Who's Shadow

Mr. Hollister

Shop 'til you literally drop. Is Lulu faithful motto. We've been at the mall all day and she has managed to buy five bags worth of outfits and I have managed a pretzel. I'm frugal with my money, it's not a crime even though Lulu would beg to differ.

We hurried to the mall as soon as school let out so that we could shop for outfits to my lovely best friends first wild high school party tomorrow night. She can't decide on what to wear because everything seems perfect and I can't decide because nothing seems perfect. This is always my dilemma.

Walking into Hollister I let the wonderful smell of cologne fill my nose. The marvelous smell made me think of Jase. I pulled out my phone to text him when I was engulfed by a hug. I look up and see Ocean hugging me. "Hey, Brainiac. How's shopping going? Lulu killed you yet?" Ocean has worked at Hollister for a year now and as his best friend I come to see him as much as possible.

"Hey, Sweet Cheeks. Shopping is actually going awful I can't find one thing that I like. And yes I think Lulu is killing me slowly!" We both laugh as we walk over to a pile of clothes he had been folding when I had walked in. I noticed it was the swim trunks he was actually wearing at the moment. Seeing as it is almost summer all the guys working are in swim trunks showing their glorious V-lines and all girls where either in bikinis or sun dresses. "Well if you would like, I think we have a dress here you might like?", He questions me.

I gave him a doubtful look raising one of my eyebrows and then signaled for him to lead the way. As we walked and weaved through the store to the back I couldn't help but think of Jase. Should I text him while with my best friend or should I wait? I guess I can wait.. Or maybe not! My phone buzzed as I pulled it out of my turquoise jeans. I tapped on a new picture message from none other than Jase. It showed him lounging in a hot tub with Parker saying they wish I was there with them. Jase looked really happy but Parker.. he looked, well, I'm not sure. Angry? Upset? Sad? All I know is it's not a happy feeling .Parker Billingley you are a mystery to me. 

Ocean had stopped walking before I could register it in my mind and I ran into his bare back. He turned around and looked at me with big blue eyes and said, laughing a little to hard, "Watch it, sister, I might think you're starting to fall for me." My eyes widened in shock making him laugh harder. "No, sorry, I was.. I was looking at an.. um text.. I mean picture that came through um, a text and I.. I.. I.."

"It's okay Brainiac, I'm just messing with you!" He then reached up to grab this gorgeous white dress. It had lace all over. It was tight from the top all the way down to the hip and that's where it flared out in every which way. It was strapless and came a little below mid- thigh. Gorgeous. But who would have thought you would find this in Hollister. Ocean held it out to me and positioned it in front of me so that it would look like I was wearing it. He had even picked the right size! My face, I'm sure had faded from all the blushing from a few seconds ago and is now lit up with excitement. This dress is The One, it's perfect!

"Okay, how do you know me so well? Not only is this the perfect dress, but you also know my size? Talk about the best, best friend ever!" I jumped up and hugged his neck as I wrapped my legs around his waist being careful not to drop my dress. "Well I'm not that great," he reassured me, "but you should try it on before you buy it."

"Oh yeah, or course! Would you mind, Mr. Hollister employee, on taking me to a changing booth?" I asked my blue eyed best friend. "Of course, my dear Alice." He linked our arms together as we walked to the middle part of the store. "Alright, wait here. I want your opinion on how I look." I begged him.

"Okay, just hurry. I have to work at some point, Alice." I left him so I could change. I closed the curtain behind me as I stripped off my white shirt and turquoise jeans. It left me in my matching black lace underwear set. I pulled the white dress off the hanger and slipped the gorgeous dress over my head. I pulled the zipper up as far as I could, but it wasn't enough. "Hey, Ocean?" I called out nervously.