“No, it’s not. It's nothing bad just.... crazy I guess.” Way to go, that sounded so reassuring.
My mum looks between me and Cassey as if trying to read our minds. I smile at her and take a sip of tea. I feel her eyes on me. Assessing. Then her eyes crinkle in the corners with a slight smile. Inspection over, she picks up the remote and turns on the news. “OK girls. I trust you. If it's something important Krista, then I want you to know you can tell me anything. No matter how crazy. Until then, just be careful OK?”
“I know mum don't worry. Everything's fine. Like I said its nothing bad.” I get up and Cassey follows me out the room.
“Oh, and Krista?”
I stop. “Yeah mum?”
“Your hairismore shiny than usual.” She smiles at me and winks. Then turns her attention back to the TV.
I bite my lip then go with Cassey back upstairs. Did she just blatantly let me know she heard the whole conversation? I have no idea what to think any more.
Once upstairs and safely in my room Cassey closes the door and spins around. Gripping my shoulders' she smiles at me.
“With all the crazy going on, we need some normal. I am taking you shopping for your birthday!” She giggles as she legs it into the bathroom, locking the door.
“But I don't need anything!” I stare into my wardrobe for a decent outfit and struggle to put anything that's to Cassey’s standards together. My idea of comfy day wear is much different to hers.
I peek out the window to get an idea of the weather. There's a frost covering everything in sight, making the street twinkle in the early morning light. The sun is struggling to come through low, heavy, dark clouds. It looks like it could snow. It's going to be freezing today. I pick out my favourite skinny jeans and dark purple jumper and lay them on the bed.
Cassey shouts from the bathroom snapping me back to our debate about my wardrobe. “Yes, you bloody well do and it's your birthday so I can buy you anything I want!”
The sound of the shower turning on ended the argument.
A couple of hours later Cassey parks up in the shopping centre car park. It's a multi storey and instinctively I scan the area for a hooded figure. There's no denying that Alistair was a dodgy guy. One I definitely don't wanna see again. Yeah keep telling yourself that.
Cassey flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder and starts walking to the lift. “Right, first we need coffee then we need dresses and Shoes!” She's totally in her element and now she has me deep in her lair of designer labels. I doubt even my comfy, fur-lined wedge boots are gonna save my feet.
After what feels like an age, Cassey has started to get annoyed that everything she liked I didn't or wouldn't try on because it was far too overpriced. The amount people pay for a designer name is ridiculous.
“Honestly Krista, how do you have any clothes! I'm trying to buy you an outfit for your birthday and you're not helping one little bit.” She says with a harrumph. “What about this! It's so pretty! Simple, but cute and in the sale!” She sings the last word and wiggles a peach coloured lace skater style dress in my face.
I go to just say no as after all this time I'm on autopilot, but a quick glance has me cocking my head to the side as I get a good look at it. I run my fingers along the hem and feel the soft cotton under layer and the detailed lace overlay. “It's actually quite nice.”
“Is that a 'I'm gonna go try it on'?” She gives me a Cheshire cat grin and slowly holds it out to me as if moving too quick is gonna have me scampering away.
“Well... it's cold now so I'm gonna freeze in this.” Cassey rolls her eyes at me and I look at the dress again. It really is gorgeous. “But with some tights I'll be a little warmer. Fine, I'll try it.” I try to sound fed up but I can't help but smile at her as I walk off to the changing room.
Once in the changing room I pull the curtain closed and take off my jeans and jumper. Pulling the dress off the hanger I examine it to try and find a zip, but it doesn't have one. I guess I just need to pull it over my head. It's a size 8 so it should fit perfect. I put my arms in and pull it over my head. It's a bit tighter than I expected and I struggle to get my shouldersthrough. I can't see a thing and I've got my arms waving around in the air like a loon.
I feel something run down my spine and I shrink away from it. Tugging the dress down harder I force an elbow through just as I feel finger tips run from my rib cage to my hip. I let out a squeak and my heart starts hammering in my chest. I bang my shoulder against the side of the small room and I panic at the unseen person in the tiny space. I get my other elbow through and finally tug my head through.
I glimpse a flash of grey eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I spin around pressing my back against the glass with my fist raised, but there's no-one there. I look around frantically then above me but there's nothing apart from cobwebs. Realising the dress is stuck between my armpits and my breasts I tug it down and straighten it out. I stare at the curtain for a few seconds and calm myself.
I peek through the curtain and the only thing out there is the staff member manning the changing room entrance. The panic in my chest slowly disappears and I take a few deep breaths as I look at myself in the mirror. The dress is gorgeous but It's suddenly lost its appeal. I just wanna get out of the changing room and somewhere more crowded. Even though I must have imagined Alistair touching me, I can't help but feel violated. Clearly, I didn't sleep as well as I thought if I'm seeing things.
I admire the dress one more time and I can't help but feel good in it. It fits perfectly despite the effort it took to get it on. Falling just above the knee, it's a bit more risky than what I'm used to but it's not tarty looking. The pretty colour and the sweetheart neck line make it look really cute. Looks like Cassey's gonna get her wish after all. I pull it off surprisingly easier than when I got it on. It slips quickly over my head and I'msoon dressed back in my jeans and jumper and heading out the changing rooms.
Cassey comes straight over as I come out. “Hey you didn't come out so I could see you in it.” She pouts.
“You'll just have to see me in it another time.” I grin.
“Yay!” She takes it from me and practically skips to the checkout.
I look around the shop one more time. Not seeing Alistair anywhere, I follow Cassey mentally kicking myself for being so easily spooked by my own imagination.
As we walk Cassey's busy texting on her phone occasionally smiling or biting her lip at whatever she's reading.
