CHAPTER 11: Wardrobe Makeover

KELVIN'S POV

It was a warm, sunny day on campus, and i was leaning against my car, waiting for Kelly to arrive. I tapped my foot impatiently, checking my watch every few seconds. I was eager to see her, to spend some time together. The past couple of days had been fun having her around.

To wrap it all up, her presence made going back to school easy for me. I couldn't wish for any other better thing.

As i waited, my mind began to wander to darker places. I started to worry that Jimmy and his friends might be bothering Kelly again, that they might be making her life difficult. I felt a surge of protectiveness towards her, a need to keep her safe from harm. I knew i would do anything to keep her from being hurt.

Just as I was ready to stump back into the building, I saw her, coming towards me with a smile on her face. I breathed a sigh of relief, my fears dispelled. She was okay.

She was here, safe and sound. And that's all that mattered. My gaze fell upon her, and i couldn't help but smile. She looked radiant, her eyes sparkling and her skin glowing. She was wearing a simple dress, but it looked stunning on her.

She smiled at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "What's with that goofy grin?" she teased, giving me a playful nudge.

"I'm just happy to see you," I confessed, my smile growing wider. "It's like the sun came out just for you." I teased, but truthfully she had such a smile to warm my heart. This was an ordinary girl effortlessly making me smile.

Kelly rolled her eyes, but she couldn't suppress her own smile. "You're such a cheeseball," she said, giggling.

"Guilty as charged," I said, grinning. "But I know you love it so just get in the car," I said, opening the passenger door for her. "We're going somewhere special."

Kelly looked at me quizzically, but she got in the car. "You're being awfully mysterious," she said. "Where are we going today?"

"You'll find out when we get there," I said, a twinkle in my eye. "Just trust me"

She hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Okay," she said. "I trust you.Kelvin"

My smile widened as i started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Kelly sat back in her seat, her curiosity piqued. I could see the look in her face.My heart was full of hope as i drove. I just hoped she would let me treat her well in every way possible.

The car came to a stop, and Kelly looked out the window, her eyes widening. We were at the biggest mall in the city. She turned to me, a frown on her face, her expression a mix of surprise and unease.

"So, this is a shopping mall," she said, her voice laced with skepticism, her eyes scanning the sprawling complex with a mix of surprise and unease.

"Guess we're about to find out," I said, a hint of amusement in my tone, as I opened the car door and stepped out, waiting for her to follow.

"I knew it. You were too good to be true. You’re ashamed of my dress code aren’t you?" She asked, heartbroken.

"No. Absolutely not. Look Kelly, I didn’t mean to offend you in anyway. I just want to help my friend. Remember you told me you'd loved to blend in, and not feel out of place" I said trying to sound convincing.

Her jaw dropped and she stared up at me for some time before gracing me with her beautiful smile. "We are friends?" She asked bewildered.

I grinned, my eyes dancing with amusement."Yes. I think. Wouldn’t you want me to be your friend?"

"Well, it’s such a big deal for me. Bagging myself a friend as you." She said nudging me. For the record, she was my first friend so the feeling was mutual.

"So, Friend, Ready to shop?" I smiled.

"If you would help me pick out the clothes, yes I am. Friend." She chuckled, her smile growing wider. I was a goner every time she let out her smile.

"Deal." I smiled back. I led her in determined to find the right outfits that would make her look even more stunning. I wanted her to feel confident and beautiful, to feel like she deserved the best. And i also knew that she deserved to be free from the bullying that Jimmy had put her through.

Inside, we dived straight to browsing through the clothes.I made suggestions, guiding her towards clothes that would suit her figure and personality. I had a good eye for fashion, and i was able to put together some stunning outfits for her. I was happy she was delighted by the choices i made, by the way i knew exactly what she would like.

She began to feel more and more confident, her self-doubt fading away, our friendship growing to something more than I thought before.

Soon, she had a whole selection of clothes, all of them perfect. She turned to me with a huge smile on her face. "Thank you," she said. "You're amazing at this. You're my own personal Superman," she said, laughing. "You've saved my ass from Jimmy, and now you've saved me from the fashion disaster I was committing."

I laughed along with her, a warm, happy feeling spreading through me. "I'm glad I could be of service ma’am ," i said, bowing with a flourish. "I live to serve."

This was a new me, a me I never knew existed.

She laughed again, shaking her head. "You're such a goofball," she said, playfully swatting my arm. "But I like it."

Something about how she always playfully nudged me. No one ever made as tiny as a joke around me. Well except my grandmother.

"And you are such a, Princess," I said, my voice full of affection and my jaw hurting from the smile. "It's an honor to serve you."

Kelly blushed. "I'm not a princess," she said, her voice a little breathless. "I'm just me."

"Well, to me, you're a princess," i said, my eyes shining. "And I'm your humble knight, at your service."

She smiled, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "You're ridiculous," she said, but her eyes betrayed her fondness for me.

This was almost the fourth time now that I mentioned being at her service. This was likely to be me. I grew up to only ever be servicing where I’d get something in return, and I knew I was going to be needing something. Maybe I knew it from the first time I saved her from my asshole little brother.