My Contract With A Vampire

Chapter 47 - Simple Fun part 2

"Oh look! I see something that would go perfect with those shoes I just bought," Carmela said seconds before walking off towards the back of the boutique.

Suddenly standing alone at the front of the store, I looked around the small, but modernly decorated space. I had to admit, Carmela was right the store was nice, I could tell by the few things at the front of the store that it had a pretty selection of clothes and accessories. One item in particular, a beautifully made handbag, caught my attention and I walked over to the table that was displaying it along with a few others in different colors and designs.

Picking up the simply colored black one, I smiled as I analyzed the product. It felt so nice in my hands and I could tell it was a sturdy bag. I had always wanted a really nice purse, I never cared about expensive brands and all, I just always wanted a nice, well-made purse. I've never had the money to buy a good one, I had been using an old second hand one that had a broken strap and peeling fabric, but now even that one was gone.

Suddenly, I caught myself thinking about how nice it would be to have a nice purse, one that could last me a while. My smile got wider as my courage to finally buy something grew. Wanting to know the price of the item I was thinking about purchasing, I dug into the inside of the bag and lifted the tag out. My smile faltered once I read over the amount. A hundred and ten dollars, that's how much the nice purse was and I couldn't have been more disappointed.

Yes, I had the money to buy the handbag, but I didn't really want to pay that much for one especially when I knew the money I had in my pockets had to last me for another whole week until my next paycheck.

Deciding I really didn't need the bag, I reluctantly placed it back on the table just as Carmela and Ryder came up beside me.

"Cute bag, thinking about getting that one," Ryder asked first as she gestured towards the bag I had just looked at.

Looking from the bag to Ryder I shook my head, "Um, no I'm not gonna buy it, I just thought it was nice," I said to her quickly.

"Amelia, you thought it was more than just nice, I saw you looking at it... you want that purse... admit it," Carmela demanded as she step in front of me, blocking my view of the said purse.

Not liking the scrutiny I was receiving, I sighed, "Okay, you're right, I did want the purse... but now I don't," I said trying to sound nonchalant.

Ryder not understanding, picked up the purse from the table again and looked it over, "Why not," she asked before looking over at me and down at my empty hands, "Don't you need a bag anyway... or at least a wallet."

She may have been right in her observation, I could use a bag or wallet of some sort but still the price was too much for me to spend, "Yeah, I do, but it's a little too expensive for me," I said even though I wanted to say it was more than a little too expensive.

Not satisfied with my response, Carmela suddenly grabbed my arm and started leading me out of the nice boutique, "Okay, lets find you a store that sales nice bags and is inexpensive then."

Not wanting to be pulled, I stopped quickly, making Carmela and Ryder stop as well, "Look, you don't have to search out another store just for me, I don't really need a purse of anything like that."

"Amelia, we've been at this mall for over an hour and you've yet to buy one thing. You're supposed to be having fun. Every time we've gone into a store, you had this frown on your face," she said as she gestured to my face as if I was frowning now and if I was I didn't realize.

"I am having fun, I swear I am, I just... I'm just being a bit careful with my money that's all," I explained in a rush, not wanting Carmela and Ryder to think I wasn't having a good time because I really was, this shopping thing was just stressing me out a little. Money in general, when I knew I had limited funds, seemed to always stress me out. I was used to being tight with the little money I had.