A Second Chance

Catching Up

"How about this one?" Naomi held out yet another outrageous outfit.

Focused on a particular style of shorts, Rae merely turned to glance over her shoulder. It only took one look, "Absolutely not."

Her friend rolled her eyes with a vexed huff. "Oh come on Rae! Every girl needs a bikini for the summer, and for these prices it's practically a steal!"

Filing through a different clearance section, she shook her head as she tried to withhold a smile. "Trying to appeal to my interest in saving isn't going to work. I think I survived the last nineteen years just fine without one," she countered, swiping another hangar down the rack.

Jutting out her hip, Naomi stared at her hard. "Just buy one," she insisted, once again dangling the skimpy attire in front of her face.

Side-stepping away, she gave her friend a tired look. "I'm not comfortable with wearing something that shows all of me, you know?"

Naomi was quiet a moment, then she shook her head in disagreement. "You are one of the most athletic people I know, Rae. And as competitive as hell. This will just enhance the hard work you've put into staying in such great shape." Holding it out to her, she pressed, "If you don't buy it for yourself, I will."

Rae hated when she pulled this card. Of course she wasn't going to let her friend buy it with the poor wages she received at the local cafe. Most of the time she just paid using her monthly allowance anyway, and Rae was not going to have her break into those savings for her sake. Besides, just because she would now own a bikini did not mean she was going to wear it, and Naomi would never be the wiser. A heavy sigh was her giveaway as she took the swimwear with resignation. She didn't miss Naomi's victorious smile as she turned down the adjacent aisle.

"You gotta live a little!" she laughed at her downcast expression. "Come on, let's checkout. There's one more store I wanted to hit before we grab a smoothie."

Following her lead, Rae considered flinging the bright red nylon cloth onto a random rack, but decided against it for her friend's sake.

After paying for the shorts and the bikini, she stuffed the receipt in her single shopping bag, and followed after a struggling Naomi.

Her friend seemed to feel obligated to purchase something from every store they walked into. And that always led to interesting situations that never ceased to entertain her, such as right now. It appeared that she was having a difficult time squeezing out of the glass door with six bags in hand. Each crease in her fisted fingers were likely screaming from the weight. And it only proved to be burdensome the longer they walked; the bulkier bags constantly bumping against her thighs as she walked.

Rae eyed her with an amused smile, "Need a hand?"

Naomi, as stubborn as ever, promptly declined. "You take care of yourself and I'll handle my own luggage thank you!"

"Yup, me and my one bag," she teased with a smirk.

"Hey, it's not my fault you didn't buy much of anything. You should thank me now that you got a hot bikini to add to your lacking wardrobe."

She almost tripped over herself at such an inane statement. Even if it were partially true, it was suited for her needs, and right at the top of her list was feeling comfortable and confident. What more could she want? Clothing that showed more of herself didn't exactly fit either of those necessities. Feigning insult to her words, she eyed her friend carefully. "Who said my wardrobe was lacking?"

As if reading right through her, Naomi scoffed, "Oh please, I bet, if given the chance you'd live in a sweater and leggings for the rest of your life."

Rae took it with stride and grinned, "Doesn't sound so bad to me. And since when did you become the fashion queen?"