Chapter 3

The mall is large and all the shops are varied. You have well known mass produced brands next to bespoke designer boutiques. Every shop is full of rows and rows of different things; most I have seen a hundred times before. It's noisy and crowded. I don't know how someone can love spending most of their free time here!

The first shop we go to is the same one we go to every time we are here; unfortunately for me that's a lot. I hate shopping. The girls in the shop know us, they could practical go on a game show and win money, they know us so well. One of the girls, Bridget her name is, helps Christina try on designer brands in the changing rooms while I just look through the racks. I glance at each piece of clothing quickly, bored out of my mind. We have only been in the shop for like five minutes and it has already become tedious.

Finally Christina struts out of the changing rooms holding a lovely little black dress and about two pairs of dark denim jeans. "Thank you so much for your help Bridget" Christina smiles as she pays. $200! For three items! Luckily Christina can afford it. "Did you find anything?" she asks me as we walk out the shop. I shrug; I never find anything I like and even if I did I couldn't afford to buy it. Christopher only gives me money for lunch, fuel and emergencies. It sounds like a lot but it isn't really. And we aren't exactly short for money, considering his job but we have to work for the money. I have a weekend job as well as doing chores at home. I have to earn it.

"Oh my Tris! This is your color" Christina holds up a t-shirt that is gorgeous. It's a light cherry blossom pink with a white lace neck and sleeves that cut off at the elbow.

"It's beautiful" I become slightly more interested in shopping. I look at the price tag. "I can't afford it" I sigh.

"It's only $20."

"Exactly. I only have $20 for the rest of the week."

Christina narrows her eyes at me and grabs the top off me. "Size?"

"Eight and why? I told you I can't afford it."

Christina doesn't listen. She picks up my size and storms to the checkout.

"What are you doing?" I run after her.

"Buying this top for you."

"No. You can't" I try to stop her.

"Shut up. I'm your rich best friend and if I want to buy you this I will. You can't stop me." She was right, once she was in this mind set there was no point in arguing with her.

"Thank you" I give her a great big hug as she hands me the black shopping bag.

"No worries. Now of to buy gym clothes."

"Christina, I'm not trying on those shorts." Christina is holding the shorts, if you can call them that, with a big smile on her face.

"Why not? They are fun, sexy, waterproof and wearable for gym and dance."

"No. I'm just getting legging like I had" I tell her straight.

"Just try them on" she whines and whines.

I ignore her and rummage through the racks, looking at the pretty clothes I could never wear. I try my best to ignore the whining of Christina in my ear; she is so annoying! She always does this until she gets her own way, something I weirdly love about her.

"Please" she extends the word.

"Fine" I snatch the shorts off her. It's the only way I can't end this shopping trip.

I look at my reflection in the cubical mirror. I hate the way I look, especially with the bruises. I have one on my side but that's covered by my top.

"Hurry up" I hear Christina stamping outside the cubical.

I roll my eyes and pull back the curtain. "There. Done. Can I get changed again now?"

"You look fit, but how did you get that bruise on your thigh. It looks nasty."

"This little thing? Bumped into a table. Clumsy" I lie through my teeth and cover up. Christina doesn't know about Christopher, she knows he is temperamental but she doesn't know about the abuse.

"Ok" she says unsure. I smile and change back into my own clothes. The end of this trip is in reach.