Riley and Val oneshots

People of color

Riley and Val have been best friends since middle school. Both girls are excited as they walk into "Chic & Unique," a trendy boutique in town that everyone raves about. They've been planning this summer for months, eager to spend it together while earning money and indulging their shared love of fashion.

"Can you imagine us working here? It's like a dream come true!" Val beams, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement as she fingers the edge of a stylish jacket on display.

Riley grins, nodding in agreement. "Totally. We'd be the best duo they've ever hired."

They both fill out applications, laughing and chatting as they do. A few minutes later, they hand their forms to the store manager, Mrs. Edwards, a middle-aged woman with a sharp, business-like demeanor.

"You girls have great energy," Mrs. Edwards says, eyeing them both. "We'll be in touch soon."

Riley and Val leave the store, feeling confident and hopeful.

A few days later, Riley receives a call from Mrs. Edwards offering her the job. Overjoyed, she immediately calls Val to share the good news, assuming her friend has received the same offer.

"Val! I got the job!" Riley shouts into the phone.

Val's voice on the other end is subdued. "That's great, Ri. I'm really happy for you."

Riley pauses, sensing something is off. "Wait... you didn't get a call?"

There's a long silence. "No," Val finally says, her voice heavy with disappointment. "They said the position was filled."

Riley's heart sinks. She knows Val was just as qualified—if not more—than she was. Something doesn't feel right.

Determined to figure out what happened, Riley decides to visit the store and talk to Mrs. Edwards. She can't shake the feeling that something unfair has happened.

When she arrives, she notices a new girl, blonde and blue-eyed, behind the counter. Mrs. Edwards is nearby, giving her instructions.

"Mrs. Edwards," Riley approaches cautiously, "Can I ask why Val didn't get the job? She was really excited about it."

Mrs. Edwards glances at the new girl, then back at Riley, her expression slightly guarded. "Oh, Val? Well, we just had a lot of applicants, and we had to make some tough choices."

"But she's just as qualified as me," Riley insists, her voice firm. "Maybe even more."

Mrs. Edwards hesitates, then sighs, lowering her voice. "Look, sweetie, you seem like a good girl, but sometimes we have to think about what's best for the store. Certain... appearances are more appealing to our clientele."

Riley stares at her in disbelief. "Are you saying Val didn't get the job because she's Latina?"

Mrs. Edwards gives a tight smile. "I'm just saying we have to consider all factors."

Anger wells up inside Riley. She can't believe what she's hearing. "That's not right," she says, her voice shaking with emotion. "Val deserves to be here just as much as anyone else."

Mrs. Edwards's expression hardens. "I think you should get back to work, Riley. You have a job to do."

Riley turns and walks out of the store, her mind racing. She knows she can't let this slide.

Riley calls Val immediately after leaving the store, explaining everything she's just heard.

Val listens quietly, her emotions a mix of anger and sadness. "I knew something was off," she says softly. "But hearing it out loud... it hurts, Ri."

"I'm so sorry, Val," Riley says, her voice full of guilt. "I can't believe I'm working for someone like that."

"It's not your fault," Val assures her, though her voice wavers. "But what do we do now?"

Riley thinks for a moment. "We can't let her get away with this. It's not just about you—it's about everyone she's judged unfairly. We need to make this right."

Together, they hatch a plan. Riley decides to confront Mrs. Edwards publicly, hoping to bring attention to the injustice Val and others might have faced.

The next day, Riley walks into "Chic & Unique" with Val by her side. The store is busy, filled with customers browsing the racks.

"Mrs. Edwards, we need to talk," Riley announces loudly, drawing the attention of everyone around them.

Mrs. Edwards looks up, surprised to see Val with her. "Riley, this isn't the time—"

"It's exactly the time," Riley interrupts, her voice strong. "You didn't hire Val because of her race, and that's not just wrong—it's illegal."

Gasps ripple through the store as customers stop to listen.

Mrs. Edwards's face pales. "I don't know what you're talking about—"

"Yes, you do," Riley cuts her off again, her anger giving her courage. "You said it yourself, right here yesterday. But we're not going to stay quiet about it."

Val steps forward, her voice steady despite the hurt she feels. "I'm proud of who I am, and no one should be treated differently because of the color of their skin or where they come from."

A murmur of agreement spreads among the customers. Some begin to pull out their phones, recording the confrontation.

Mrs. Edwards looks around, realizing the situation is spiraling out of her control. "I... I didn't mean it like that," she stammers, but it's too late.

Riley holds her ground. "We're not going to let this slide, Mrs. Edwards. We'll be reporting this, and we'll make sure everyone knows what kind of person you are."

Mrs. Edwards says nothing, her face a mask of shock and fear.

Riley and Val leave the store, their hearts pounding. They know they've done the right thing, but it's still a lot to process.

Over the next few days, word spreads quickly. The confrontation goes viral, and the community rallies behind Val, calling out the injustice and demanding accountability.

Mrs. Edwards is forced to publicly apologize, and "Chic & Unique" faces a significant backlash. The store eventually changes ownership, and the new management makes a point to hire a diverse staff, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity.

Riley and Val grow even closer through the experience, their friendship stronger than ever. They've learned an important lesson—that sometimes, standing up for what's right means challenging the status quo, even when it's uncomfortable.

As they sit together in a local café, enjoying a celebratory milkshake, Val smiles at Riley. "Thank you for standing up for me, Ri. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Riley grins back, her heart full. "We're in this together, Val. Always."

They raise their glasses, toasting to a summer they'll never forget—one where they didn't just work for a paycheck, but made a difference in their community.

A few weeks later, Val receives a call from another boutique, offering her a job. This time, it's a place that values her for her skills, not her appearance.

As she starts her first day at the new job, Riley stops by to surprise her. Watching Val confidently assist customers and thrive in a place that appreciates her, Riley knows they've won more than just a battle against one person—they've helped create a future where everyone can shine, no matter their background.

And that, they both know, is worth everything.