Lorelie vs the Life of Summer Rose

Chapter 10

 One hour later and we've tried on everything there is to try. We browsed and picked, put things back, didn't take some things off and left the dressing room in completely new outfits. That part I was sceptical about, but the stall-keeper assured us, over and over again until I swear her eye was twitching, that every article being sold had been washed or dry-cleaned, because apparently small-businesses had time to do that and they weren't going to sabotage us like a massive franchise would.

I finally feel a little bit more like myself.

"Did you really dress like this everyday?" Summer asks, comfy in her dusty orange knit-jumper and wide-leg jeans. She's right— bright colours do bring about a glow to her face. Her tan, freckled skin seems a little bit warmer, like caramel melting in a pot. It's even brought out hazel flecks in her eyes. She's watching me from the log next to the standing mirror, entranced by the way I spin and turn, scrutinising myself.

"If you think this is a lot, then I usually dress worse," I say. "I've just decided that my normal fashion isn't functional for the English countryside. I've had to make some modifications."

'Modifications' doesn't mean what I'm wearing right now is the most practical, either. And it also doesn't mean it's any less alien. I know that I probably should have opted for a more sturdy outfit— especially in these elements— but I fell a little bit too in love with the satin green maxi-skirt stashed at the back and the fitted, long-sleeved pink button up with a sweet-heart neckline in the sale area. The matching platforms I found were just luck.

... Now that I think about it, this might actually be worse. At least I could move around in my usual outfits. In these ones I've fully embraced that my only ability out here will be to sit pretty— which, in all honesty, isn't that bad.

"If only I had makeup," I lament. "You should have seen me, Summer. I would coordinate my makeup with my outfits. I was literally a god at mascara. Ugh."

"What else did you do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, makeup..."

"Oh, I also loved skincare. And haircare. I had a lot of accessories. I miss my jewellery too. Damn." It's coming back to me, the way my ears used to jingle with layers of heavy, dangling earrings, the pearls on my neck, the kiddie-clip section of the jewellery section I would spend ages perusing, so much so and so often that the workers stopped questioning me and started complimenting me for making it work. "I was a real girly girl, Summer. I wanted to be like the movies."

"You are like the movies."

"Thanks."

"Um, well..." Summer counts our change. "If I don't get this, then we can—"

"No." I quirk a brow. "Your first time shopping is a big deal, Summer. Make the most of it."

"But you only have that." Summer gestures down at her own bags. "And I have all of this."

"And?" I move my hands through my hair to tame the tangles in the mirror. "I'd be upset if it were the other way around. Besides, nothing else interests me here. I'm very particular. I know what I'm looking for and it isn't here."

"Do you think you can get any of what you need from here?"

"Not really." I smile wryly. "A lot of the products I will probably have to order online. My skin is very sensitive, so I don't know about trying different things on my face just to make do."

"I can order them," Summer says. "If I put the rest of this money in my account we could even do it tonight."

I hate that I can feel myself brightening with excitement. "We can?"
"Yeah. I mean, you're a city girl. Nobody is expecting you to just adapt."