Lexi : Scorned Childhood Love

(Points of view are shown with bold writing and the person whose point of view it is.) Lexi POV She was finally turning 18, not that it was a big deal other than living on her own and paying expenses she had pretty much been living in the adult world for several years now. They called her a genius and doted on her intelligence. She didn't really like the attention but loved learning and could soak up tons of information, due to her identic memory. She had just finished up her second PhD. This one was in world history, her first being Anthropology. She doubted she would ever want to quit learning, but now that she was actually an adult she needed to decide if she wanted to enter into a career or continue learning new things. Her parents were well off, so she knew they would have no problem continuing to support her while she received more education. Did she want to keep living at home though, maybe she needed to explore and put some of her learned knowledge to practice? Sometimes she just wanted to be like everyone else her age. She had always been jealous. Never had she done age appropriate things. It just didn't interest her, but now looking back she was lonely. She had no actual peers and anyone that could accommodate her intelligence was already close to retirement. Growing up, she had one person that she considered a friend. He did it at the bequest of his parents, who were good friends with her parents. She appreciated having him in her life the same. His name was Theodore Radcliff or Theo, as his friends called him. He had gorgeous short blonde hair, ice blue eyes, and a body always fit and full of muscle. She fell in love with him at first sight, but to him, she was just a child. He was a freshman student in high school when the two were introduced, and she was only 5 but also a freshman. His job was simple to make sure she wasn't hurt and be nice to her. Theo always protected her. Nobody bullied her if he was around, and he always tried to stay close to her. He was her best friend even though he only saw her as an obligation. Not that he told her that or ever admitted it, but she was a genius. She knew it to be true. If Theo wasn't around, school was rough, she was often hit and teased, on several occasions, landing her in the hospital. Thinking about Theo, she hadn't seen him since she graduated from her understudies. Last she heard he was working in his father's law office. He went to school to be a lawyer and did average. She was still proud of him though. If he went by his skill in high school, it's lucky he even got into college. She will get to see him this weekend. Her parents had planned a huge party to celebrate both her birthday and her second doctorate. The party didn't interest her at all, but seeing Theo again put her in a good mood instantly. She really wanted him to notice her. She was an adult now, so she wanted him to know. She needed to make a plan a new outfit her typical just wouldn't do. She hadn't seen him in 2 years, not since she was 16. Her typical wardrobe was leggings and an oversize hoodie. I didn't want him to see me like that. I wanted to dress up. Yes, he was very close to 30, but she had always loved him. And let's be honest, nobody her age would be compatible. Well, she now had a distraction, finding something to make her look like a hot but sophisticated adult for her birthday party! Maybe he would notice her, then all her childhood fantasies of them living happily ever after would come true. As if she would settle for an actual friendship not one his parents forced him to have. He always denied that he was forced to be her friend, but again, she wasn't stupid! She would figure out her career, education and love life later. Now she planned on going to get lost in the mall and not just in the bookstore. She would be stopping there. However, anyone who goes to the mall without stopping for the books is crazy, and she doesn't want the books to miss her. Putting on her favorite black hoodie which already matched the cosmic design on her leggings, she grabbed her car keys so she could head out to the mall. Her car was a simple black Toyota Camry. She didn't need flashy, she needed a reliable and easy-to-maneuver vehicle and that is what she had. It didn't take long to get to the mall, maybe ten minutes tops. She could listen to two songs before she hit the parking lot. Once she parked, she shot her parents a text to let her know where she was. She always did and assumed it would be something she would always do, even being an official adult now. Group Chat A: Hey mom, stopping at the mall to look for something to wear on Saturday. I will let you know when I'm on my way back home. Love ya! M: Find something formal. It is going to be a big event for the family and you, my dear. Possible networking, you are an adult now! A: That's the plan mom. I will let you know what I find and probably send a picture before I buy it! M: Perfect! Get your nails done as well. You can't have them seeing how badly you chew them during exam time. A: K Love ya bye! M: Love you too darling With that done, she threw her keys, wallet and phone in her hoodie pocket. Perhaps she should buy a purse. A sophisticated adult wouldn't be using her hoodie to carry around her belongings. Maybe she needed more help than just a dress for the party. Maybe it was time for an all new her. It was definitely time for an overhaul. The adult here she comes, she was going to leave her old wardrobe behind. At least most of it, some could still be used for lounging so she could keep some. She wasn't totally grown yet, after all. Now, where does she go first? She needs casual, business, business casual, and, of course, the formal required for saturday. Then shoes and purses. It was times like this that she really wished she had a female friend. She didn't know how to do any of this, and she really wanted to. Her mom offered once, when she was really getting bullied, but she refused and was awful to her mother over it. She didn't think it was appropriate to ask her but she didn't know where to start and wanted to do it the right way. Group Chat A: So mom just got to the mall and made a decision. Hope you can help me. I know I was terrible about it in the past, but lost and have no knowledge as to how to proceed. M: Go to Ci-Ci's. It's next to the bookstore. She is a personal stylist and will help you with everything. She is my stylist and who I wanted to take you to before, and always ask for anything it doesn't matter if there was attitude in the past. You're my baby and I love you always! A: Thanks mom, ready to start my adult life! Love you too! Well, since it was next to the bookstore she headed in that direction, she knew the way she could find it with her eyes closed. Wondered how she never noticed the store next door. Guess she just wasn't ready to dress like a lady then. Let's do this adult thing, well at least lets look the part!