TOXIC

❝ 3 ❞

     The later it got, the more anxious she got. Kai had texted her the time he was going to pick her up, which was 10, however; she had no idea what she would wear. Her closet was full of old tee shirts and skinny jeans, not much of club material. So she decided to go out to the Shopping Centre, find something a little more suited for tonight.

Crimson grabbed her bag and slipped on her sneakers, keys in hand. Her apartment building was a few blocks away from the Shopping Centre, so there was no need to drive. Placing her earbuds in her ears, she strolled down the street, eyeing all the small stores that she passed. She thought about Kai and that strange man he had brought with him to her father's flower shop. He looked so familiar, she just couldn't place it. There was also another thing about him... something that felt so... at home. Crimson didn't know if it was an attraction to him or what, but what she did know was that she'd had to get rid of them. Her emotions of course. She wasn't looking for another relationship.

The Shopping Centre was packed with teens and adults, all buying clothing that was either too small or too large; what ever suited their future image. Crimson wandered around, picking up free samples and looking into store windows. It wasn't until she stumbled upon a popping window front that she was enchanted. Walking into the store, an salesperson came up to her.  

"Hello! Welcome to "Tres Chic", how may I help you today?"  

"Hi! I'm going out tonight with a couple of guy friends and I wanted to find something appropriate for the occasion."  

"Right. Okay. Considering the space between "guy" and "friend", I can only assume you want a dress that screams "Look at me! I'm fabulous" but not "Look at me! I'm fabulous and available." She said with a smile. "Not to imply anything." 

"No no, it's fine. You're right. I'm single and that's how I want it to stay. However, I do want to find something that will make me look more like an adventurous girl rather than one that makes me looks like a desperate dork." Crimson said, looking down at her clothing. 

"Well if my opinion means anything, you don't look like a dork. You look like a comfortable girl who doesn't really give a flying fuck about what others think." 

"Bingo." Both of the girls laughed.

"Okay. So I have three dressed you can pick from and they're inexpensive." She said and pulled three dressed from two racks. She held up one of the dresses; a white short dress with long sleeves and a "V" neck. 

"This dress shows a little bit of cleavage, but the long sleeves indicate a kind of "not to be touched" vibe." She twirled around the second dress; a black sleeveless lace dress with a back cut out. 

"This one screams "I'm here to tease, but I'm also classy." Crimson smiled at the comment. 

"And this one," She showed Crimson the third dress, which was a black sweetheart dress covered in sparkling glitter. "This one says "I like to party, but I also like to hang home. Alone." Crimson raised her eyebrows at the last comment.   

"Meaning... I'm not bring anyone home but myself." Crimson laughed at the joke.   

"Well, which one?" The woman asked.  

"May I try the black ones on? I'm not to fond of the white one. One drink too many and it could turn another color." Crimson said as the woman handed the dresses to her.  

"As you wish. I'll try to find a pair of shoes to match. How about a pair of classic black pumps?" Crimson nodded her head and walked towards the back, to the dressing rooms.

She stepped into a booth and pulled away at her clothing. Slipping on the lace dress, she turned around, eyeing herself in the body mirror.

"Let me see!" She heard the salesperson call from outside. Crimson stepped out, twirling around.