little secrets // chim (ON HOLD)

Chapter 10

22nd of September 2016

"Hi," Cheryl smiled warmly at Charlotte before she gave her a hug. "Are you ready for our day? I love your outfit, by the way. You look beautiful." Charlotte blushed, but nevertheless returned the smile. She adjusted the arms of her reddish knitted sweater after she pushed some of her hair out of her face.

"Where are we going, by the way?" Charlotte asked. Cheryl pouted and stared into nothingness. She scratched her head, trying her best to come up with something.

"Is there anything you'd like to do?" The mother asked her daughter. Charlotte thought about Alex's birthday dinner and realised she had nothing to wear. Well, nothing that was good enough to meet his family in.

"Um... I mean, this isn't my first choice, but," Charlotte looked at the ground and saw her foot fidgeting. She pulled her right ankle behind her left foot and leaned slightly to the side. "I kind of need something new to wear. Alex invited me to his birthday dinner, or party, whatever really, and I need something to wear. Do- woul- do..." Charlotte chuckled sarcastically as she struggled to get out the words. "Would you help me, to find some... thing?" Cheryl grinned and nodded. She couldn't help but smile whenever Charlotte was around.

"Let's go shopping!" Charlie gave her mother a thumbs up. "Or should I say, shop 'til we drop?" Cheryl jokingly wiggled her eyebrows. The duo chuckled as they walked to Cheryl's car.

Cheryl opened the car door for Charlie, "M' lady," Cheryl jokingly said. She and Charlotte giggled at Cheryl's silliness. Cheryl dried her tears, trying to stop herself from laughing more. Charlie tried to follow suit, however she too was failing miserably.

Cheryl closed the car door on Charlotte's side, before she rushed over to the driver's seat. She fastened her seatbelt, started the car, put it in drive, and started to drive carefully to their destination.

Cheryl and Charlotte had spent at least an hour trying to find something for Charlotte to wear for Alex's birthday dinner. They had changed stores twice, still not able to find anything. Most of the skirts and the dresses that Charlotte had tried on, were too short. Cheryl looked at an overall dress, hoping it was the right fit for Charlotte. The duo decided to put some of the other items Cheryl was holding, back on the rack.

"Charlotte?" Cheryl looked around herself, itching to see her daughter. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a girl with the same clothes that Charlotte was wearing. The girl turned slightly towards Cheryl, revealing her face. Charlotte stood at the other side of the shop, admiring a long, camel-coloured coat. Cheryl breathed out a sigh of relief, taking a picture of Charlotte to show Kimberley later. Charlotte touched the arm and read the price of it, £90. It was not the most expensive clothing item she had ever seen; however, for her it was unreasonable to purchase a coat for herself when she couldn't afford it.

"Hey," Charlotte jumped in her spot, placing a hand over her heart as she saw Cheryl next to her. "Finding anything?" Cheryl questioned.

"My God! You frightened me!" Charlotte laughed. "And to answer your question; no, I'm not." Charlotte pouted playfully. Cheryl tapped her pout, making Charlotte gasp in mock offense.

"C'mon child, you've got to try some of these things," Cheryl winked at her daughter.

"I'm actually a teen, thank you very much," Charlotte sarcastically corrected.

"Smartarse," Cheryl tutted. Cheryl ushered Charlotte into a fitting room, emphasising that she had to try on the mixed-patterned-dress. Cheryl sat down on a pouf, waiting for Charlotte to show outfit number 1.

Her phone started to buzz, the screen showing a picture of Cheryl and Kimberley, along with Cheryl's pet name for her. Cheryl stepped out of the changing rooms as she accepted the call. "Hey, what's up?" Cheryl asked Kimberley.