“Emma, are you free today?”

“For you, sure. What do you have in mind?” Wow, she is one reliable sister. I was prepared for a bit of whimpering but apparently I can save that for another day.

“Well, our game is tomorrow and I would rather be dressed in something better than this.” I make a little twirl. My well-worn jeans and bland shirt speak for itself.

“Your game is in VR, why would you need real clothes for that?” Emmas scepticism is evident.

“The gear scan you when you enter so you enter the domain with your real outfit. Of course, you can customize your outfit in-game so to speak but that cost money. Why pay good money for a digital outfit when I can buy a real one and bring that one?”

“Wait, I’ve used VR too and I could get clothes free of charge.”

“Of course you could because you use boring social domains. They are just public spaces, just a virtual chatroom. No global corporation squeezing every living Euro from your wallet, that dear sister is the difference.” Miss green is not big into game so she fails to recognize the blood sucking evil practices of corporations like YR corp.

She makes a face, probably disapprove of my tone. Need to fix this.

“I ask you Emma because you always look so good. I need your help because if I go alone, I’ll screw it up.” Add a smile and this should be a wrap.

“Haha, you are adorable when you think you manipulate me.” She seems positively delighted, meh whatever floats her boat.

“Sure, I will take you to a good place.”

We walk out of the apartment complex together. We reside on the fifth floor; an elevator guides us to the bottom floor. The back section of the elevator is glass, it provides us with a gorgeous view of Emmas school. We live in the first ring around the school, a testament to Emma’s prestige as a green architecture student. There are apartments in three concentric circles around the school, proximity to the school mark status. I would never get a place like this on my own, not that I find any of that important.

When we leave the apartment complex several transport drones stand at the ready for any who wish to travel. Emma simply press her ID on a specific part of the drone vehicle and doors open.

“Destination Layton Mall, Uppsala.” Emma command.

This will be a pain, I’m sure of it. People crawling around everywhere you look, they will probably smell bad too. A necessary evil, I won’t let anyone complain about the slovenly dressed assistant manager. No, they’ll clamour at my radiance. Okay I’m losing track here, no radiance. The lady in the seat next to me can monopolize the radiance while I focus on being badass. A badass who looks pretty good and not slapdash at all. Yes, that’s the one.

“I suspect you will want a new pair of jeans?” You do know me.

“Yes.”

“A new bland shirt too?” Ok, I suspect I know where we are going with this.

“Your point?”

“You said yourself you have confidence in me so I’m taking point in this endeavour.” I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t want to go alone but leaving this in Emmas hand will turn ugly. She’ll make me all colourful, maybe frilly? God, I don’t want to be frilly.

“I value your input but I should-“

“You said you would screw it up and I’m inclined to agree. Don’t worry little sis, I know you don’t want to stand out much.”

Hm, I’m worried but I guess I can give her a chance.

“Fine but nothing too out there.”

We enter the mall and much to my dismay its crowded with people. I follow Emma as she expertly weaves in and out of crowds with ease. A fish in water comes to mind.

“This store sells cute jeans so let’s start here.” She pulls me along. A slog of trying on jeans, bending and twirling ensued. The black pair I favour was vetoed. The winner was a slim light blue pair. Once the mission to get the jeans over my butt was accomplished, I had to agree that they did look good. No margin for error though, if I don’t keep my wine and powder shake diet in check these pants will expose my lax lifestyle.

“You are getting those, Alicia.” She brokers no argument, well I don’t mind.

“Sure, they look good.”

“Good, now there is another store where we will get a skirt for you.”

Wait, when did we agree on that? Oh this is going to be one long day. Struggle is futile, I brought this on myself so no point bitching about it. I can be mellow and go with the flow, I’m a mellow yellow.