Serenah lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. The morning's light filtered through the curtains making sparkles dance on the wall. Her sleep had been restless, her mind churning with Sacer's revelations. She didn't understand why Autem kept doing this to her. She turned on her side and gloomily stared at her phone. She wished she could tell Romeo. His calmness would help quiet the chaos in her heart and mind. She shook her head. She couldn't drag a human into this mess. Sighing, she got up and took a shower.
Forty minutes later she emerged from the bathroom with her hair pulled up in a high ponytail and dressed in a purple jogging outfit. She loved wearing baggy comfortable clothes. They were so much better than the dresses she was forced to wear back home. She checked the time, sent a quick text to Alastar, and went to the garage to meet him.
"Ready for some shopping?" she asked him. She laughed when he gave her a disgruntled look. "I promise not to grab a lot of stuff this time."
"Sure, Your Highness."
Serenah shook her head and got in the car. The ride was silent; not that she minded. It wasn't an oppressive or tense one so she was able to relax. Liz and Penelope were already at the meeting spot and they all moved into Penelope's SUV. The trip to the mall was festive and full of laughter. Serenah could feel all her worries melt away. She loved being around both girls. Their sincerity and kindness were worlds apart from the treatment she received from her peers in her kingdom.
"Sera, we're going to a different mall than last time. Hope you don't mind."
"I'm good to go wherever you wish to take me, Penelope."
"See, Pen. Told you it wasn't a problem," crowed Liz. "This is why Sera's so cool."
Penelope shook her head in exasperation. "You are too much, Liz! Maybe that's why Sera agrees to everything you say."
Liz cast a sly grin in Serenah's direction. Serenah twitched and glanced away. She wasn't getting in the middle of this debate.
"So, I have ideas and plans for the dresses we should get for you this time," Liz stated, deftly changing the subject.
"Really?"
"Yep," Liz made sure to pop the "p" before putting gum in her mouth and blowing bubbles.
Serenah laughed at her friend's antics. The rest of the ride was fun, and before Serenah knew it, they were at their destination. This mall was larger than the first and she felt intimidated. There were people everywhere.
Penelope parked, and everyone got out. Serenah jumped, startled by Liz's hand on her shoulder. "What?" she gasped.
"Serenah, you okay? You look pale."
"I'm fine. Just a lot of people," she added, forcing herself to calm down. "I'm fine," she stressed again when Penelope and Liz both gave her dubious looks.
"Alright then. Let's go!" Liz clapped her hands together and snagged Serenah's hand.
Serenah allowed her friend to drag her inside. Her senses were overwhelmed by all the stimuli. The noise, smells, and lights all battled for prominence. She quickly used a little of her magic to dampen the effect on her senses. Once it was tolerable, she relaxed and focused on Liz.
Liz still held her hand and expertly weaved her way through the crowd. Serenah swore that Liz had to have a Figura Muta for an ancestor. The shapeshifters were known for their physical prowess and heightened senses. The way Liz behaved reminded Serenah of them.
She came out of her thoughts at Liz's excited squeal. She looked at the storefront. "Ash's Vision," she murmured. "What an interesting name."
"I know, right? The founder of the chain wanted clothes that are fashionable for everyone, regardless of gender. Most items can be mixed and matched until you find the look you are going for."
They entered the store, and Liz shooed Alastar away. "You, go that way. You need to find a decent suit for the Winter Ball."
Alastar held up his hands and grinned. He walked away whistling, and Liz chuckled. "Now, Sera, it's your turn."
Serenah laughed at the sparkle in Liz's and Penelope's eyes. They really did enjoy using her as a dress-up doll. Not that she cared. It was fun. She settled in as her two friends went to work.
Three hours and twelve dresses later, she had accumulated a pile of five dresses. The three girls stared at the dresses.
"You know, I don't know which to tell you to grab," Penelope admitted.
Liz tilted her head to the side, studying the dresses. "I agree. They all are unique and looked amazing on you, Sera."
Serenah smiled. These five dresses were stunning. She had to pick just one, though. It was so hard to choose.
"You know what? Buy all of them."
"What?" Serenah stammered in surprise.
Liz smirked. "Take…all...of…them."
"But, but, I,"
"'But, but,' nothing, Sera. You deserve them all. If you don't have enough, I can spot you the difference."
"That's not the problem," Serenah muttered, completely flustered by Liz's suggestion. She glanced at the dresses again. There was a white mini-dress, a dark purple long strapless gown with slits up both sides, a turquoise halter-style mid-thigh gown, a classic black long flowy evening gown, and lastly an ombre violet/sapphire blue corset-style long skirt gown with black trim to round out the selections.
If she were being honest, she really liked the dark purple, the turquoise, and the ombre-colored gowns the most. Their colors seemed to call to her. She was partial to various shades of purples and violets because they accentuated her eyes.
"I've decided to go with these three." She pointed to her choices and giggled at Liz's and Penelope's squeals of joy.
"I like these better than the other dresses we bought the first time," Liz admitted. "I think you should wear the ombre-colored one to the Winter Ball. It is unique and will make you the envy of all the girls."
Serenah tensed at Liz's words. She didn't want to be the object of anyone's envy. It never turned out well for her when that happened. She didn't have the heart to contradict her friend, so she said nothing. She was saved from the awkward silence by Alastar's arrival with his outfit.
Liz and Penelope gave their opinions on his choice, gathered up the dresses Serenah had chosen, and went to check out. Serenah paid for her dresses and the group went to a few more stores: jewelry, make-up, and lastly the food court to eat.
Serenah hugged her purchase from the jewelry store to her chest with a happy smile. She would have to find some gift wrap and a gift bag for the present. She only hoped Romeo liked it. She decided to give it to him at the Winter Ball. It seemed like the perfect time to do that. Content with her plan she closed her eyes and dreamed of Romeo's reaction to her surprise gift on the drive home.