Battle of the Bands

Christmas Shopping

Chapter 9: Christmas Shopping

It was Friday afternoon and four girls were in Robyn, Elena and Lillie’s dorm, relaxing. Lillie was on her bed, reading. Alyssa on the floor, playing games on her phone. Robyn was doing homework with Bianca. At that moment, Elena bounded into the room, excitedly. “Girls, girls, I’ve got an idea!” 

Lillie looked up from the book she was reading, “What’s the idea?” 

“It’s time for CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!” Elena squealed. It was less than a week before Christmas, just 3 days left. I do need to get something for my dad and mum, Lillie thought.

Alyssa interrupted her thoughts at that moment, “Ok, sure, El. When were you thinking of going?”

“Yeah and where?” Bianca asked, putting away her Pythagoras sums. 

Elena looked her her friends, “Well, tomorrow the school has hired a few buses to take us to the village. I was thinking we could go. The shops have some nice stuff we can buy as presents. What do you guys think about that?” 

“I like it,” Robyn said. “Lillie’s also never seen the village. We can show her around.”

“Oh yeah!” Alyssa agreed, “That’s a great idea!”

“I take it that this village is nice, then?” Lillie asked, closing her book.

Bianca and Elena nodded. “Of course it is. It’s amazing!” Bianca said. 

Lillie grinned, “I can’t wait to see this village then.”

The five girls quickly got ready for their shopping trip. Bianca and Alyssa left the dorm to go to their own. Robyn and Elena changed quickly while Lillie went to the student ATM to draw some money. Back in her room, Lillie changed from tracksuit pants and a hoody to skinny jeans, a knit jumper and a black, blue and grey snow jacket on top. It was snowing outside. She put on her snow boots and grabbed a scarf and beanie for good measure. Robyn and Elena were waiting for Lillie outside their dorm. Robyn was wearing light wash skinny jeans, a thermal top with another long sleeve top over it and her thick parka to keep warm. Elena was dressed differently from both of them. She was wearing a light pink dress, with tight underneath. She had knee high boots and a trench coat/snow jacket. 

“Looking nice, Lil,” she complimented.

“Thanks, you too, El, Robyn,” Lillie said back. 

Robyn grinned, “Thanks. Come on, let’s go!” They walked to the entrance of the girls dorm building, where Alyssa and Bianca were waiting for them.

“The bus is coming in five,” Alyssa informed them. “We should hurry.” Taking her advice and hurrying, the five girls half ran, half walked to the bus stop. They made it just in time. In ten minutes, Lillie got her first glimpse of the village. 

She walked through the village, amazed at the English country feel in the village. It had a distinct English village style and the whole village looked, well...vintage. 

“This place is amazing!” she said, smiling as she turned her head from side to side. 

Elena smiled back, “I know right!”

“We love this place,” Bianca agreed. “Come here every time we get the chance.” 

“Well, mostly,” Elena corrected. Bianca just nodded. Alyssa and Robyn were ahead of Lillie and were talking about something.

“Guys!” Robyn called, “Let’s take Lillie to our favourite shop!” Immediately, Elena’s eyes lit up with excitement. 

“Let’s go!” She literally grabbed Lillie’s hand and dragged her to a store, while the others followed, laughing. Like the rest of the village, the store was made from grey stone. It was old, but had a welcoming feel to it. The roof was painted dark shade of green and the door panels had were the same colour. However, as old as it was, Lillie couldn’t see a speck of dust. The sign was a it rusted and the paint was peeling. It said ‘Vêtements, de nourriture et plus’.