Life Of Bayla

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The shopping thing wasn't so bad after all.

When you have characters like my perky mom and an even perkier model like Marion by your side, I dont see how you wouldn't have a fun time. Marion was funny. Funnier than when she was at the dinner table that one time I was there. She squeezed the laughter out of me with her sick puns and jokes, leaving me a wheezing mess.

We decided to pair off and shop. Mom went with Marion while I was with Eleanor.

Eleanor, being the genteel thing she is, was so sweet to me. She stuck by my side all through the day, grabbing various outfits she could lay her hands on. She engaged me in small talk like a zillion times and even though I wasn't really responsive, she didn't mind.

"What do you think of this?" Eleanor held a cerulean blue dress close to her chest, alongside a pair of red pumps.

I scratched my now clean hair. "I dont know, though. I'm like literally the worst person you could ask for fashion advice".

She chuckled. "Okay. How about we check out some more clothes for you".

"Uh, haven't we gotten enough?" I jiggled the small shopping bag in my hand.

She raised a brow. "You're kidding, right? You've only gotten yourself two pairs of jeans and a black bunnyhug".

I shrugged and she sighed. Gently, she dragged me out of the changing room and led me down an isle with racks of glittery outfits lining the walls.

She reached for a hot pink mini skirt. "This?" She then pulled out a red mini one. "Or this?" I shrugged again and she groaned. "Bayla, you're not helping".

"I'm trying my best, Eleanor", I said. "Shopping isn't my forte. What I usually wear are jeans and t shirts, a few sweatshirts but that's it. I'm out of my element here".

She gave me a long look, then nodded. "Okay. I understand. Let's just pick out a few more stuff for you and join the girls".

I chuckled at what she said last: the girls. No one would think she was referring to my brother's girlfriend and my mother.

We did end up picking a few more stuff which I had no part in. Eleanor took control. She fished out some colorful skirts, tank tops, shorts, sweaters, boots, sneakers, flats, the whole works. We later rejoined the girls. Marion assessed my shopping bag and sported a small frown.

"Bayla, don't tell me that this is how you, er, dress". Her nose scrunched up as she pinched the edge of a brown bunnyhug I had picked out myself. Marion dug out more clothes. "And why the hell are there so many of these?"

She was referring to the bunnyhugs. Mom spoke up. "Oh, Ri, believe me when I tell you that I have tried my best to intervene in my daughter's poor fashion choices but all my efforts were futile". Marion yanked out some of the skimpy, colorful outfits Eleanor picked out for me. Mom pointed her manicured finger at it, smiling in adoration. "Those are nice, though".

"It's her style, Marion", Eleanor chuckled. "I think if she likes it then that's okay".

"Bullshit", she said to Eleanor who just laughed. Marion's face was scrunched up as she handed me my shopping bag. "Sweetheart, no offense, but your fashion sense sucks ass. Darling, let me lead the way. We've got work to do".

Marion practically bought the whole shop.

~~~~~

Once we got back home, Marion called Ian to help us lug the bags - which were surprisingly heavy - into the house.

Ian smiled at me as he headed to the boot. "Glad to see you smiling again, Bayla. You should keep this up".

I grinned at him genuinely. I do admit that my lifted spirits has so much to do with how much fun I had shopping.