⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ shopping haul ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

【 SEASON EPISODE 4 PART 3 】

Sarah and Clara had barely set foot off the boat when the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears. They turned in unison to see a man running after them, shouting something in a language neither of them understood. Without a second thought, Sarah grabbed Clara's hand, pulling her into a sprint. Clara, already laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation, followed Sarah's lead. Together, they raced down the dock, their feet pounding against the weathered wood as the distant shout of the man faded into the background. Their laughter echoed across the quiet bay, the sound of their carefree sprint blending with the rush of the sea air.

As they reached the end of the dock, Sarah let out a breath of relief and slowed her pace, pulling Clara towards the gate of the small town. They passed through the worn metal gate, feeling the ground beneath their feet shift to solid stone as they entered the town's cobblestone streets. Clara, still catching her breath, smiled at Sarah. "We lost him, didn't we?"

Sarah nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "We're too fast for him." She tugged at Clara's hand, playfully pulling her along. But then Sarah's gaze dropped to their clothes, their disheveled appearance stark against the neat, pristine surroundings of the town. She grimaced. "Oh my God. We're disgusting."

Clara glanced down at herself, then back at Sarah, not missing the dirt smudged across Sarah's shirt or the tousled hair from their chaotic escape. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh. "We'll never get into the archives looking like this." She motioned to their clothes again, now thoroughly coated in sand and grime from their hurried dash. "I promise you, they won't let us in."

Clara gave her a half-shrug, still laughing. "What's wrong with a little dirt? It's character."

Sarah shot her a pointed look. "You're crazy. But fine, if you want to look like you just crawled out of a swamp, that's on you."

Clara rolled her eyes and smiled, but Sarah could tell she was starting to agree. Without wasting any time, Sarah steered Clara down a narrow alleyway towards a small boutique that had caught her eye. The sign above the door, "Ben Silver," was elegant and understated, and it promised an air of sophistication.

"What about this store? Let's go shopping here," Sarah suggested, her voice bright with enthusiasm as she looked through the shop windows.

Clara paused, looking up at the refined facade of the store with a skeptical expression. "Absolutely not," she responded immediately, shaking her head.

Unfazed, Sarah grabbed Clara's backpack and tugged her toward the entrance. "Come on! It'll be fun, I promise!" she insisted, a playful glint in her eye.

Clara groaned but reluctantly followed. "Sarah, I don't think you understand. This is like an organ with the wrong blood type. It doesn't work." She gestured to the expensive store interior that oozed luxury.

"You're so dramatic, Clara. And I love it," Sarah replied with a grin, pushing through the door with an air of confident mischief.

Inside, the boutique exuded wealth. Soft lighting bounced off polished marble floors, and rows of high-end clothing adorned the shelves. Sarah's eyes gleamed with excitement as she started walking down one of the aisles, completely unfazed by the plush, upscale ambiance around her. She casually ran her fingers over a display of dresses, stopping when one caught her eye.

"This one would look perfect on you," Sarah said, lifting a delicate, flowing dress from the rack and holding it up to Clara. The fabric was a soft shade of blue, elegant yet understated, with a timeless cut that screamed sophistication.

Clara looked at the price tag and her jaw nearly hit the floor. "Sarah, oh my God! It's $250!" she exclaimed, her hands instinctively reaching for her wallet as if the dress might charge her just by being near it. "No way."

Sarah waved off her concerns with a dismissive flick of her hand. "Don't worry, Clare bear. I'll sugar mama you," she said with a wink, completely unconcerned about the price. Without hesitation, she draped the dress over her arm and moved on to the next item.

Clara's eyes widened as she took in the rest of the store, but Sarah was already several steps ahead. She strolled toward a case of bold, oversized hoop earrings, the kind that commanded attention the moment they entered a room.

"Oh, you definitely need these," Sarah said, pulling a pair of gold hoops from the display. She held them up to Clara's face, imagining how they would look against Clara's dark hair.

Clara opened her mouth to protest, but Sarah wasn't done yet. She marched over to a leather jacket that practically screamed rebellion. With one swift motion, she pulled it off the rack and tossed it over her shoulder. "This jacket is you," Sarah declared, her voice full of confidence.

Clara looked between Sarah and the leather jacket, a little stunned. "Sarah, this is going to cost a fortune!" she said, her voice filled with disbelief.

Sarah simply gave her a sly grin. "What can I say? I've got style, and I know how to treat my friends." She winked again, turning back toward Clara with a wide grin on her face, clearly enjoying the entire experience. She was in her element.

Just then, an employee-tall, well-groomed, and impeccably dressed-approached them with an air of politeness. "Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, his tone professional yet courteous.

Sarah's grin only widened, and she gestured toward Clara, "Yes. My friend here... Clara," she said, emphasizing Clara's name with a playful flourish.

Clara, still in a daze from the overwhelming sight of the clothes, nodded absently. "Clara," she repeated under her breath, still unsure how she got roped into this.

Sarah didn't miss a beat. She leaned in slightly, dropping her voice into a dramatic tone. "My friend Clara here needs all the help she can get," she said, the playful sarcasm unmistakable. She beamed at Clara, her eyes full of mischief.

Clara stared at her in disbelief for a second, then couldn't help but laugh. "You're lucky I'm letting you drag you into this," she muttered, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

The employee, clearly used to such banter, smiled politely and nodded, preparing to assist them. "I'll get a fitting room ready for you," he said before turning to walk toward the back of the store.

Clara shook her head, still reeling from the rapid turn of events. "I swear, you're going to bankrupt us both," she said, though she couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Sarah was a whirlwind, and there was no stopping her once she'd set her mind on something. But despite the growing pile of clothes Sarah had gathered, Clara had to admit-this was exactly what they needed after their chaotic morning.

And, just maybe, Clara could get used to a little indulgence now and then.

Clara stepped out of the fitting room, her face immediately flushed with embarrassment. The outfit Sarah had insisted she try on was... well, it was something else. She stood there awkwardly, hands tugging at the hem of an oversized neon fur coat that engulfed her small frame. The coat was a wild mix of electric pink and purple, and it looked like it belonged to a fashion show in the year 2085. Her legs were covered by high-waisted plaid trousers that had no business being in the same outfit-one with bold green, red, and yellow stripes zigzagging across. To complete the ensemble, Sarah had convinced her to try on a pair of enormous, gold platform boots that made her look at least five inches taller and like she could start walking in a Spice Girls music video.

Clara stood frozen in the middle of the boutique, feeling like she was trapped in a bizarre fashion nightmare. She hated every second of it but couldn't bring herself to take it off-partly because Sarah was having the time of her life.

Sarah, leaning casually against the fitting room doorframe, grinned ear to ear. She looked Clara up and down, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and adoration for the chaos she'd created.

"Oh my God, Clara," Sarah said, unable to suppress her laughter. "You look like a walking fashion crime scene. Are you auditioning for a role in a 90's music video?" She held a hand to her forehead dramatically. "No, wait-are you channeling a disco queen from outer space?"

Clara let out an exaggerated groan and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "This is ridiculous, Sarah. I can't believe you convinced me to try this on."

"Oh, don't be so modest!" Sarah teased, her grin widening as she took in Clara's outlandish look. "You're rocking it! You're like a neon beacon of boldness. Like, this is a statement outfit, Clara. It's screaming confidence, whether you want it to or not."

Before Clara could form a response, a store employee appeared, glancing over with a polite smile. He was tall, well-dressed in a crisp blazer, and clearly used to dealing with eccentric customers. He looked from Clara to Sarah with a slightly raised eyebrow. "How's everything going? Is everything to your liking?" he asked.

Sarah, always ready to take control of the situation, straightened up, her eyes gleaming with a new spark. "Oh, it's going fantastically well," she said enthusiastically, giving Clara a playful nudge. "Clara here is practically a model in this." She glanced again at Clara's outfit, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "But I was wondering... do you carry Balenciaga? You know, the high-end, edgy stuff with all the leather, studs, and that vibe. I've been dying to get my hands on something from them."

Clara blinked in confusion. "What's Balenciaga?" she asked, her voice thick with the confusion of someone who didn't understand fashion beyond her own sense of style.

The employee smiled knowingly, clearly prepared for this exact moment. "Ah, Balenciaga is a luxury brand known for their bold, innovative designs. They're a bit unconventional but always trendy, if you're into that kind of high-fashion edge."

Sarah gave Clara a sly smile. "See? You totally need some Balenciaga in your life," she said, practically gleaming with excitement. "They're a game-changer, trust me."

The employee's smile didn't falter as he looked over at Clara. "Let me check in the back. We may have a few new pieces," he said politely before turning away to disappear into the back of the store.

Clara turned to Sarah, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What did I just get myself into?" she whispered, barely able to wrap her head around it. "This is insane, Sarah! What about the dress, the earrings, and the jacket?" she asked, her voice tinged with panic, as she glanced back toward the racks.

Sarah winked, giving her a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. "Shh, just accept your fate," she whispered, almost conspiratorially, as if the fate of the shopping day had already been sealed.

Clara's mouth dropped open in horror. "What do you mean 'accept my fate'? What's gonna happen to me?" she hissed, the reality of the situation hitting her hard. "I don't even know what this Balenciaga thing is, and you want me to wear it?"

"You're going to look amazing," Sarah assured her, a grin tugging at her lips. "And about that dress... and the earrings... and the leather jacket," she continued, making a dramatic gesture toward the racks, "those might actually be... the last option if we can't get you to rock this look." She paused, her expression turning playful. "But, if you're really not feeling it... we can always try the more classic chic look. You know, something simple and effortlessly gorgeous. Balenciaga is a risk, but you never know what could happen."

Clara looked from Sarah's eager face to the racks and back again, feeling the weight of her decision. The pressure was real, and she couldn't back out now.

"Last option?" Clara whispered, her eyes darting between the clothes, still trying to process what was happening. "What's wrong with the dress and the jacket? What's wrong with a normal outfit?"

Sarah's grin only widened. "Trust me, Clara. The universe has chosen for you today. Embrace it. You'll look fantastic, even if you end up looking like a walking art piece."

The employee returned, holding a few bags with the Balenciaga logo emblazoned on them. Clara's stomach sank as she saw the unmistakable luxury brand's bags. The reality of her situation hit her all at once. This was really happening, and there was no going back.

"Look, Clara," Sarah said, practically giddy with excitement. "Your new life starts now!" She handed Clara one of the bags with a flourish, as if she had just bestowed a crown upon her. "This is it."

Clara stared at the bag in her hand. "I can't believe this," she muttered, feeling the weight of the decision.

Sarah beamed. "You'll love it. And if you don't... well, you'll still look fabulous. So just accept it."

As Clara sighed and glanced around the store, she realized there was no escape from Sarah's high-fashion whirlwind. Balenciaga it was. Maybe this was her moment to embrace the chaos, to try something new. After all, what was life without a little unexpected adventure?

The employee walked off, leaving Sarah and Clara standing in the boutique, the bags now firmly in their hands.

"Shh, just accept your fate," Sarah whispered again, her voice a sweet reminder that, sometimes, all you could do was go along for the ride.

Clara sat in the fitting room, staring at herself in the mirror. She had reluctantly tried on the dress Sarah had picked out for her-a stunning, floor-length gown that shimmered under the soft lighting of the boutique. The fabric was soft and flowing, made of a deep emerald green satin that complimented her complexion perfectly. The neckline was elegantly cut, and the dress hugged her body in all the right places. It was gorgeous, but it was also way too much-too fancy, too beautiful. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was too much for her.

She peeked out from behind the curtain, her voice low. "I'm not coming out, Sarah. You're probably going to buy it, and it looks amazing on me, but... I don't know."

Sarah, who was lounging on a chair outside the fitting room, grinned like she had been waiting for this exact moment. "Come on, Clara. You've gotta come out! It's literally made for you."

Clara sighed, pressing her face into her hands. "No, I'm serious. You're going to buy it, and I'll be left with this dress I'll never wear. It's too... much."

Before Clara could protest any further, Sarah shot up from her chair and, without waiting for another response, swung the fitting room door open. Clara was caught mid-sentence, and there she stood-staring at herself in the full-length mirror, the dress cascading beautifully over her frame, the reflection taking her by surprise. It was more than just a dress; it was an absolute showstopper.

Sarah, leaning against the doorframe, grinned wider than ever. "You're not wrong," she said, eyes lighting up as she took in the way the dress hugged Clara's figure. "You look incredible, but I'm still getting it for you. Trust me. You have to have this in your life."

Clara's cheeks flushed as she spun slightly, checking herself out in the mirror. She couldn't deny that the dress fit like it was custom-made for her. It clung to her body in all the right places, emphasizing her curves in the most flattering way. She stepped out from behind the curtain, still staring at her reflection in awe.

"See? This is why you shouldn't let me try things on," Clara muttered, now fully caught up in the magic of the moment.

"Oh, I'm glad you're on board now," Sarah said with a smirk. "Now, let's complete this look."

Sarah handed Clara a pair of bold, sparkling hoop earrings from one of the nearby jewelry displays. Clara raised an eyebrow but slid them on, feeling a bit more glamorous with each accessory. Next, Sarah tossed a sleek leather jacket her way. It was edgy, perfectly balanced with the elegance of the dress.

Clara slipped her arms into the jacket, the combination feeling completely unreal. The outfit was giving her a whole new energy, like she was someone else entirely. Someone way cooler and more sophisticated.

Sarah, eyes gleaming with excitement, gave Clara a once-over. "Since we're out here, we have to assume another identity. In fact, we probably shouldn't even be using our real names anymore."

Clara, feeling bold in the new look, smirked. "Yeah, so we need aliases. What are you thinking?"

Sarah tapped her chin, clearly in the middle of some genius thought. "Hmm, I think I'll go with Virginia... from... France. Yeah, that works," she said, nodding to herself as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Clara blinked, trying to keep up. "Uh... okay... what about me?"

"Hmm..." Clara thought for a second, grinning mischievously. "How about Valerie from Quebec?" She paused, then added, "You know, Valerie du Quebec."

Clara's face scrunched in confusion. "No idea what you just said, but it sounds fancy."

Sarah chuckled, clearly amused by their little moment of pretending to be sophisticated. Clara smirked and then, in a playful attempt to get into character, spoke some French with a dramatic flourish.

"Je suis très excitée d'être ici, vraiment," Clara said, smiling wide as she said the words with all the flair she could muster.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Ah, bien sûr, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, mademoiselle," Sarah replied smoothly, playing along.

Clara nodded with a flourish. "C'est vrai! J'ai toujours voulu acheter quelque chose de totalement absurde dans un magasin chic, non?"

"Absolument." Sarah replied, before they both burst into laughter, clearly feeling the rush of their new identities.

They continued speaking French for a few more moments, enjoying the change in dynamic. The air between them felt lighter, filled with excitement. Finally, Clara switched back to English with a wink.

"Okay, since you're dressing me," she said, "it's your turn."

Sarah grinned, looking around the boutique. "Oh, you are so on. Bring it on, Clara. I'm ready for whatever you throw at me."

Clara's eyes twinkled as she gave Sarah a teasing look. "Alright, Virginia... let's see what you've got. I think it's time for you to make a grand entrance."

Sarah stepped out of the fitting room with a flourish, the bright pink dress hugging her body in all the right places. The fabric was sleek and sophisticated, but something about it just didn't seem quite right. She stood in front of Clara, awaiting her reaction with a confident smile.

Clara crossed her legs as she sat on the bench, her eyes scanning Sarah up and down. She smirked, unable to hold back her playful side. "You... look great," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, and she let out a short laugh.

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by Clara's words. "You sure?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly as she caught on to the playful tone in Clara's voice.

Clara shook her head, barely containing her amusement. "You look like a businesswoman," she teased, gesturing to the dress. "You should be handing out corporate brochures or attending a board meeting. Very... PowerPoint chic."

Sarah swung her hair over her shoulder with a dramatic flair, walking a few steps away from Clara as though she were posing for a photoshoot. "Well, if I'm channeling my inner CEO, I'd say I'm ready to close some deals," she said confidently. But as she twirled around to face Clara again, her grin faltered. She turned back toward the changing room, "I'm changing this up."

Clara grinned and shook her head, watching as Sarah strutted back into the fitting room.

Moments later, Sarah emerged again, but this time, it was a different story. She was now wearing a purple dress that was clearly not fitting properly. The fabric was bunched up at the waist, and the straps were hanging loose, making Sarah look like she was drowning in the dress.

"How do I even put this on?" Sarah groaned in frustration, fiddling with the straps and looking lost.

Clara glanced up, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Is that a lavender or plum?" she asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.

"Lavender? Plum? Who knows? I can't even tell anymore," Sarah muttered, adjusting the fabric hopelessly. "I'll figure it out." She rolled her eyes, already heading back into the changing room. "Give me a minute."

Clara chuckled, watching as Sarah disappeared behind the curtain. She had to admit, Sarah had a certain way of making even a disaster look stylish.

When Sarah came out again, she was wearing a pink dress-this time, it wasn't a perfect fit either. The straps hung loose, and there were long strings hanging from the fabric. But Sarah didn't seem to care. With a dramatic swing of her arm, she began to twirl the dress around as if it was a prop in a dance routine.

"This dress comes with built-in nunchucks," Sarah joked, flinging the loose ends of the dress around in exaggerated movements, nearly knocking over a rack of clothes in the process.

Clara burst into laughter, shaking her head. "I think you might be onto something with the whole martial arts fashion line," she said, trying to hold back the giggles. "It's... definitely unique."

Sarah stopped, smiling playfully at Clara as she struck an exaggerated pose, hands on her hips. "I think I'm onto something here," she said, grinning.

After a few more seconds, Sarah waved her hand dismissively and walked back into the changing room, clearly fed up with the dress.

A few minutes later, Sarah walked out, this time in a fresh white dress with blue stripes running along the fabric. It was far simpler than the other outfits, but there was something undeniably stunning about it. The dress fit her perfectly, and she'd styled her hair into an elegant, smooth bun, giving the whole look a touch of grace.

Clara blinked as Sarah stepped out, momentarily stunned by how beautiful she looked. "Wow," she said, her voice full of awe as she stood up from the bench. "You look... amazing, Val."

Sarah gave a small, confident twirl, letting the dress flow around her as she turned in place. "You have a way with your words, Virginia," she smirked, her eyes lighting up with the teasing tone in her voice.

Clara's face flushed as she looked at Sarah, trying to find the right words. "I... I wasn't kidding. You really do," Clara said, her voice quieter now, more sincere. "That dress... it's perfect on you."

Sarah's smile softened at the compliment, but she was quick to toss the playful remark back. "Well, I guess we have a winner." She paused for a moment before adding with a wink, "But we still need a little... accessorizing."

Clara laughed, shaking her head as she walked over and grabbed the jacket from a nearby rack. "Right. You're definitely right about that." She slipped the jacket on, adjusting it over her shoulders.

"I think we have a winner," Clara repeated, her voice a little more serious now, looking Sarah up and down one last time.

Sarah gave Clara a gentle nod. She turned to fix the collar of Clara's jacket, smoothing out the creases, and then stood still for a moment, her fingers lingering on the fabric. She seemed lost in thought.

Clara, sensing the shift in the mood, took a deep breath and hesitated before asking, "Can I ask you something?"

Sarah's fingers froze mid-adjustment, and she glanced up at Clara, her eyes guarded. "Sure," she replied, voice steady but soft.

Clara's eyes softened as she took a step closer to Sarah. "Why did you come?"

Sarah paused, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment. She took a slow, deliberate breath. "To finish the mission," she muttered under her breath, avoiding eye contact.

Clara shook her head slightly. "No, for real," she pressed. "Why did you come?"

Sarah's expression faltered as her lips parted, caught between honesty and the desire to hide the truth. She took another breath, and this time, when she spoke, her voice was quieter, more vulnerable. "Because..." She paused. "I'm 16, and I already know what the rest of my life is going to look like. It's going to be... yacht clubs with rich, hollow people, filled with pointless small talk. I feel like if I don't get out of the Bubble Wrap now, I never will. I'll be stuck in this life, trapped by it." Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. "By the time I'm 30, I'll be an alcoholic, and I won't even notice."

Clara's heart twisted with sympathy as she heard Sarah's words. She walked a little closer to her, her expression softening. "Val," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "I won't let that happen."

Sarah was silent for a long moment, her hand still resting on Clara's jacket. She glanced up, her eyes shimmering with uncertainty. "I don't know if you can stop it," she admitted. "But... thanks for saying that."

Clara's smile grew, her eyes full of warmth and conviction. "You don't have to thank me. I'm your friend," she said, voice steady. "And I'm not going to let you fall into that trap. You're not alone in this, okay?"

Sarah looked at Clara for a long moment, her tough exterior wavering as she absorbed Clara's words. For once, she let herself believe them.

"Thanks, Clara," Sarah said, her voice soft. She straightened Clara's collar one last time, then met her eyes. "That means more to me than you know."

Clara smiled and reached out, squeezing Sarah's arm in reassurance. "Always, Val," she said, her tone firm. "You've got me."

They shared a moment of quiet understanding, standing there together in the boutique, surrounded by the colorful dresses, the weight of the unspoken bond between them hanging in the air like a promise.

ASH SPEAKS!

I LIED IM SORRY ONE MORE CHAPTER UNTIL THEY KISS. I THOUGHT I COULD DO THIS EPISODE IN 3 PARTS BUT I HAVE TO DO IT IN FOUR!! I SWEAR NEXT CHAPTER

how are you guys feeling after the obx4 ending? (no spoiling since some people haven't seen it yet)

i published a jj maybank fic!! go check it out. its called "blowing smoke"

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)