(aw this songgg so perfect and when it was in pitch perfect I freaked outt)
~
Saturday 6th: If you don't already have plans for your Saturday night, get down to the cinema and watch one of those new movie releases. Whether you're into comedys or horror films, there's bound to be a film that floats your boat. You might even bump into a familar face or meet a new friend?
~~Saturday afternoon, after I meet Lani for a quick sushi stop, I decide to make the next move and text Sebastian an invitation to the movies. Or should I command him to come to the movies with me? I think we’re close enough for that, especially after Thursday night. Okay, well, nothing major happened, but he did buy my drinks for me, and we debated Quentin Tarantino vs. Baz Luhrmann for ages. That has to mean SOMETHING, right?
I am so totally screwing myself over. That means absolutely nothing, and if anything, it is undoubtedly 100% platonic.
So I text him this: WE’RE GOING TO THE CINEMA TONIGHT. Because a good friend would be all commanding whereas an awkward crush would actually ask, and I’d much rather be the best friend-who’s-a-girl rather than the awkward obsessed girl…right?
I have officially lost it.
He texts back quickly, though, and my heart is appeased as I read what he says: YOU’RE ON. EVIL DEAD.
Score.
~
“I won’t be able to sleep for weeks, d-mn it.”
“I didn’t even bat an eye.” Sebastian hands me the near-empty bucket of popcorn we decided to share and I empty it into my mouth. So far, so good. It hasn’t really had much of a date vibe, more like two mates hanging out, which I think is what I really wanted.
“Please, didn’t Mum and Dad ever tell you not to lie?” I ask him playfully, because he was screaming just as much as I was during the whole thing.
“I don’t listen to a lot of things Mum and Dad told me.” His voice goes kind of quiet and I raise an eyebrow. Well goodness, no need to take things so seriously…but then, I’m kind of curious as to what he’s talking about. Like, this could be a pivotal step in our nonexistent relationship. So I decide to share, too.
“Mine too,” I say carefully. “Mine wanted me to be a doctor like my dear younger sister Angeline. Or a lawyer. Something ‘grounded.’”
“Yeah, my older brother George is the one they wanted me to take after. I don’t care what he does, really, except being successful, if that’s even a job.” He shakes his head. “They think I screwed up my life.”
“Well, if it helps any, I think you turned out pretty smashing.”
He laughs and my insides go all gooey and warm, like chocolate biscuits in the oven, and I know instantly that I am officially in love.
XXXXX
Monday 8th: Amelia's boutique has a new collection of autumn clothes and has given all the girls a head's up. I hope you've saved up those dollars because her gorgeous creations aren't cheap. But don't worry, that dress is worth it.
~~~“Welcome, welcome ladies,” I say with a flourish of my fingers after unlocking the door to Serendipity. The crowd of girls, peering in the store through the decaled glass storefront, texting, Instagramming the scene, or talking amongst themselves, looks at me when I say this. I have their attention now, so I continue, feeling like an Oscar presenter with all their eyes on me and whatnot.
“As you all know, I’ve summoned you here for a very important reason—yes, the new fall store shipment has arrived, and I’m letting you all get your hands on it before the general public does.”
I let that sink in before yelling, “In you go!” and pushing the door open behind me. Before I can blink, everyone is rushing in, and I step out of the way until I see that everyone has dispersed into their own separate corner of the store. Then, I walk in behind them.
I smile and wave at Winnie, who’s with her friend Zoe, and walk over to them. “Hey guys, everything alright?” I ask, and Winnie grins.
“Yeah, I’ll try not to spill any coffee on this,” she promises with an exaggerated nod, holding up a deep red blouse she’s chosen from the rack. I laugh, remembering the day we first met in Café Sydney.
“Try not to,” I tell her, and leave them with a wink.
"What do you think of this dress?" Lorrie is yelling to Camille from one end of the store to the other when I begin my rounds again.
"Dang, with curves like that, you'd have to be careful that boyfriend of yours won't tear it to shreds!" Wren, who is over by the dresses with Louise, says with a cheeky grin, and I can’t help but laugh.
"Don't tear these babies, they're preciousss,” I warn with a soft laugh. From the look Camille gives me, I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m 100% serious, which can’t hurt, of course.
"I won't!” Lorrie promises with a shake of her head and widened eyes.
"No… but your boyfriend will,” Wren quips with a wink, disappearing into the dressing rooms.
"Your boyfriend does anything to harm that dress, and he'll be having a word with me,” I snap menacingly, punching the palm of my hand.
"Note to self: never mess with Amelia,” Viv quips from the jeans section, and I call out to her, “That’s right!”
After I catch my breath from all the laughter, I start to circulate again and make sure everyone’s okay. Lani and Leighton are over by the shoes, discussing America again—Hawaii specifically this time.
“Your boyfriend’s name is Nikko? Ahh, that’s so /edgy/,” Leighton gushes as I walk up to them, squishing her toes into a too-small cobalt blue pump. I raise my eyebrows—at both her shoes and remembering that Lani is very well cheating on this edgy boyfriend of hers—and hand Leighton a box of the same shoes in a bigger size. She sighs and tells me thank you with a sheepish grin.
“I’m loving the shipment, by the way, Mila,”
I decide this is the time to grab Lani by the shoulders and steer her over to a quieter corner. I pretend to browse for a skirt for her while whispering through gritted teeth, “Lani, how’s your secret lover?” What I really want to ask is, “Don’t you feel an ounce of guilt?”
But that would be SO…well, actually I kind of want to see how this drama plays out first, then say all the “Told you so’s” later.
Lani rolls her eyes and bites her lip. “He’s good. Hot as ever. We’re actually supposed to be meeting sometime this week.”
“Are you bringing him home? Do I need to schedule an impromptu stay-over at Winnie’s or something when you do?”
I’m so totally enjoying myself.
“I’m not quite sure yet. I might take things slower. Now shut up. And how would this look on me?” Lani snaps playfully, holding up an oxblood red velvet skirt. I nod approvingly. “Go try it on.”
She does, and I look around some more, see Viv headed towards the dressing room with an armful of colored jeans, and then spot Arden over by the jewelry, and sneak up to her.
“Um, excuse me, I believe I saw that first,” I tell her harshly, and she spins around, eyes wide, fingers tightly clutching a turquoise ring, before seeing me and continuing the conversation we had only a few months ago at a flea market, “Um, well, excuse me, I have it in my hands as we speak, so I believe it’s mine now.” She tries her best to shoot me a withering look, but we erupt into laughter.
“How have you been, Arden? I haven’t seen you in such a while,” I tell her, and she nods in agreement. We make plans to meet for boba tea at a new place around the corner sometime, when there’s a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and see Louise looking at me with inquisitive eyes, so I wave Arden good-bye and follow Louise.
“Hey, do you have this dress in a size smaller?”
“Yeah, I think so, let me check in the back. Hold on a sec,” I assure her, grabbing the dress. At this point, most of the girls are checking out—with the “Friendship” discount, of course—and heading out the door.
“Bye, girls, thanks for coming today!” I call over my shoulder as I walk into the storage room and find Louise the size she wants.
“No, thank YOU, Mila!” Viv—the last one besides Lani to leave—calls as she exits.
Lani decides she’s going to hang around in my office for a while until it’s time for the next photo shoot for her blog.
“Hey, Mila, I have an idea…wanna be in my shoot today?” Lani takes a seat and kicks her legs up on my desk. “I’m going to be wearing all the new fall clothes I bought. It’s so weird because back in America it’s spring right now…” she trails off, then looks at me hopefully. “Wanna do it?”
I nod. “Yeah, how could I pass that up? I can just see my legacy now—entrepreneur, singer, AND model.”
Lani grins. “Yeah, just don’t forget me when you’re all big and famous. Remember, I’m the girl who talked you into your first real photo shoot.”
“Please, you’re lucky to have me,” I assure her.
Lani scoffs, playing along. I nod.
“Yep, Mario Testino is practically clawing down my door.”
“Well, if you have time to fit me into your busy model schedule, then let’s grab some gelato on the way, too. I have a good idea for a shoot. Think fall clothes, spring-flavored gelato, like lemon or raspberry or something, and ta-da, you have a totally delicious Australian-American Identity Crisis. My readers will eat. It. Up. Come to think of it, that’s a good name. ‘Eat This Up.’” Lani pauses to take a breath, and then looks at me with excited eyes. “What do you think?
“I’m thinking, ‘Is this how a blogger thinks all the time?’ Because I like it.”
“Yes,” Lani answers, in total earnest, then commands, “Let’s go!”
~
@chrissykinz @sarahstardom @labellabeautyxo @strawberrylace @buffykdh @petit-lapin @the-wild-things @mademoisellecharlotte The first story is just a quick look into her romantic life, so it's short and I didn't really include anyone, but I included/mentioned everyone in the second story at Mila's boutique!
