When I Met Her....

The Shopping Trip

*LAUREL IN THE MEDIA*

The Shopping Trip

Laurel's POV

I roll over in bed to peek out my window in front of the desk next to my bed. The sun is beaming and is sending light all around the room. I smile to myself as I yawn. Then I remember the shopping trip I'm bound to embark on in a short matter of time. I don't know why I'm jealous of her and my dad. He's my DAD for crying out loud. 

I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom, turning on the shower that's separate from the giant jacuzzi tub. In the shower, I shampoo my hair, wash my body, rinse and step out. I towel dry and put on my underwear and panties. After thinking for a second I pull a pair of short shorts from my suitcase and a white flowing crop top, slipping them on. Easy on, easy off.

I pad down the hallway in a pair of white flip-flops and into the kitchen. My dad's sitting at the bar counter with Steph leaned over it, their lips locked together.

"Good morning." I say, plopping onto the stool next to my father.

Their lips break apart and Steph walks to the refrigerator.

"Good morning princess." 

"Good morning Laurel."

I fold my arms on the bar counter and set my chin on top them, not answering either greeting.

"Off to the hospital daddy?" I ask my father.

"I am. Your duty is never done as a doctor." He answers, rising from his stool with a portable coffee mug in his hand, "You girls have a good day."

He kisses me on the forehead then walks over to the fridge and kisses Steph. The same pinching sensation from last night resurfaces. He grabs his pager and his phone before he leaves out of the door, leading to the car garage.

"Are you hungry Laurel? I could fix you some breakfast." Steph asks.

"No thanks I'm not a breakfast person." I tell her.

"OK. How about a smoothie...or some coffee maybe." Steph suggest.

I hestitate. I've never had coffee before. 

"Coffee." I answer.

Steph smiles and turns around and walks to a cabinet, pulling out a gold portable coffee cup. She pours some coffee into the container then a caramel colored liquid. I think its creamer. She drizzles in 2 spoonful of sugar, stirs it in, then screws on the top, handing it to me over the counter.

"Thank you." I smile.

"Your welcome." She says, "Ready to go?"

"Yea, I'm ready." I sigh, sliding quickly off the stool.

Steph grabs her tan Michael Kors purse and a set of car keys. I follow her out of the back door and into the garage. Her car is sleek and black like my fathers. A Sentra SR. She clicks a button on the car remote and unlocks the door. Her red flip-flops smack as she makes her way to the driver's side, her hair flowing like Cher's from Clueless.

In the car, Steph and It's seatbelt clicks into their holders at the same time and she smiles before she presses a button to open the garage door and swerves out of the garage and into the scorching January sun.

****************

"Does the last one fit?" Steph calls from outside the dressing room.

"Uh..." I say, twisting and turning in the mirror, "I think so.'

"Well let me see." Steph says eagerly.

With Steph being so motherly all day, it has made me feel bad about being jealous of her and my dad. 

I step out of the dressing room and twirl slowly on the stage platform.

"They look great. Do you like them?" Steph smiles, clasping her hands together.

"I don't know." I say skeptically, "Capri's aren't really my thing."

"But you look so wonderful." Steph compliments.

A spark of guilt hits me for not liking her like I should, and the cold air of the outlet mall makes my eyes water. My own mother was never so kind and loving.

"I'll get them then." I smile, wiping absently beneath my eyes to keep the tears from falling.

"Ok then. Take them off and hand them to me and I'll put them with the others." Steph says, picking up her purse.

I step back into the dressing room slipping off the Capri's and holding them out under the door. Steph's hand reaches in and grabs them, her warm fingers brushing against mine. As I put back on my shorts I think about all the idle touches that have been passed all day. When we were in Charming Charlie's jewelry store I tried on a necklace and my hair got caught in the chain. Steph gently untangled my hair with thin wispy fingers. He light touch made me remember the days when my mother and me use to do things together, a long long time ago.

"Hey you. Are you ready?" Steph asks playfully, knocking on the door.

"Yea." I say, glancing at my reflection one last time before walking out of the tiny cubicle.

Steph is standing below the platform with colorful shopping bags hanging from her arms, 3 on each.

"Let me get some of those." I offer, taking the ones off her left arm.

"I think its about time for lunch, what do you want?" Steph asks.

"Something light. My stomach is a little uneasy." I frown.

"Are you feeling okay hun?" Steph asks attentively,  her hand light on my shoulder.

The supressed feelings of rejection and pain try to fight their way back up. She's too caring. I can't deal with it. 

"I'm fine." I move myself from under her hands.

Confusion and pain flashes quickly in Steph's eyes. Before I can apologize she changes the subject and her pained expression is gone.

"How about a salad." She says quickly, walking to the Salad Station restaurant.

I hurry behind her, my stomach plagued with guilt.

***********************

"So...what do you and my father usually do on Sundays?" I ask Steph, trying to spark up conversation.

She hasn't spoken to me since she suggested salad. I don't want her to be mad at me.

"Nothing special. Your father works early so we can have dinner together and I usually spend all day cooking and cleaning." She answers, looking down at her salad.

"Steph....I'm really, really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's fine Laurel. I understand." Steph says, tucking her hair behind her ear.

I can tell she's still mad, she won't even look at me. Well...I tried.