It's Nice To Have A Friend

8) Outfit

"Alice, are you awake?" Mary had knocked on her bedroom door, wondering if she was up yet. It was past ten already, and usually she had been up for hours. It made her worried.

"Yes," Alice mumbled from her bed, slowly opening her eyes, ending her slumber.

Mary dared to get inside, feeling in her gut that something was off. As her friend, she wanted to do anything she could to help her feel better.

"Is everything alright?" She asked, while sitting on the edge of the bed to look at her.

Alice sat up and exhaled deeply. She was sort of alright, but oh so exhausted.

"I never realized how much my body longed for Adderall. I feel absolutely awful. Fortunately I'm free from work today." Alice smiled weakly.

"I'm just exhausted." She sighed.

It definitely wasn't easy, and while she had found distractions ever since she started to quit taking the medication, in the mornings she couldn't help but feel that it was impossible to get out of bed. Every single day it seemed to be worse.

"Fred and I are both free today too, what do you say we'll do something together to help your mind take off things?" Mary proposed, believing it could cheer her up.

"That does sound like fun. What did you have in mind?"Alice asked curiously.

"We can go shopping for you? Help make you look like yourself again?" Mary wondered, knowing that after Alice had burned almost all her cardigans, she had trouble knowing what to wear.

"I think that will make me feel better." Alice smiled, truly appreciating the thought. Some new clothes would definitely help, if she could find something cheap that she could afford.

**

As promised, Fred and Mary had taken her to the mall that day, browsing through the fashion stores to find something fitting. Even Fred seemed to have fun in looking for outfits for Alice. If it made her happy, he was more than willing to go shopping.

"This seems to be more your taste, Alice." Mary held up an outfit that she has gathered, with black denim jeans, a cute top and a denim jacket.

"Wow, this is beautiful." Alice's eyes beamed.

"Try it on!" Mary said happily, wanting to see how good it looked.

Alice immediately took the outfit and made her way to the fitting rooms, followed closely behind by Mary and Fred.

"And?" She shoved the curtain open and showed them the outfit, wanting to hear their opinions. She felt the same as she used too and yet completely new.

"That's our Smithy, again." Fred beamed, loving to see the girl he once knew. Gone were the pencil skirts and cardigans, this is who she really was.

When Alice turned around in front of the mirror she caught the price tag on her denim jacket, which was already more expensive than she had ever assumed. Her face fell, realizing what it meant.

"What's wrong?" Fred asked, seeing her happy smile fade away.

"I can't afford this. This was a bad idea. I can't even pay for rent, how stupid can I be to think I can pay for new clothes?" Alice chuckled bitterly and got with her hand through her messy hair.

"Maybe if I save some money, I can buy it in a few weeks." She smiled weakly.

It was the only thing she could do, for now she just had to accept that money was tight. Paying rent and groceries was her first responsibility.