This story is a work of fiction. All characters are at least 18 years old.
"I can't believe this Paulie. You're eighteen and already more successful than most adults will ever be. You have more talent than most of New York combined. And you think you're a failure because you're a virgin?"
Paul Moretti handed the cash over to the hot dog vendor and gave Elli a stern look.
"Look. You're too shy. Hell if any girl knew you were the creative genius behind Myst..."
"ELLI! SHH." Paul cut her off. She was one of few people who knew what he did.
****
It all started from his mother who was a talented fashion designer in her own right. Paul grew up in his mother's shop and from a very young age learned how to sew. In fact that's all he ever wanted to do. When other boys were playing with GI Joe's, he was making dresses for Barbie's. When other boys were in sports Paul would study patterns and read fashion magazines.
It didn't take long for Paul to start drafting is own patterns and create his own garments. His mother guided him along but Paul took to it naturally and with ease. His mother insisted Paul show off his designs in the front window but was reluctant to do so.
"It's not good enough." He always said. He was too much of a perfectionist.
"What's the point of making all of these if nobody is going to he able to enjoy them?" Loraine asked her son. "Your designs and craftsmanship is just as good, if not better- than mine."
So Paul picked the best dress he did and displayed it on a mannequin in his mother's shop. His big break came shortly after his 18th birthday.
"Paulie dear. You know that actress Megan Marcrott?" Loraine said casually.
Paul didn't bother looking up from his fabric as he grunted a yes.
"Well, she just stopped in. She asked about the black dress in the window to wear at a red carpet event. However I told her it wasn't mine and it wasn't for sale."
"MOM!" Paul gasped and dropped the shears he was holding. He finally turned to face his mom and she was grinning ear to ear.
"Haha good one. Can I get back to work now?"
"I'm not lying." She handed her son a business card. "She wants your dress."
Paul reached for the card and studied it. Then the realization hit him.
"Mom they are gonna ask who is she wearing. And if kids at school found out then I'm gonna be picked on even more. I can't have my name out there like that."
"Suit yourself. But this doesn't happen to someone your age very often. Plus you don't have very much longer to go. You're a senior now. How about you sleep on it? Let me know tomorrow."
So Paul thought it over and came to the conclusion he would create a brand called Mystique. He would hire someone for PR and would keep his name out of the lime light.
"Mystique. I like that. I think it has good marketing potential. Good job son. Now let's give this actress a call."
Paul was so nervous when Megan walked in through the shop.
"You must be the genius designer behind the dress I fell in love with!" Megan said giving Paul a hug.
Paul felt his face blush as her breasts pushed up against his chest. It was a nice warm feeling for him though and he didn't want to let go.
"How much for the dress?" Megan asked.
"I think.." Loraine started to talk however Paul cut her off.
"No mom I got this. You can have this for a loaner, for free. As long as you promise not to mention my name just mention the brand Mystique. I'm serious I don't want people to know who's behind it."
Megan thought over his words but seemed disappointed.
"If you still want to buy my dress afterwards I will sell it at a discount." Paul said with a smile.
"That will work. You're such a sweet young man." Megan gave him a peck on the cheek.
The magazines ate it up. Paul's dress was the talk of the fashion world and everyone wanted to know who was behind Mystique. It wasn't long after that Paul had designed his own clothing line and put on his own fashion show. At the end he stood in front of a white curtain and a light showed his silhouette. The thunderous applause of the audience sent Paul to cloud nine. He hired a lawyer to broker deals for the Mystique brand and to appear on television. Everyone wanted to know him.
***
"I don't get it Paulie. You're around beautiful women all day but yet you can't talk to them?"
"Well don't I talk to you?" Paul said between bites of his hot dog.
"You're not trying to sleep with me are ya?" Elli said with a cheeky grin.
Paul thought about that for a moment. He looked at her blue eyes and her shoulder length blonde hair.
"Paul Joseph Moretti are you telling me you wouldn't sleep with me?"
Elli usually only used Paul's full name when she was mad, however he could tell she was only messing. Paul pinched her oversized hoodie.
"I don't know El. Maybe if you wore something that showed what you were workin with."
Elli dropped her lower jaw and threw the last bit of hotdog at him.
"El. Maybe we should? Ya know. We both never done it. We are both eighteen and seniors. And you're the only one I'm comfortable talking to."
"Yea Paulie I don't know if that's a good idea though. No offense. You're pretty cute. It's just sex can complicate things. I'm not sure I can do a no strings type of deal. We have been good friends for years now."
"Yea you're totally right. Sorry I was just thinkin is all. Anyway I gotta go back to the shop but let me walk you home."
***
"I heard Mystique is going to release a new winter collection. My father's friend is friends with Craig, the Mystique Lawyer. I'm sure I can get access to it early!" Paul laughed and shook his head while he overheard some girl spew lies just to seem cool. It was the end of second period and already he wanted to go to work but instead he mindlessly walked to his next class. Until someone pushed him against the lockers.
"Out of my way ass hat." Stupid jocks, Paul thought to himself.
"If only he knew who designed the hoodie he was wearing." Elli said appearing from behind.
"I'm not gonna out myself."
"You sound like you're gay. Are you gay Paulie boy?" Elli Teased him.
"Only for you, love." He said as he put a finger under her breast and flicked it up. Elli responded by punching his shoulder.
He hated school so much he thought about dropping out. The only two things that kept him going was Elli and the fact that a lot of the student body wore his clothes. Elli was right though. If only people knew what a trend setter Paul was.
"Paulie. You still going to the dance with me tonight right?"
Shit. Paul thought. His mind has been on his work lately and it slipped his mind. Thankfully he had already cleared his schedule.
"I mean it Paulie don't be late this time. Pick me up at 6."
"Come on El. What if I run into Ashley Turner and she needs a date?" Paul teased. Elli punched his arm again. Ashley had been his crush for many years, but so far doesn't know he exists.
"Damn it Paulie that's not funny. This is the first formal dance I've been to. You're gonna actually see what I'm working with. I'm wearing a Mystique dress too." Elli said with a wink.
Paul leaned down a bit so he could whisper in her ear. "El why didn't you say something? I could have given you a dress for free or made you something special."
"Paulie first off you got people that actually pay thousands for your dresses and that's what you should be focusing on. Secondly your mom gave me all the hook ups. I got the dress shoes makeup and all for free. Pick me up at six. Don't be late"
***
Paul gave himself a once over in the mirror and ran a comb through his black hair one last time. The suit he wore was one of his own handmade down to the last stitch. The black fabric was offset with red trim and he looked sharp. He wanted to choose a dark blue one, but his mother insisted the red would match Elli's dress.
The traffic in Brooklyn was terrible but fortunately Paul left with plenty of time to make it to Elli's apartment. He pulled up to Elli and her family waiting by the front door.
"Pictures first!" Paul heard Erica, Elli's mother, shout before he even opened the door to the limo.
He stepped out of the limo and stopped dead in his tracks. Paul recognized the fiery red dress she wore but he barely recognized Elli. Her shoulder length blonde hair was professionally styled and her makeup brought out her blue eyes. The sweetheart neckline plunged just a little bit deeper to show a bit more cleavage. She looked absolutely stunning.
"Paulie pick your jaw up off the ground and come take some pictures will ya?" Elli said smiling. She rarely wore anything to show off her curves but she loved the reaction she got while wearing his own dress.
***
Elli pressed herself closer into Paul as they slow danced for the final song. She had to admit there were butterflies in her stomach and a not so familiar feeling stirring in her groin. She thought about what Paul had mentioned the other day. Maybe they should sleep together, she thought.
"Paulie. I want to take you up on your offer." She whispered into his ear.
"What offer is that?" Paulie looked at her quizzically. He let his hand drop right above her butt.
"About us. Ya know. Being each other's firsts."
That took Paul by surprise. So much in fact he stood up straight and kind of turned his body. At the same time Ashley Turner was walking right behind him. He ended up knocking her into the refreshment table causing her to splash punch and soda all over her white dress.
"Shit!" Paul exclaimed. He grabbed some hand towels and started to dry her dress off. Suddenly he realized he had his hands on her breasts. He dropped the towels and his face turned as red as Elli's dress.
"Oh. My. God. This dress is a Mystique! It cost a fortune!" Ashley screamed out. She could barely hold back tears.
"Shit I'm really sorry. Really really sorry." That's all Paul could say. But then he realized what she had said. The dress she was wearing wasn't one of his. Ashley had been duped.
"Sorry doesn't cut it here! My parents are going to kill me! You'll need to pay me for this."
Elli watched quietly at the interaction thanking God the dance was about over.
"I can't go home in this dress. This has to be fixed." Ashley continued, embarrassed and fuming.
"Damn Moretti. You're gonna have to work three jobs to pay for that." One of Ashley's friends chimed in.
"I can fix this. Let me take Elli home first and then we can go to my mother's shop." Paul already had his plan worked out. He had plenty of dresses ready to go, all he had to do was do some alterations for Ashley's size.
