An Ariella Story

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It was a free day and we were free to sleep in, see what we wanted to see, or shop where we wanted to shop.

"So what do you want to do?" Stazi asked as she applied mascara.

I honestly didn't know what I wanted to do. I had no camera to take pictures with so visiting a landmark was out of the question.

"Shopping?"

Her face brightened up at my suggestion and she nodded her head excitedly. Nastasia never passed up a chance for new things.

I got dressed in a pair of denim shorts and an old Beatles t-shirt. Stazi stood by the door waiting for me as I threw my hair up into a sloppy bun.

"You're going out like that?" she asked.

I shurgged my shoulders. "Yeah, why?"

"Your hair is so not suited for the French lifestyle."

She set her purse on an end table and started toward me. I backed away and then sprinted around the edge of my bed to get away from her. "Don't touch me! I think I look fine."

"Honey, if you're wanting to impress Gabe then you need to let me fix that nasty bun."

"I don't want to impress Gabe! I don't care what he thinks!" I quickly lied.

"Ella, come on. Just let me braid it or something."

"No."

We both crossed our arms and stood there staring at eachother, waiting for the other to back down. I caught Stazi glimpse at the time on her watch and her face took on a frustrated manor.

"Our shopping trips gonna be cut short..." I sang.

A sigh left her mouth. "Fine!"

She grabbed her purse and I followed her out the door with my hair the same exact way that I'd put it. 

My best friend was quiet in the elevator but became vivacious as soon as we hit the streets. Her pace quickened in her excitement to spend money. It was almost hard to keep up with her but I managed to shadow her footsteps. 

The first shop was full of shoes. That girl tried on shoe after shoe and bought almost every single one that she'd put on. Me? Yeah, I left with nothing. Shopping wasn't a hobby of mine.

Six stores later, we were weighed down with bags. All of which were Stazi's. Both of us stumbled back to the hotel room with our arms full of overflowing shirts and leggings.

I dropped the bags in the middle of the floor as soon as I entered our room. Sweat lined my brow and I sighed heavily before plopping down on my bed.

"I would've bought you something if you'd asked."

"I know." I replied. "I just didn't want anything."

She began putting things away in our temporary home. I watched her open and close dresser drawers, her eyes flickering to look at herself in the mirror every once and awhile.

When had my best friend gotten so conceited?

I quickly pushed that thought away, not wanting to compare her to my foster sisters.

I was sweating like a dog and I tried fanning myself with my hand. No luck.

"It's really hot in here. I'm gonna go for a walk." I said.

She made a "hmm" sound to show that she'd heard me. I fanned myself as I walked down the hallway toward the elevator.

Strong hands landed on my waist and firmly pushed me against the wall. A gasp of surprise left my lips.