Living with the Harringtons

London spree

The group navigated through the crowded platform and hopped on the metro. Amid the chatter and laughter, Amaya finally felt lighter. Soon, the girls reached their stop and emerged onto bustling Regent Street. The air was crisp, a far cry from what she was used to in her hometown.

Stella and Kendall led the way into the first boutique, Liberty London. Amaya's eyes widened as she took in the high ceilings, elegant woodwork, and lush collections. Stella, Kendall, and Alice dove right into browsing, excitement radiating as they draped dresses, scarves, and jewelry over their arms.

Chloe brought Amaya over to a display of stunning evening gowns. "Look at this one! It would be perfect for you," she said, holding up a sleek, midnight-blue dress with delicate lace detailing.

Amaya hesitated, noticing the price tag—it was far out of her reach. She brushed her fingers over the soft fabric, momentarily caught in the dream of wearing it, then gave Chloe an appreciative smile before placing it back on the rack. "Maybe something simpler would suit me better," she said, trying to sound casual.

"No, try it on at least," Stella said, grinning. "I have a feeling it's going to look amazing on you."

With some nudging from her friends, Amaya found herself in the fitting room, slipping into the midnight-blue dress. When she stepped out, her friends gasped in admiration. The lace detail hugged her frame perfectly, and the dark blue fabric brought out the warmth in her eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Amaya, this is the one!" Alice exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "You have to wear this to the party!"

Chloe's eyes sparkled. "See? Told you! You look stunning."

Amaya laughed, her cheeks flushed. "It is gorgeous," she admitted, glancing at herself in the mirror. It was everything she'd imagined for a night at the masquerade. Elegant and alluring. But when she glanced down at the price tag, her stomach sank. It was more than she could afford, even with months of saving.

 Trying to keep her face neutral, she gently smoothed the fabric and turned to her friends with a small, forced smile. "It's beautiful," she said softly, fighting to keep the disappointment out of her voice. "But I don't think it's really me... maybe I should try something else."

Kendall looked surprised. "Are you kidding? It's perfect for you! Just look at yourself! You have to get it."

Amaya laughed, trying to sound lighthearted. "Maybe... but I don't know, I feel like it's just a bit too much."

Chloe tilted her head, studying Amaya with a frown. "Too much? Amaya, it's just right for a party like this. Trust me. Don't you like it?"

Amaya hesitated, then shook her head with a soft smile. "It's just not the right one, I think. I'll try something else."

The girls exchanged puzzled glances but nodded as Amaya slipped back into her own clothes.

Chloe, Stella, and Kendall went to the checkout to buy their pieces, while Alice declined, saying she hadn't found anything she liked. She insisted she had a dress at home she preferred. The girls didn't pay much mind and continued shopping. Still, Amaya couldn't shake the feeling that their worlds were vastly different.

It became increasingly clear that the girls were almost entirely unaware of life outside their privileged bubble. They laughed and chatted about their latest designer purchases, blissfully oblivious to the rest of the world.

After what felt like an eternity of browsing, Amaya's thoughts drifted to the deep blue dress she'd tried on. Maybe she could find something similar, but cheaper.

Taking a deep breath, she told the girls she wanted to go to TopShop to find a dress. The group  looked at her as if they'd seen a ghost.

"TopShop? Are you sure?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with disbelief. The others exchanged surprised glances.

"Yeah, I mean, they have some cute stuff there," Amaya said, trying to sound more enthusiastic than she felt. The girls didn't question her further.

"Yes I agree," Alice added.

Kendall clapped her hands together. "Then let's go find you a dress!"

With that, they made their way back through the bustling streets, their voices blending into the city's chaos. Amaya's mind raced with thoughts as they entered the store, a bell jingling softly above the door.

She scanned the racks, filled with vibrant colors and patterns, and finally found a dress that fit her budget: a long, black off-shoulder gown with a low-cut back. It wasn't nearly as stunning as the first dress, but it would do.

"Hey, check this out!" Amaya called to her friends, holding up the dress with a hopeful smile.

Chloe and the others gathered around her. "It's really cute!" Alice said, nodding approvingly.

"Yeah, it's simple but chic. Perfect!" Stella added. 

Amaya felt a rush of relief. "I think I'm going to try it on," she said, heading toward the fitting room.

As she slipped into the dress, she heard her friends chatting outside. "Amaya has such a unique style," Kendall said. "I love how she isn't afraid to mix things up. But I mean, for the ball...?" she questioned.

Amaya ignored the comment and stepped out. Her friends' reactions were mixed.

"You look amazing in this one, but I still prefer the first one, to be honest," Chloe said, and the rest agreed. "But if you feel like this one fits better, you should go for it," Alice added with a smile.

"Now we can find some masks to match!" Kendall said enthusiastically after Amaya purchased the dress.