafts, she sifted through until she found an appropriately sized picture frame with the glass still intact. Setting the picture into the frame, she pushed the backing into place and cinched it down. At the sound of a trimmer starting across the yard, she set her elbows on the desk, her cheeks in her hands as she watched Martin starting his yard work for their neighbor, a sigh escaping her lips at the sight of the fluffy-tailed mink.
Alyssa returns home from school to find a cardboard envelope addressed to her. Opening it up brings back memories of the time when she was asked to the Winter Formal by the lone male she's had a crush on for months.
