Strictly Stories

Money

This one-shot is a request from @TudorPrincess12 with the prompt being about the Steps crew going shopping and Claire realising she didn't took enough money with her. As always I'm sorry it took so long to be published butI hope you all still enjoy reading it :)

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The Steps squad is walking through Florida, talking all happily to enjoy their freetime. They were quite busy recently, planning on their new album and so it's lovely to enjoy a bit of freetime. 

"Guys, you see that new shop? Let's go over there, please!" Claire exclaims. She earns a few surprised looks from her bandmates who know that she actually isn't that fond on shopping - but became more interested in it since meeting with her boyfriend, Mark. He is quite fond on shopping and the band surprisingly found their blonde bandmate being all interested in walking through shops now too.

"Of course. Seems to sell nice clothes." Lisa replies. Stunned, the girls look around in the shop - being fascinated with the several stuff that's sold there. 

"I'm going to look for some proper stuff over there." Faye announces. "See you!"

"If you're searching for me, I will look for new sports stuff." Lee adds, walking off as well. 

"They just want to spend their time together, don't they?" H asks the others, in his usual manner of teasing his bandmates. They both agree, giggling. Well they believed Faye wanting to look for 'proper stuff' which probably meant to look for ideas for a new hairstyle. "So girls, I'm all yours. Where do you want to go?"

"Look at this!" Claire exclaims, not even minding about what H said. She walks towards a dress, looking at it in fascination. "I definitely need that. It's stunning and I recently saw that in a magazine too. Seems to be in at the moment." she adds as she looks at the price, sighing slightly. "Okay. It's expensive but I can still afford it. Could you please look after the dress while we continue looking around?" she questions H. And he just agrees, deciding to do his fellow bandmates a favour. 

"Look at these!" Lisa squeals, pointing at the shoes that the girls just walked by. "Imagine us girls wearing these at our concert! Should we buy them?"

"They look great." Claire admit, secretly wondering if she could still afford it. But yes, there's still money for the shoes even if she buys the dress. She smiles happily at this realisation. "Yes, we should definitely buy them."

A while later, after looking at several stuff and deciding to buy that as well, Lisa and Claire are walking back towards their bandmates - who seem like not buying a lot, at least compared to them. 

"Girls, did I missed something? Does this shop close again soon or why did you decided to buy this all?" H teases, earning a playful slap from the girls. 

"Well, they're selling it relatively cheap - you know, as the shop just opened." Claire explains  proudly. "You already paid for your stuff?"

"Which stuff?" H laughs. "Might I remind you that I took the duty of carrying your stuff?" 

"Oh. Yes, sorry. Thank you." the girls reply rather amused. 

"Now off we go, girls." Lee announces. "Let's pay for all the stuff you bought and then let's head off to the hotel."

The girls are walking next to Lee happily, talking their place and waiting for the cashier. Lisa puts down the stuff she bought, earning an confused look from the cashier. Gladly, they aren't in London where they're quite known to those who are listening to Steps - so there wouldn't be an article about the Steps girls buying plenty of stuff since they're unknown here. Lisa grins as she puts down the money, taking her stuff again as she walks off. 

Claire puts on an equal expression as she puts down her stuff too, handing her money to the cashier. "Excuse me, I think you still need to give me money for these." the cashier answers, rather unfriendly, while pointing at the shoes. 

"But- but aren't they in sale?" Claire asks confused.

 The cashier disagrees. "No. Only the clothes are in sale, but not the shoes or other stuff."

"Oh." she says. Well, obviously she could simply not buy the shoes - but she still couldn't afford what she actually planned to buy. And also, the cashier as well as some clients are looking at her quite annoyed now. Being not as confident, the angry looks of the clients are making her even more shy. 

Gladly, Lisa takes a place next to her. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Obviously here's the money for the other stuff. Excuse me." Lisa explains, paying for the stuff as it would be so casual. Claire is quite surprised at her bandmate being so nice to her. Usually, Lisa and her argue quite a lot - especially when rehearsing as they usually are easily annoyed with each other. And while they both get along equally with the rest of the band, there's mostly an odd atmosphere between the both of them.

"Thanks." the cashier answers. "Enjoy." 

"Thank you!" Lisa replies, acting all friendly - almost teasingly, which she probably learnes from H, as the girls make their way towards the others. 

"Did you just borrowed her money?" Faye asks surprised. 

"No." Lisa answers, looking at Claire who still seems stunned. "I didn't borrowed her my money. I bought her the stuff she wanted."

"Wait- what? No, honestly, that's nice but you don't need to-" Claire stutters.

"Yeah? Remember when you borrowed me a dress for a party because I didn't owned a proper dress? Or when you helped us girls with styling our hair when we were not satisfied with the work of the styling crew? Or might I remind you when you actually bought us something?" Lisa explains. Satisfied with her own speech, she grins at her bandmate happily. "And that's why I bought you something too. And to apologise for my recent behaviour. We argued a lot and I don't want us to argue. You're my bandmate too and I want us to get along as well. So I'm really sorry and I hope you're not angry anymore."

Almost emotional at what Lisa said, and not minding about the other shoppers looking at them either confused or amused, Claire takes Lisa tightly into her arms. "Of course I'm not angry with you. I'm sorry too and thank you so much for this."

"How lovely to see you girls getting along again!" H cheers. "How about going to go to the hotel now, change into a party dress and go to a bar?" 

The others grin at each other, approving to this idea. Happily, they walk out of the shop and back to their hotel, simply happy about their friendship.