Relatable

05

"It's nine o'clock on a Sunday morning. Is there a particular reason you called me here so urgently?" Layla asked, rubbing her tired, puffy eyes. 

"Layla, you're way better with clothes than I am. Is there anything in my closet that will make Dylan want me so bad because I'm really struggling here," I said, pleading. I needed Layla's fashion advice desperately because I don't think Dylan is really going to be impressed with my dirty Converse and oversized t-shirts. 

"Is this Cameron's idea?" Layla asked, raising her eyebrow. I still felt a little embarrassed about Layla knowing about my embarrassing deal with Cameron, but I didn't want her to think that every decision I make about Dylan has to do with Cameron's advice. 

I shook my head. "No, he's been helping me out a lot but come on. It's not like any guy is really attracted to my oversized vintage tee shirts. I want to wear something that'll somewhat show off my figure at least."  

Layla nodded, as she was picking clothes out of my closet. Changing the subject, she pulled out a huge black t-shirt with the words, "I'm With Stupid" written on it. She cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Who made you buy this shirt?"

I chuckled, completely forgetting about that old shirt. "It's not mine, I stole it from my dad a long time ago. He said he used to wear it whenever he went out with my mom but she hated it so she hid it from him."

Layla laughed and tucked the shirt away, "Your parents are so cute, Ellie."

Suddenly, she gasped as she noticed something in my closet, "Oh, wow. This is beautiful! I didn't know you even owned anything like this." 

She pulled out a pastel pink tube top with thin white stripes. I usually didn't wear tops like that, but I didn't mind that one. "It was an impulse buy. You know when you think you're going to start dressing all cute and pretty, but then you see your jeans and sweaters and go for those instead." That was usually the case for me, but this was a great time to start dressing cute since Dylan actually knew who I was. 

Layla found a cute pair of high waisted shorts that paired up perfectly with the tube top. "A little too extravagant for a Monday, but at least you'll be stylish as hell," Layla said with a cheerful smile.

"Outfit one: complete," I said, with my thumbs up. "How about a quick getaway to the mall?"

"Food court food sounds bomb right now," she replied, already putting on her sneakers. 

I grabbed my car keys and drove us to the nearest mall. I love the feeling of having new clothes, and I am actually proud of myself for finally branching out and stepping out of my comfort zone. 

Once we entered the mall, Layla and I wandered towards the first store we saw that made the mannequins look good. The clothes were fairly priced and they were cute...score! Layla and I grabbed anything and everything off the hangers to take to the dressing rooms. She tried on a casual floral dress, while I tried on skinny jeans with a tight off-the-shoulder top. We both looked really good and I had to give this store some credit. 

I usually don't buy the first thing I see, but these were dire times and I needed something new to spice up my wardrobe. 

Layla and I walked out of a couple stores with a bunch of shopping bags around our wrists. "We need to stop and recharge ourselves," I said, eyeing the food court. 

My mouth was practically drooling from all the little food stands and the smell, alone. We headed towards a pizza place and stood in line. 

"Oh hey," Layla said, looking behind us. "Look who's here." 

I whipped my head back to see who she was talking about.  

"It's Cameron," she said, pointing over at a table where he and a couple of his friends were seated.