Chapter 2

The rest of the week seemed to drag on. I still could not get into the mood for clothes shopping. Claire was the fashionista; I am happy wearing leggings and a comfortable top. High heels, dresses, and all the make-up just aren’t me at all, let alone having to go clothes shopping for them. Each evening after dinner I would retire early to my room or be caught listening to Claire and looking at her P*******t ideas constantly. Before I knew it Saturday had arrived and Claire was on my bed waking me up at 8am.

“Wake up lazy bones!” She shook me awake.

I had nothing in me besides a groan.

“We are going whether you like it or not, the alternative Leila is that I pick your outfit completely blind?”

“Fine, can you at least give me 20 minutes to wake up properly and get washed and dressed?”

“I will do you one better; we leave the house at 9am!” she shouted as she left the room.

I dragged myself out of bed, found the easiest, most comfortable clothes for shopping that I could and headed to the bathroom. After I had washed, dressed and dragged my hair into a ponytail I made my way to the breakfast island we had. Claire was walking around the sofa with piles of papers creating possible perfect outfit choices. I grabbed an apple off the fruit bowl and took a bite. Claire heard the crunch and looked up.

“You’re ready early.” She seemed pleased with me.

“Not until I have eaten.” I grumbled.

She huffed and went back to organising her designs. I watched the clock tick closer to 9am and waited for Claire to whisk me into the car. The longer she was distracted the better in my eyes. 9am came and on the stroke of the clock Claire was hurrying me out to the car. Claire had already planned in meticulous order which shops we were going to and when. Every detail was planned by the time spent in each shop, to how long we had to break for lunch, and included extra time for if we found the perfect dress.

The first 3 shops came and went quickly and luckily, I only had to try 3 dresses on in total and watched Claire for the most part and offered my opinion on her choices. Shop 4 was the one Claire was holding out hope would have the dress she had seen. As soon as she got inside, she spotted the dress she wanted and ran to the dress rail. She ran to the changing rooms before I had a chance to see it properly.

“Leila, I want your honest opinion on this one. Full critique not a half arsed one please.” Her voice was quite firm with me.

“Of course.”

Claire stepped out wearing a very low-cut red satin dress. She gave a small twirl. Although the dress was something I would never personally wear and was very revealing it suited Claire completely.

“That’s the dress!” I beamed at her.

“Are you sure?” There was a nervousness in her tone suddenly, almost like she was second guessing the dress she had spent most of the week obsessing over with various hair combinations and accessories.

“Yes, you wanted my honest opinion. It is 100% not what I would choose or would ever wear but it is 100% you. You look absolutely amazing.”

She ran up and hugged me tight for a split second.

“Well, I am just hoping my choice for you is as good as this for me.”

“As long as it is not as revealing I think we will be fine.”

“Leila, you have a body to die for. Slim but curvy and with the right dress you with have every man at the ball drooling over you.”

Before I could respond she disappeared back into the changing rooms. She picked out some bright red high heels to go with the dress and headed to the cashier. I was glad I did not have to try another dress on just yet.

Claire declared it was time for lunch according to her schedule and right on cue, my stomach rumbled. We found a little cafe in the center of town and had a quick bite to eat before she ushered me onto the next shop. I knew this was the point of no turning back, now Claire had found her dress, all the attention was on me and there was no escaping it. Sure enough, as we entered the next shop Claire was filing through all the racks picking out dress after dress for me to try on. The day was ending, and shops were getting ready to close when we had one more shop on Claire’s list.

“We have to find you something you like.” She sighed.