Ava Ever After

Chapter Eight

“Oh, that’s cute. Better in white, though, or cream.”

Ava looked at the off the shoulder slouch sweater, on the clothing store rail. She had immediately picked up black, rather than one of the other colours. Black was her go-to for practically everything.

“Cream, it is, then.”

“Wait, it’s for you? Seriously? But you never have your bra strap on show.”

Ava laughed at the shock on Sophie’s face. It was true. She had hated having her underwear on show, but now she didn’t mind at all.

“I can go without. It’s not like I need the hold, to be fair. Not with what I’m rocking up top. Besides, there are strapless now, you know,” Ava said.

She started flicking through a rail of skinny jeans, completely unaware of Sophie, staring at her, mouth agape in complete shock. Ava picked out a black pair and held them up, examining them against the sweater.

“Stop right there, woman. Who the hell is he and what has he done with my Ava? Seriously? Where did she go and who has she been replaced with?” Sophie demanded.

“What do you mean?”

“Someone has clearly got you all twisted up or confused or something. Firstly, you never pick anything that’s not black. Secondly, you showing skin is a huge no and thirdly, skinny jeans? They cling, you know. As in tight-fitting, show your legs and arse off to the world, kind of cling.”

Ava shrugged her shoulders. She had started feeling more comfortable with having her figure on show and had decided to switch up her wardrobe and try new things. Before working at The Bike Shed, she would never have dared wear something tight-fitting but now, when she looked in the mirror, she saw how her current wardrobe was adding way more frump than she wanted.

“I know. I wasn’t born yesterday. I just think it’s about time I tried something new and found myself. I’ve been a nerd in baggy clothes since forever. It’s got to change at some point, right? Why not now?”

She furrowed her brows at Sophie, who simply stared at her with a questioning look on her face. Ava hadn’t exactly lied, just sidestepped the truth, slightly. Her confidence had improved tenfold since working at the club and she felt she needed to have some confidence out of work, too. It was like she was two different people, scruffy, nerd through the day and confident, sassy nerd through the night. Ava wasn’t completely sure what was going on with Thom but she wasn’t quite ready to tell Sophie her little secret yet. Since the kiss, Ava had felt as though she was walking on air. They had spent hours talking after the kiss finally broke the ice. By the time they called it a night, it was almost four in the morning. Thom arranged one of the chauffers to take her home, telling her it was far too late to have her taking a cab and then promised to see her again soon.

“Oh. My. Days. This is bloody awesome! Babe, you’ve finally decided to find that inner hussy. I was sure she existed somewhere in there, under layers of books and dust. Come here. This deserves a hug and a celebratory shopping spree. You need boots and wedge sandals and oh, what about skirts? I’ve always loved your legs. You’d look amazing in a pencil skirt.”

Ava rolled her eyes as Sophie squealed and jumped up and down, clapping excitedly.

What the hell have I gotten myself into? Ava thought, being dragged by the arm to a rail of skirts.

A few hours and many stores later, laden with bags filled with everything from shoes to accessories, Ava plonked herself into the rounded leather chair of her favourite coffee shop. She was exhausted.

“What you having? My treat,” Sophie asked.

“I’m going to take all of the coffee, in fact, I’ll have all of the caffeine. You’ve damn near killed me with shopping.”

“Death by shopping isn’t even a thing. Two lattes and something chocolate,” Sophie told the waiter before he had even got to their table.

“Double chocolate cake?” His voice was timid.

“Perfect. Thank you, handsome,” Ava replied.

Sophie raised her eyebrows as though questioning whether Ava found the young man attractive.

“Sometimes it’s nice to compliment, even if you don’t think it’s true. It makes a persons day, you know. You should try it,” Ava replied, trying to keep the bitterness to friend level.

Sophie was brilliant but could be an absolute spoiled brat, at times.

“Yeah, sorry. I was a bit demanding, I guess. I’m blaming dad. He surprised me this morning and you know what I’m like with surprises. Puts me in the “I want everything yesterday” mood.”

“New car then?” Ava asked her.

Sophie, back in brat mode, clapped ecstatically. “Nope, even better. All-inclusive week in New York. Bloody New York! And when I say all-inclusive, I mean ALL inclusive. He’s given me a card specifically for the holiday and said he will cap when he thinks I’ve broken him enough.”

Ava’s mouth fell open.

“I know! I did the same bloody thing! But guess what? You’re coming too!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know I can’t, Sophie.”

“Babe, you’re coming. It’s a graduation gift from my dad. He said for me and a friend of my choosing so naturally, that’s going to be you.”

Her world stopped still as she took in what Sophie had said. A week in New York.

“A bloody week in New York? A week in New York! Oh. My. God. Sophie!”

Sophie squealed and stomped her feet like an over-excited child and Ava joined in too. She didn’t care that people stared with their what the f**k faces.

She was going to New York.

It deserved a squeal in public.