𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀 | 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐊𝐈

9. Inconspicious

A couple of weeks later and it's spring break. Lydia and I get up early to go for a shopping trip. Today's Lydia's birthday so I'm funding said shopping trip. Currently, we're in a Macy's which has a plethora of party dresses that should be perfect for tonight.

Lydia holds up two different dresses and takes turns in holding them in front of her, "Which one?"

I look between the two dresses one features muted tones of grays in a striped fashion, which typically I wouldn't go for but one thing I know about Lydia is she can pull anything off. The other dress is a stunning, strapless, sapphire blue dress.

"Why not both?"

Lydia smiles and points at me, "And that's why you're my best friend."

She bumbles over to another rack and pulls out another two dresses. One is a blush pink that has a low cut V neckline and the other is a gorgeous white satin dress.

Lydia holds up the gray dress, "Host dress..." she then holds up the blue one, "Evening dress..." then the blush one, "After-hours casual..." then finally the white satin one, "And finally... for you."

"Perfect," I grin and I take the dress from her.

"Now, all we need is matching shoes, jewelry and we need to get Allison a dress."

—Time Skip—

"Allison!" I call out cheerily as Lydia and I strut into her room, both of us holding too many bags.

Allison's sat at her desk, probably busy. But it's Lydia's birthday, and that means all attention should be on her.

Lydia flashes the bags up high, "Clear your schedule—this could take a while."

Allison gets up and chuckles at the two of us as we drop all of the bags on her bed. "How many outfits do you two plan on wearing tonight?"

I point between the bags, "Only one dress is mine, the rest is Lydia's."

Allison lets out another laugh. Lydia sure loves her clothes.

"It's my birthday!" Lydia defends her shopping addiction before holding up the dresses she showed me earlier to Allison. Eventually Allison brings up the fact that Lydia sent out zero invites, which I'm pissed about cause we spent ages on them!

"It's the biggest party of the year, Allison—everyone knows." Lydia states matter-of-factly. Allison and I share a concerned look. Neither of us have actually attended one of Lydia's infamous birthday parties before, but from what I've heard everyone is desperate to go. But this year things are different. People look at Lydia differently and think she's a bit of a whack job now, or at least even more of a whack job.

"But what if things are different this year?" I say and Lydia tenses up.

"Why would anything be different?"

I look to Allison for help but she shrugs. Thanks, Allison, very helpful. "Uh," I begin, "Well, things have been a bit bizarre this year, Y'know?"

"Yeah," Allison pipes in, finally, "Things and people... like Jackson?"

I mentally facepalm. That is not helpful. Ah yes! Let's bring up her ex who she's clearly not over! Good idea!