Week after week, Normani began to grow more and more excited to come into work every Sunday. Somehow Amala's work continued to stun her with their beauty. The photographer would constantly bring back film from different locations, showcasing their beauty even to the simplest of subjects. Because Mr. Hamilton heard no complaints from Amala, he continued to let his daughter develop and print her film. To her surprise, it was an extra work task that she didn't mind at all.

Normani knew being in Amala's business was extremely nosey and somewhat unprofessional but she couldn't help it. It was like she was in for a weekly subscription to Amala's Shots. Not to mention, Amala was always a pleasure to assist. It was a two for one in Normani's book.

Normani wanted to know what compelled her to travel and take such shots every single week. Maybe she worked as a travel photographer? Maybe she's just a super rich art kid? Either way, Normani couldn't deny the talent.

"It's almost time to close Mani," Megan's voice snatched Normani from her daydream. The brown girl looked down at her wrist watch to read 4:25pm. Five minutes to closing.

She rubbed her face tiredly and looked back over at her sister, "I'll stay on the floor until then. You can go clean everything up in the back with Dinah."

Megan raised a brow at her sister but obeyed and made her way towards the back. The same Normani that was always eager to leave, decided to stay on the floor? She had to be on some special drugs.

Rather than go on her phone, Megan decided to lean against the back wall and watch as their sister sat at the register. Normani almost looked nervous, a bit antsy. This was definitely new. Out of all of Megan's years with Normani, the girl was as cool as a cucumber in a freezer in the middle of December. This new side was something out of a fairytale.

Dinah dusted her hands off on her apron as she made her way towards Megan. She had finished everything in the back and was ready to close up as well. The Polynesian woman turned towards her coworker then towards Normani. Dinah's face scrunched up in confusion, "What is she doing on the floor? It's almost closing."

"The hell if I know. She told me to come to the back with you until closing." Megan muttered as she stared at her sister. She had to have something planned.

Both Dinah and Megan's heads snapped at the sound of gentle knocking from the entrance. There stood an eager light skin woman with a tiny side bag. The woman knocked once more and pointed at her wrist. Megan followed her gaze to see Normani seated at the register with a small smile. Now both of Megan's eyebrows raised at the sight. So that was why Normani decided to stay on the floor.

Normani rose her hand, gesturing for Amala to enter. Amala happily opened the door and made her way into the store. The woman's knick knacks clanked and jingled against her small bag as she knowingly made her way around the store to her usual products.

"The door was open today!" Amala stated as she browsed through the instant film.

Normani let her chin rest on the palm of her hand as she watched the light skin woman shop, "Yeah, I figured I'd make it easier on you today."

"Thank you!" Amala beamed in an appreciative manner, "I'm sorry for always making you open the door for me. I really appreciate you giving me these last couple minutes."

"No problem," Normani nodded. She let a few seconds pass before clearing her throat and sitting up straight, "So Amala, you here to pick up something again today?"

It was a small conversation starter that Normani already knew the answer to. She wanted to see how Amala would answer to know how the interrogation would go. Normani had been planning this interaction all week in her head. She was too nosey to not know why this girl travels and takes so many photographs.

Amala nodded, "Mmhm. I have prints and negatives to get back," The light skin woman held up two Polaroid film packages and tilted her head, "Should I get i-Type Star Wars film or Black and White 600 film for my Polaroid?"

"Black and white, it's gonna be sunny all week here." Normani answered, another calculated response. She knew Amala would ask for her opinion on film, as she did every week. This time she purposely put those two at the front. They were new and seemed like Amala's type of medium.

Amala tilted her head in the other direction and stared at the film, "That's the thing though, I won't be in town this week. I'm actually gonna be in a rainy place all week. Would my pictures still be able to develop properly?"

"Checkmate. We're getting somewhere." Normani mentally high fived herself but continued to keep her cool demeanor, "Depends on where it is. Is it gonna be cloudy?"

Amala put the two films off to the side and continued to browse, "Most likely. Washington is kind of a rainy dark place."

"Oh wow, Washington! That's such a weather flip from us. I hope you have some rain boots ready." Normani had planned this part of the conversation as well. This was the part where she'd dive deeper into why she's traveling. If the conversation continues well, she could get all the information she needed in a flash.

Dinah shook her head, "She didn't close up early just to interrogate this woman."

Megan shook her head as she watched the two interact. This was one of Normani's classic interrogations. She should know that better than anyone. She received countless Normani Interrogations throughout her life. It was easier to spot from the outside than from the inside of the conversation. Normani was a master manipulator but for all the good things. It was a blessing that her sister used her power for good.

Amala smiled at the worker, "It'll actually be my first time in Washington. I've never been there before."

"Really? Whatcha going for?"

"Pictures!" Amala responded happily.

"You shooting for someone out there?"

"Yes and no."

"So you're being commissioned in Washington?"

"Nope!"

"Oh so you're just going for yourself?"

"Kinda."

"Wait what? Kinda going for yourself? What does that mean?"

"Exactly that!"

Megan couldn't help but chuckle at her sister. Maybe Normani's interrogation didn't work on everyone. Normani seemed to be going nowhere with the information. Amala brought the Black and White Polaroid film alongside other 35mm films onto the counter. Normani's eyebrows furrowed together at Amala.

"Wait so you're going to Washington to shoot for someone but also for yourself? And you're not just going for yourself but you also are?" Normani repeated, utterly confused by the response she was given. Amala nodded, her smile never leaving her lips.

Normani was even more confused now, "You're spending all this money to just go out into Washington blind? Why would you jump into something new like that on a whim?"

"Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you?" Amala replied. Normani sat at the register stunned. She had planned for every possible conversation outcome of this interrogation. She had even done research on new photography trends to prepare for this conversation but did not expect for it to be flipped back on her.

Normani starred at the girl in shock, "I umm, I uhh-"

Dinah and Megan both turned towards each other, baffled at the fact that Normani had not only met her match but turned into a stuttering mess in the process. This random regular customer had somehow broken the Normani Hamilton.

"I want to be able to live my life to the fullest. There is so much potential everywhere so why not take a chance with the things everyone is too scared to give a shot? I put my faith in these places because who else will take a chance on the underdogs?"

Normani stared at the woman before her. Amala stared back at Normani. The planned conversation she once had was now gone into the wind. It began with Normani leading but now she had no idea where any of it was going. Somehow she had lost her leverage and Amala had taken control of the conversation. With a smile on her face at that.

Amala grinned widely at the brown skin woman, "You'll never know how sweet the batter tastes unless you get your spoon in the mix." The light skin woman winked playfully at Normani, making her cheeks grow warm. She couldn't help but be flustered at the harmless gesture.

"You're umm, you're right. Umm-" Normani cleared her throat and began to scan Amala's items, "I'll get your umm, yeah." Normani's brain was beyond reasonable responses at this point. She stood up from her stool and turned to make her way towards the prints.

Dinah and Megan scattered like roaches towards the back once Normani made her way towards them. The pair looked at each other behind the wall, knowing looks on both their faces. Smiles crept onto their faces once they made eye contact with one another. Normani truly did meet her match.

~~~

Dinah squinted her eyes at her best friend as she sprayed glass cleaner on the counters. Something was off about Normani and Dinah could feel it. The two had been best friends for so long that she could clock when she was acting differently in an instant. She fiddled with the broom and dustpan in her hand, trying to figure out what was different.

The brown skinned woman's features seemed to pop more. Her shirt was neatly tucked into her work pants. Normani's hair was nicely brushed up into a puff.

As Megan began to walk past Dinah, the Polynesian woman grabbed the taller woman by her shoulder, bringing them back, "Hey dude, does Normani have make up on today?"

"I don't know bruh, just look at her." Megan shrugged off the woman and tried to walk past only to be yanked back to Dinah once again.

"I didn't ask you to gossip, dummy. I don't know so look at her and tell me if she's wearing makeup." Dinah gestured towards Normani making Megan groan.

She scanned her sister and rolled her eyes, "She clearly did her eyebrows and has eyeliner on stupid. Of course she has makeup. Wasting my damn time, open your eyes." Megan turned once again towards the back and made her way towards the orders. Ignoring the coworker's remarks, Dinah continued to stare at Normani.

Normani tossed the rag on her shoulder and looked down at her wrist watch once again. She exhaled through her nose and continued to walk around the store, fixing things. It wasn't a busy day so there was no reason for her to be so proactive.

"She knows Sundays are so easy. She should be sitting on her ass right now." Dinah muttered to herself. She reached for her phone in her pocket to see 3:25pm displayed on her lock screen.

Dinah almost laughed aloud at her best friend. She was trying to find busy work until closing. She hadn't seen Normani this active in the store since they were younger. Dinah walked over to Normani, "Hey Mani. Let me get the rest of the counter. I have to clean the tables anyway. Here just sweep the back, I got it."

The Polynesian woman stood before Normani with the broom and dustpan. Normani rose a suspicious eyebrow at Dinah.

"What?"

"What are you playing at Dinah?"

Dinah sucked her teeth at the woman, "Just take the broom dammit. I'm supposed to be on the floor anyway."

Normani rolled her eyes and muttered to herself as she took the broom and made her way towards the back. Dinah knew the task would keep her occupied. More importantly, it would keep her out of earshot of the front door.

Dinah had only had a few moments with the infamous Amala. She never spoke to the woman but knew of her. She somehow had Mr. Hamilton and Normani develop her film for her. Mr. Hamilton never took such special requests and Normani hadn't developed film by hand since their youth. She had some sort of voodoo magic on the two and he had to figure it out for herself.

~

Dinah grunted as she rested on her knees and restocked the lower film shelves behind the counter. A small knock on the glass entrance door made the Polynesian woman's ears perk up. She quickly pulled out her phone and checked the time. 4:25pm. Five minutes to closing.

Dinah smoothed her work shirt and stood up, revealing her presence. The smile painted on Amala's face now morphed into a confused point. Dinah nodded for the woman to enter.

Amala made her way into the store. Rather than go straight to her usual browsing, her head turned in every direction.

"Looking for anything specific?" Dinah asked, raising a playful brow at the woman.

Amala shook her head, "No not exactly. I know what I come for every week."

Dinah tilted his head, a smirk on her face, "Looking for anyone specific?"

"Yes actually," Amala adjusted her grip on her side bag and finally connected eyes with Dinah, "Is Normani here today?"

The Polynesian woman made her way around the counter and stared at the woman, "She's a little busy right now but I think I can help. I've worked here as long as she has."

Dinah crossed her brown slender arms and leaned against the counter. Dinah knew she was attractive and often used it to her advantage. She was a tall Polynesian woman who was a smooth talker and knew exactly how to get whoever she wanted. If this girl was just another random looking for something quick, then she wasn't for her best friend.

"No it's okay. I wanted to see Normani today but I guess I'll just see her next week." Amala shrugged dejectedly and made her way towards the instant film.

Dinah chuckled and continued to talk to the customer, "What'd you want to show her that you can't show me?"

"A building I saw on my trip," Amala flatly responded as she shuffled through the Polaroid films, "Should I get the Round 600 Polaroid film or the Keith Harring i-Type film?"

Dinah looked at the films she was flicking through. She truly did not know the difference nor cared for the difference, "I don't know, I think you'd look cute in either honestly."

Amala flipped the film packages over, not bothering to look up at Dinah, "They won't be Polaroids of me. They're for memories. I think I'll just go with this one." The light skin girl made her way towards the counter with the sole film.

"Is that all for you today love?" Dinah asked, a charming glint in her voice. Rather than being met with a blush and shy response, Amala glanced around the shop, not even paying Dinah any attention.

"I'm also here to pick up prints. Are you sure Normani isn't in? It's really just you today?"

Dinah leaned in a little, a smirk on her face, "What if it was just me today?"

"That'd be a shame. One person can't run a store by themselves," Amala mindlessly responded as she reached in her bag for her wallet. She pulled out the card and handed it towards the woman, "Here you go. I'll be paying debit today."

Normani snickered to herself at Dinah's various failed flirting attempts. The fact that Amala didn't even pay her any mind made a grin spread across her face. She had been watching from the side and loved every minute of Amala's oblivion.

"Here Amala, I believe these are your prints of the week." Normani spoke, making her presence known. The dark skin woman made her way over with the envelope of Amala's prints. The sight of Normani made a wide smile spread across Amala's face.

Amala turned towards Normani, completely forgetting the baffled Polynesian woman before her, "Normani! Washington had such cool buildings, look at this one I saw in Takoma!" Amala excitedly handed Dinah her card as she reached for her phone.

Not only did Amala not fall for any of Dinah's antics but she brushed her off to the side like she was nothing more than a nuisance. If she hadn't done it to her, Dinah would have found it almost admirable to be that strong willed.

Normani couldn't help but smile as she walked over to Amala to see the photos. She had actually seen them earlier when she developed the pictures but was more than happy to see more of Amala's shots. Amala animatedly began to recall multiple photo scenarios she experienced while in Washington, Normani happily listening along.

Dinah shook her head, a smile plastered on her face at the two. The Polynesian woman placed the debit card on the counter and made her way towards the back, giving them their space. Megan looked up from her phone at the sudden presence in the back.

"Ready to go?" She questioned, already out of uniform.

"Almost, just give Mani a little bit," Dinah grinned, "She's just finishing up something."