That's My Sister ➼ tas

Chapter 21

"Hey girls," I smiled as I sat down next to my friends in form. Kimberly gave me a smile, Layla gave me a hug and Poppy waved. "So, I need your help."

"Oh, we're totally down," Poppy said as she sat inspecting her cheeks in her small compact mirror. "What's up?" The three girls turned to look at me.

"I need help shopping - clothes, makeup, y'know. I hate my wardrobe."

"Oh, I was waiting for you to come to us about this!" Poppy squealed, snapping her compact mirror closed and placing it in her bag. She then proceeded to take out a small notebook with a feather pen slotted in the binding.

I blinked a few times, wondering if they'd known my wardrobe wasn't the best but didn't bother telling me - but hey, they were helping me now. "I've saved up some allowance, and even got paid a little when the radio station interviewed me and Taylor a few weeks ago."

"Okay, so we're not too limited by budget..." Poppy spoke to herself, jotting things down in her notebook. "I've got a list of some stores we can visit, so we'll do that after school."

"This is gonna be so much fun!" Layla practically squealed with joy.

-

The bell for lunch rang and I began packing away my books into my bag. I wondered out into the hallway in search of some friends to go to lunch with - I'd been sitting with Poppy and the group a few times here and there, but only when one of them approached me and told me to sit with them. Other than that I would make my way over to the table with Cameron and that. It was rather difficult, being torn between two friendship groups, because I desperately wanted to be close with both of them, yet they wouldn't do well being friends with each other.

Just as I was turning the corner into the cafeteria, Nick swung an arm around my shoulders and dragged be towards their table. I giggled at him as I followed his lead, quickly glancing towards the table of my other friends - when I looked over they turned their gazes away, but it didn't stop me noticing Amber roll her eyes.

"Hey, Cait!" Aiden beamed at me and moved a little so I could take a seat next to him. "Haven't seen you today, you alright?"

Okay, I'd admit it - I was majorly crushing on Aiden now. I hadn't told any of the girls, mainly because of how they said Poppy and him were always on and off. I wasn't ready for some stupid Mean Girls 'Cady and Aaron vs. Regina and Aaron' type scenario. But Poppy was currently taken by some year above boy on the football team, so I guess I didn't feel too guilty. Plus, Aiden had asked me out on a date for the following weekend - no way was my squealish inner teen girl going to say no to that.

"I'm good, you?" I smiled back.

"Great now you're here," Aiden gave me a playful wink, and I giggled again. I seriously never thought I was the giggly type.

"Ugh, will you two get a room," Nick rolled his eyes. My cheeks heated up a little as I quickly unwrapped my sandwich and began eating. Soon enough the girls sat down for lunch, Poppy going over details of our shopping trip with me.

At the end of the school day I met the girls by the lockers. Amber had hardly spoken to me in last lesson, and as she was sat with Jennifer, she hardly spoke to me either. Whatever was going on with them was annoying and I was beginning to think they'd become a little pathetic - why not just tell me what their problem was rather than conveying it through eye rolls and huffs?

"Right, we're going in there first," Poppy pointed towards a massive Topshop store. "This is probably our best bet for good clothing this season."

I followed her into the store and almost suddenly was I being covered in clothes to try on. Kimberly focused on jeans and skirts, whilst Layla focused on searching for shoes and a bag or two. Poppy was mumbling something about certain tops "totally bringing out my eyes" whilst Kimberly spoke about some jeans "really toning my legs". I just changed into whatever outfit they told me to and waited for their opinions.

I managed to spend around £200 in there, and I was a little blown away by how much I'd put towards it. I'd only brought a total of £350 with me, so I guess it was lucky when other stores didn't have many good items. After buying some frozen yoghurt from a vendor, I caught the bus home, my new wardrobe weighing down my arms.

-

"Is it bad if we go to Starbucks?" Taylor questioned, walking down the sidewalk in between Austin and I. Almost every second someone caught sight of my sister and gasped, but luckily the paparazzi haven't caught on. Just yet.

"Yes, I'm not looking to join the white girl club any time soon," Austin remarked. I laughed, linking my arm through Taylor's.

"Starbucks sounds good," I hummed as we turned the corner and entered the coffee shop.

"Hey, Cait, I like your outfit," Taylor smiled as we sat down at a table. I grinned to myself, proud that someone had noticed - at least the money spent was worth it.

"Oh, thanks! Poppy totally helped me choose a new wardrobe, she said I'm gonna look so good at school next week."

"Poppy helped you shopping?" Taylor questioned. "That's nice of her."

"Oh yeah, her fashion sense is amazing," I gushed, praising my new best friend. That's the thing as well - Poppy said we were basically best friends now, and it felt good. I felt in a secure friendship, and I was so excited to begin making memories with her.

"Well, don't forget, your sister knows a thing or two about a thing or two," she said before winking, causing us both to throw our heads back with laughter.

Austin sat down, placing three different drinks on the table. I reached for my strawberries and cream frappuccino, siping the cool beverage and smiling. Taylor took her maple latte and sat back in her chair. I looked out the window to see paparazzi beginning to crowd, but luckily they weren't allowed to enter the shop.

"Cait, I need a favour, I mean, if you like," Taylor began, leaning forward and placing her drink down. "I'm writing some new stuff for the album, and well, I'd really like you to contribute to it."

My jaw practically hit the floor, I stared at her in shock. "No way," I gushed in a whisper. "Really?"

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as I squealed. "I know you like song writing, and I'll even teach you some guitar?" She replied.

"Yo, what about me?" My brother lent into the conversation. I was still too overwhelmed - I'd always loved writing, and here and there I would note down sentences that would eventually evolve into lyrics. I couldn't sing at all, so these lyrics usually stayed hidden. A few weeks ago I'd shown them to Taylor over FaceTime and she genuinely liked them.

"Austin, you can play the triangle," I playfully sneered at him, in which he replied by flipping me off. I turned back to my sister. "Dude, I would love to help you write!"

"That's great, I got a few things tucked up my sleeve at the moment, but I know I definitely want a few songs to be a joint effort, y'know, cause I've finally got siblings in my life and I want to include you guys in what I do."

I couldn't stop smiling at the though, I was so keen to tell Amber. I suddenly sat back...I'd just said Amber, but then I realised how much she's been giving me the cold shoulder for the past week. I wanted to tell her because I know how much she adores Taylor - which reminded me that I still hadn't introduced them to each other like I'd promised I would. Well, I couldn't now that Amber was being a bitch. Oh well, I thought to myself. I'll tell Poppy instead, she'll be excited for me.

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as you can probably tell i couldn't be asked to write a load of detail lol oops i really wanna finish this lmao

something like 9 more chapters to go

exams in 5 weeks i am so excited !1!1!!!11!

~ shay xo

p.s. anyone recognise the drink taylor got in starbucks hint hint wink wink, ohhh secret lyric messages, those were the days