She is Not Who You Thought She Was

Chapter 39/Nothing Less For My Bestie

The tutoring wasn't assigned until next week so I was able to enjoy the rest of this week without any other school tasks besides regular homework.

After parking my car in the drive way I leaned on the back of my car waiting for Flora to arrive so we can go dress shopping. I folded my arms across my chest and waited. I was some what excited, but felt like I didn't know what to look forward to. Clearly, compared to Flora's closet she treats shopping as her cardio. I spotted Flora's Range Rover come down the street behind her and Rock's black car following. I pushed my self off my car watching Flora pull into her own driveway and Rock pulled in next to her. I made my way across the street and watched Flora hop out of her car as I approached her. She closes her door and turns to me.

"Sorry babe I got to run in and grab something. Be right back." She said quickly as she started to walk towards the front door. Rock got out of his own car as soon as she walked past him. I looked at Flora's car so I wouldn't have to make eye contact with him. After what happened in the hallway earlier today, just his presence makes my heart race. I felt awkward which is odd because I thought we were finally past that. I bit my lip trying my best not to feel the tension.

"Blue."

"What?" I gave my self whiplash with how fast I turned my head. He wasn't even looking at me and I was wondering if I had imagined his voice.

"Blue. Wear blue." He still didn't look at me and walked away as soon as the words left his lips. My lips parted slightly and I stared. As soon as he got to the front door it opened and I watch Flora and Rock exchange a look. I'm getting sick of their twin telepathy and want to know what they are saying with just one look.

"Got it!" She held up a pastel purse above her head. "Let's go." She said as she got closer. I walked to the other side of the car, but not before taking one last look at the front door.

***

"Where are we shopping?" I asked as Flora put coins into the parking meter.

"There." She pointed to a small shop across the street. The outside had Greek styled stone design. "Same place my mom and I got our dress." My stomach dropped because I started to feel unsure if I was going to be able to afford anything in this expensive looking boutique. "Also, don't worry about money, it's on me." How did she read my mind? "Think of it as a finally friends gift." She said as we made our way across the street.

"Oh no it's okay I can pay for it myself Flora." She stopped at the door.

"No I want to buy it for you. If you feel uncomfortable then I won't get you anything for Christmas." She winked at me. She pulled open the door and let me enter first.

Pastels and blinding whites attacked my eyes...in a good way. I am met with a small desk to my right and a waiting area to my left. The chairs were cushioned and had a white and gold theme making me feel like I had entered a palace. The gold theme was trickled throughout the store along with the crown molding and the delicate pink design on the walls. It was safe to say that the color scheme was gold, white, and pastel pink.

"Miss. Flora." A woman with red hair in a neat bun greeted her.

"Hola Señora Pérez. Mi amiga Scarlett." I closed my eyes for a moment. I should've known. I wished to be struck down this very moment as I opened my eyes again.

"Escarlata." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, remembering Enrique used the same name for me when I first introduced myself.

"Just Scarlett Señora Pérez." Flora corrected her before I had the chance. Señora Pérez nodded with a 'Ah okay' face.

"This way señoritas." She said sweetly. I thanked the universe for at least the small amount of English being used.

We passed the first room and entered the back of the boutique which looked more like a private area. To my left was comfortable couch seating with the same detailing as the waiting areas seats. In front of them was a small pedestal and a three top to bottom mirrors. On my other side there were several racks with dozens of dresses on them. Another woman stood by a curtain which I assumed to be the dressing room.

"Are these all for me?" I whispered to Flora as she started to search a rack closest to her. Flora giggled sightly and I looked at her curiously.

"Nothing less for my bestie." Flora smirked happily. I couldn't help a smile at the cute term 'bestie'. "So have you thought of a color or style." She said still searching on the same rack. "Oh I love this." Flora mentioned as she stared at a forest green sparkly dress. "Set this aside Señora Pérez." She did as Flora asked. "Babe?" She turned to me.

"Oh, uh, color..."

'Blue. Wear blue.' Rock's deep voice echoed in my ears.

"Blue."

"I love it!" Flora clapped. "Bring me all your blue dresses!" She announced loudly. The ladies in the room scurried off the minute Flora ordered them. We stepped over to the couches and flopped down.

"They just listen to your every command don't they." I laughed slightly and Flora picked up a magazine.

"They should. I own it." Flora said nonchalantly flipping through the fashion magazine. My jaw dropped.

She owns this shop?

"Like you own it or your dad does?" I asked to confirm. She glanced up at me.

"I own it. It's in my name, but don't get me wrong obviously my dad was the investor that helped me get it off the ground, but now that it is thriving I own everything else. I have financial mangers and etcetera to help me with the business aspect, but besides that it's mine." She smiled proudly. "I won't just be going to school for fashion I want to take a business class as well so I can open more stores, but I want to do it by myself and not with my daddy's money." She giggled a little.

"That's amazing Flora." I mumbled. "I wish I was as ambitious as you." I thought deeply.

"Do you have any idea of what you would want to do? Like at all?" She set the magazine down and leaned forward eager for an answer. I honestly have no idea what to do after high school. My whole public life is a lie. How can I live after high school without knowing myself.

"I honestly don't know." I admitted.

"Well what do you like to do?" Flora asked. "That's what my mom asked me and I knew what I wanted to do the second she said it."

"Um..." Well I don't hate reading. Clothes are fun. I don't mind playfully bickering with Rock. Rock... "I'm not sure. I'm good at school..." I answered with a shrug. Flora laughed loudly.

"So is Rock, but it doesn't mean he is going to be a science professor." She laughed more.

"Hey! Stop making fun!" I shoved her playfully and held in my laughter. She stopped and I took the chance. "Is he actually applying to all those schools your dad mentioned?" Flora paused and turned her gaze to the ground and a frown started to form as if someone pulled down on the corner of her lips forcefully.

"Only because he is making him." She said sadly. "I honestly don't know what Rock is doing after graduation either. I guess he will go to one of the schools he applies to, but I doubt he will be happy about it or even if he knows what he will do when he gets there." She finished. My mouth started to turn into a frown too as my heart felt like it shrunk.

"It's hard to make a decsion that will determine who you will be for the rest of your life."

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P.K.