"Hey Mom, it's Theo."

After charging my phone and getting something to eat I lay on the sofa, debating with myself before calling my mother. "When are you off work?"

"Theodore! I've missed you so much, but your father said you've been so busy with school and work. I'm off tomorrow if you'd like to call over...?"

"Sure, yeah just send me the address."

"Perfect, I can't wait. What have you been up to?"

"Well I was at a conference with Dad yesterday, but we had a- disagreement, so I left early, how I'm at home."

"I'm sorry to hear that, honey, if you ever want to come over you can, I've got a bedroom for you here and a spare key, you're my son too."

"I know, I know, thank you." Mom's offer sounded more and more pleasing as time went on. The only thing keeping me here is the memories and my neighbour. I guess it's only twenty minutes away, and I can drive now, so it wouldn't be all bad...

"Have you talked to your sister recently?"

"No, not really. I presume she's busy."

"Mhm, you should do. I miss you both. Hey, Dory, I've got to get back to work, I'll text you the address and you can come over whenever you please."

"Thanks, Mom."

"See you soon, honey."

"Bye."

I ended the call and went to my texts to reply to Elle.

I think there was a tinge of jealousy there when I mentioned her to Cami, so I didn't bother to correct myself or mention the fact that she has a girlfriend.

*Had an argument with him so I came home.*

*Don't worry about it, you okay?*

*Yeah, better now thanks. Sorry I didn't say bye, I just couldn't do another day.*

*I'm not even there today, going on a date :) *

*Have fun.*

I slumped over to the medicine cabinet, searching for something I can take for this headache.

I pulled the crumpled piece of paper out of my pocket and read Dad's scribbly writing:

I didn't mean to. Come to the signing today at 10, I want you to sign the contract.

I scrunched it up again, and found myself slumping to my room, closing the blinds and laying on my bed for a nap.

"Look at this one!" I held up a short, crimson silk dress against Zoe's body, "it would look great with your skin tone."

"I'll try them all, put it in the basket."

We adventured around three different clothes stores already, finding nothing that Zoe liked. It was either too long, too uncomfortable, or too boring. Nothing screamed 'Zoe'.

"Check out the lingerie, see if there's anything good here." She disappeared into the changing room. I obeyed her orders, following the pink 'underwear' sign that hung from the ceiling.

My eyes darted between different pieces, wondering if they'd look as good on me as they do on the mannequin. I found myself picking up a red pieces, laughing at the fact that it's literally just ribbons and strings that are for decoration.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it on...

I dropped it in my basket, making my way around the section. My eyes caught onto the '18+' shelf of boxes, walking closer until I realised what they were.

Toys.

I hide the items I had just picked up underneath a dress Zoe helped me pick out in my basket and wandered back to the dressing rooms.

I sat in the seating area, watching as Zoe came out in a soft emerald dress that hooked on one of her shoulders, draping down her arm.

She gave me a pose and I shook my head. "I like the colour, but it's too pencil skirt and not enough cleavage."

"I should show a bit, shouldn't I?"

"Definitely." She disappeared to change again so I slipped into a room beside her, trying on some things I picked up.

I wasn't fond of some of the dresses, and picked them up purely for fun, so I left them in a separate pile.

I placed the red one-piece on over my black underwear. Okay, it fits.

I turned around, admiring it in the mirror. I bet it would look even better with no underwear. "Reds your colour..."

Fuck it. I'll buy it for fun.

"Hey, check this one out." I peeked my head out of the room, hiding my body with the curtain.

Zoe stood before me in a sparkly navy-blue dress. It was a satin fabric, bunched at the hips to show off her hourglass curves. The neckline hung loose and low, showing a small amount of cleavage from the front, and a hell of a lot if you were to look from above.

"Zo- that's the one. Wow."

"You think?" She spun around, lifting up her hair to show the backless design of the dress.

"Definitely."

"Thank you!" She smiled, going back to get changed into our normal clothes. "Was there any good lingerie?"

"A few pieces, nothing I'd wear but you should check it out." I lied as I carefully peeled the lace piece off my body.

I made sure to pay a few counters away from Zoe so she didn't see my basket. I was expecting them to need ID or something but the young man at the counter just smiled. "You go, girl."

"Thanks." I chuckled.

*

"Okay, what about my gold heels, a gold necklace and red lips and bag?"

"Definitely. What are you doing with your hair?"

"Should I pin it up to show off my shoulders? Or leave it down."

"You wear it up for work, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"Then down."

It was getting near five o' clock when we left the mall. Zoe was giddy with excitement, singing along to Katy Perry on the radio. "You going to Theo's tonight?"

"Probably, yeah"

"Mhm. Is part of the reason you don't like Matt because you like Theo?"

"No, Zoe. He's my best friend."

"So? Michael was my best friend since we were like 11, and then we hit 16 and boom, I was his girlfriend. But he was still my best friend."

"But then you broke up and haven't talked since."

"You always look at the bad side of things when I'm just trying to make things relatable."

"Nope. And don't even mention that in front of him, it makes it really awkward."

"Okay, okay."

She raised her hands in surrender. "I will be the first to say 'I told you so' when you do start dating."

"Fair."

We pulled into our drive, carrying our bags inside. I brought mine straight to my room before going to hers.

"Let's get you ready."