Always Together (One Direction AU)

Chapter 6

“What do you think they’re doing now?” India asked, flipping through a rack of clearance tops, sucking on the last of her orange julius.

“Most likely necking on a bench somewhere,” Ronnie answered blandly. “Whaddaya think of this?” she asked, holding up a shirt.

“I wish I could get away with horizontal stripes like you,” India sighed. “Go try it on.” Ronnie turned, snagging a pair of shorts off a table as she walked to the dressing room.

“At least you have a chest,” Finn grouched. “I will forever be mistaken for Jack.”

“Two words: back pain,” she said, holding up two fingers.

“Oh, boo hoo. There’s plenty of guys out there just drooling to massage you.”

“Oh, Finn. Don’t be so brash.”

“Oh, India,” Finn mocked. “Don’t use words before you look them up in the dictionary.”

“Is this me or is this me?” India held up a horrendous sparkly crop number.

“I sincerely hope you’re joking.”

“Sometimes I like to show my inner sixth grader.”

Finn rolled her eyes as a dressing room door opened. Ronnie walked past them to a mirror hung on the wall.

“Girl, your momma will never let you wear those shorts out of the house!” India exclaimed.

“Yeah, Ronnie. Keep dreaming!”

“Oh, hush,” Ronnie said, putting her arms at her sides. “They’re not that short.” Her hands hung completely past the hem.

“I can literally see your butt,” India said, ducking to avoid Ronnie’s backhand.

“You’re just too tall. The shirt looks good, though,” Finn said. India nodded in agreement. Ronnie huffed and retreated into the stall. India shrugged at Finn as if to say, well, you tried.

After Ronnie grudgingly bought the shirt and India paid for the necklace she got stuck in her hair, the three walked to the other end of the mall because India wanted her eyebrows done.

India laid back in the chair calmly. Finn laid down in the adjacent chair, already bracing herself for pain. The lady was still behind the cash register.

“India, are you sure I need this? I think plucking is sufficient for me,” Finn hesitated.

“Eyebrows can make or break your face. Just try it. I don’t think it hurts at all.” India waved Finn’s fears off, closing her eyes. Ronnie sat in a chair across from them, laughing.

“Wait, Finn, don’t get up. Let me get a picture first. I never thought I’d see the day!”

“Ronnie,” Finn whined. “It’s not funny.”

“India, how’d you get her to do this? Oh my God, can we take her to the makeup counter in Macy’s next? This is better than kush,” Ronnie gushed as the flash went off. “Would you mind posing with her for a picture?” she said, addressing the lady starting to unwind some thread. “I need proof.”

“India, just tell her. It’s not worth it. I have better ways to spend my money and nerve endings,” Finn said, sitting up and jumping off the chair.

“Tell me what?” Ronnie said distractedly, tapping on her phone.

“Finn, I’m not going to tell her. You have to,” India said calmly, keeping her eyes shut.

“You blackmailed me into getting my face yanked on and altered and you aren’t even going to tell her for me? What a friend.”

“Tell me what?” Ronnie said, her head snapping up. They had her attention now. Even the eyebrow ladies had, well, their eyebrows raised. India sat up.