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“Come on, Spencer,” Gianna urges, reading my thoughts from my expression. “It’ll be fun, I promise! And besides, when was the last time you treated yourself?”
A sigh escapes my lips, and I nod in agreement. Maybe it’s time I stepped out of my comfort zone, even if just for an afternoon.
“Alright, let’s do this,” I sign with growing enthusiasm, brushing the sawdust from my clothes.
Gianna claps her hands in excitement, and together, we head out for our little shopping trip. Little do I know this will lead to so much more than just a new wardrobe and a fun day out with my best friend.
Reluctantly, I glance back at my workshop, the nightstands waiting for their transformation. My fingers twitch, itching to pick up a paintbrush and create something beautiful. But Gianna is already impatiently tapping her foot, her wild curls bouncing with every movement. “Spencer, come on! It’s time for some retail therapy!”
“Fine,” I sign, trying to hide my reluctance. Yet, I can’t deny that I’m curious about what Gianna has in store for me.
As we walk through the outlet mall, I realize the shopping trip isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The sun warms my skin, and the smell of salt from the nearby ocean wafts through the air, mingling with the aroma of food court pizzas and pretzels.
Gianna leads the way, chattering away like a magpie as we weave in and out of stores. She fills the time with stories and jokes, making me laugh without even realizing it.
“Okay, let’s find you some jeans!” She exclaims, dragging me into a trendy boutique filled with distressed denim and colorful tops. As I browse through the racks, Gianna continues her one-woman show, offering commentary on potential outfits and daring me to try on things I never would have considered before.
“Hey, look at these!” She holds up a pair of high-waisted jeans covered in embroidered flowers. The colors are bold and bright, just like Gianna’s personality. “These are perfect for you, Spencer. Trust me.”
I hesitantly take the jeans from her, unsure if I can pull them off. But when I catch a glimpse of myself in the dressing room mirror, I feel a spark of excitement. The jeans fit like a glove, and the vibrant flowers seem to be an expression of my own blossoming confidence.
“See? I told you!” Gianna exclaims triumphantly when I show her. “Now, let’s find some underwear that’ll make you feel as amazing as those jeans do!”
“Really, Gianna?” I sign, raising an eyebrow at her enthusiasm for this particular mission. But she’s already pulling me towards a lingerie store, her laughter ringing like bells in the air.
In the end, I leave the mall with several new pairs of jeans, a collection of lacy underwear, and a new pair of sneakers—all thanks to my effervescent friend Gianna. As we drive back home, I feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety about my upcoming escapade with Percival Hills. But just like these new clothes, maybe it’s time for me to embrace the unexpected and see where life takes me.
Stepping into the familiar warmth of our home, a smile pulls my lips up at the heavenly scent of Aunt Fiona’s baking wafting through the air. Gianna bounces in beside me, excitement radiating from her as she clutches our shopping bags.
“Look what we’ve got!” she exclaims, holding up one of the bags like a trophy. Aunt Fiona beams at us while Aunt Orla narrows her eyes, clearly not as enthusiastic about my upcoming road trip with Percival.
“Spencer, I’m worried about you going off with that man,” Aunt Orla says while we sit around the kitchen table. Her stern features softening just enough to show her concern. “He’s a womanizer, and you barely know him.”
I love Aunt Orla very much, and she’s always the voice of the reason. Also, I’m sure she’s trying to protect me from the world around me. But now I’m a grown-ass woman who can take care of herself. Not the same sick kid my mother left at their doorstep.
“Orla, relax,” Aunt Fiona chimes in, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron. “She’s a grown woman, and she’s allowed to have some fun. Besides, he’s so dreamy and seems genuinely grateful for what Spencer did for him.”
She’s not wrong. Percival Hills is what dreams are made for. Even if they are not meant for me.
“Exactly!” Gianna adds, nodding vigorously. “And just look at these amazing clothes she got! It’s time for our girl here to live a little!”
Their words wash over me like a comforting wave of support, though Orla’s worry still lingers in the back of my mind. As much as I want to embrace this new side of myself, the fear of the unknown is hard to shake. But before I get too lost in my thoughts, I remember I need to text Percival.
Me: Where are you taking me?
He replies, a playful tone evident even through the screen.
Him: Let’s just say it’s somewhere you’ve never been before.
Me: Somewhere I’ve never been? That could be anywhere!
I shoot back, grinning despite my nerves.
Exactly.
Percival responds, his message accompanied by a winking emoji.
Him: Trust me, you’ll love it.
