Hallie walked over to the restaurant door that Luke was holding open. They walked in comfortable silence towards the tailor shop where Alice worked, both thinking about what Catherine had told them. 

Luke had it all together, at least on the outside. Hallie thought as she looked over at him. He was tall and well dressed. His jet black hair was slightly messy from the wind and his piercing green eyes were accented by all of the plants in bloom surrounding him. He didn’t seem like the type to need anybody or be overly affectionate. He didn’t even hug his aunt when he left. Everybody is different, I guess, but I wonder why he blocks everyone out. 

“We’re here” Luke announced as they came up to a small storefront with beautiful dresses on display in the windows. 

As they walked in, Hallie took in the design of the small store. The walls were painted a simple cream color and the floors were a warm shade of brown. There was no artwork or other decor and the clothes were displayed in a way that made them the prime focus of the entire store, all the way throughout. 

“Hey Luke! And this must be Hallie.” The cashier said, looking at me. “I’m Alice.”

“Hey”

“Hello, Alice. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Let’s see what we can find for you. My stuff is definitely a little big for you. I would have sent some other outfits that would fit better but Luke failed to mention that you are quite a bit shorter than me.” Alice says as shoots a glare at Luke.

“I don’t know anything about girls' clothing.” Luke said. 

“These are amazing. I honestly really like to wear oversized sweaters and shirts anyways.”, Hallie said in an effort to redirect the conversation. 

“They do suit you, but we have to do something about the pants I sent over to you. Those are going to be baggy and drag along the floor with how small you are. Although you look gorgeous as you are now, I am sure we can find you something to enhance your natural beauty even more,” Alice says as she grabs Hallie’s hands and begins to pull her around the store

Alice spent the next two hours digging through various types of clothing and pulling out anything Hallie’s size. Hallie was required to try on any combination that Alice deemed too cute not to try on in addition to the bare basics that they had come for in the first place. However, the session was incredibly successful and by the end the girls had found four everyday outfits and two dresses for Hallie to bring on the trip. 

“Okay, so these outfits are absolutely gorgeous, but we are definitely going to have to go out accessory shopping before you leave.”

“You’ll go with me? Thank goodness, you are a fashion expert. I don’t think I’ve ever looked this good!”, Hallie exclaimed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Alice had styled her hair so that her curls framed her face and the tight blue pants and fitted shirt set accentuated her curves in all the right places. 

“You look good no matter what you wear, this is just a little extra confidence from clothes that fit well and flatter your body shape.”

“Thanks, but honestly you picked out some amazing outfits that I never would have even thought of.”

“Just doing my job”

“Are you girls done with all of the girly talk? I need to head home and get stuff packed up to leave this evening and we should probably get some more food before we have to be at the Teca at 7.”

“We still have to buy her a few more things.” Alice answered. “I get off in like 30 mins and I can take her shopping.”

“Do you want to wait here and go with Alice?”

“Yeah. I’ll see you back at the house around 5?”

“That sounds good. You two be careful. Here’s some money for the stuff. Make sure to get her some sort of a suitcase or bag to store this in.”

“We will. Don’t worry so much. We will be fine.”

As soon as Luke left, Alice turned to Hallie and said, “I have never seen him this protective. He must really care about you.”

“We just met yesterday. It probably has to do with the fact that he found me outside of his house unconscious.”

“Wait, what?!” Alice shrieked “You were unconscious?”

Hallie spent the next thirty minutes telling Alice everything that had happened in the last two days. By the end, both girls were closer than ever. 

“I knew you had to go to the city for something, but Luke didn’t give any details. I figured it was important. I also thought it was strange that you hadn’t met me and mom yet, considering that we are his closest family, but I thought it was maybe a fast relationship or something. Things make so much more sense now.” Alice said. “I know this might sound insensitive considering your situation, but if you weren’t trying to get home, I think that you would fit in great here. We could be best friends and Luke…” 

“Yeah, I love it here. But, I miss home. Even if I didn’t have much there, it was mine, you know. I had a job, a routine, and my favorite restaurant. All of my favorite clothes. I was forced to leave everything that I cared about behind”

“I could only imagine. I love my home. It is amazing to have a place of your own to return to and relax in.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Of course. What else are friends for? Anyway, enough of this sadness. It is time for a shopping spree.”

By the time the two girls finished shopping, it was 4:30 and they had bought a new suitcase set, two pairs of shoes, a few accessories to class up a few of the outfits, and matching bracelets that Alice insisted on to commemorate their friendship. They quickly walked back to Luke’s house in a contemplative silence. 

Hallie thought about her new “friend” as the bracelet celebrating their friendship jingled against her wrist. She hadn’t really ever had any friends before. Of course she had acquaintances, and coworkers that she talked to but never any close friends. And of course, as soon as she finds a friend, she’s going to have to leave her.