What do you think about Lynne?

Clay:

Our shopping for Lynne's outfit was a lot less eventful than their… interesting choices for me. A part of me wanted to get Lynne back for making me try on such stupid-looking outfits. But I knew nothing about fashion. I didn't even know enough to choose what would look stupid. All my life I've only worn leftover rags.

Looking down at what I looked like in new, clean clothes, I felt something swelling in my chest. Like I could take on the world and hold my head up high. I was my own person.

Lynne searched around for his own outfit while Elizabeth was on the prowl. I stood awkwardly by the changing room. I crossed my arms, feeling stiff. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. Surprisingly, Mirabelle approached me.

"So… Lynne seemed to like that first outfit I picked out for you." She said with a smile.

I twisted my head away so she wouldn't notice my cheeks turning red. "That outfit was stupid." I spat.

"What do you think about Lynne…?" She asked. Her voice was steady, like she expected me to say something important. The look on her face matched that as I turned to her, however for some reason after a glance I couldn't look her in the eyes.

"Ah. He's… alright." I stuttered, unsure of what to say.

"He really likes you." She said bluntly. "Though I'm sure you're smart enough to see that already~"

I pressed my lips together, feeling stiff again. "I guess… he made that kinda obvious when we first met," I admitted. Just thinking about his stupid, bewildered face, as he called me cute and that confident sly smile… My heart started beating faster.

"How do you feel?" Mirabelle asked. Her tone was so calm, so friendly, and welcoming. It seemed almost natural to open up to her about my feelings. However, when I parted my lips, I had no idea how to put my feelings into words. I hadn't known him for long. And even if I did like him… in that way… he's the prince. I used to be a slave. We live in different worlds… well. More literally since he's actually from another world. Either way, nobody would accept our relationship. He probably was just caught off guard. Had some weird idea of a fantasy story. He'll find somebody else that he likes more.

Lynne deserves to be with somebody who would actually make him happy.

"What do you care?" I asked, finally meeting with the girl's silver eyes. Her smile lingered for a little longer.

"I enjoy seeing gays happy." Mirabelle bluntly stated. 

My eyes widened a bit, my face feeling hot again. "W-Wait! I never said-!"

"I've got a few outfits to try on!" Lynne exclaimed, carrying some clothes with Elizabeth. I quickly covered my face so he wouldn't see that I was blushing. Suddenly I felt embarrassed to even look his way.

"W-Well, try it on then," I exclaimed, turning away from him.

"Ah… yeh. Going now." Lynne stumbled, I could tell he was off-put by my sudden outburst.

He went into the change room, coming out in outfit after outfit. None really standing out as bad or good. He tried some that looked maybe a bit too princely. The whole gold and silver, the cape hanging over one side. He looked good in it… really good… but he just looked uncomfortable. It didn't seem to suit him.

Eventually, he came out in something that just... fit. The top was tight but comfortable. A two in one with long light blue sleeves underneath, a half sleeve over it in dark blue. It was a high neck top that folded over in a triangle shape on his right side, the edges outline in the same light blue as the long sleeves. The pants were a dark grey, simple but comfortable. He seemed like he liked it too, with the way he was smiling.

I didn't even notice how Elizabeth was walking out with a hand full of clothes of her own. "You both don't own any clothes. You have your battle outfits, but get some everyday clothes too."

I wasn't sure what that meant, but we all picked out some other comfortable stuff to wear, then walked it over to the cash. The person who was at the entrance of the place scribbled something onto a piece of paper before looking back up at us. "That will be 50,000 Tlabana." She stated.

I had no idea what that meant. I never learned about how buying things worked. I knew she was asking for something… and A LOT of it. Something that I doubted any of us had.

"Oh! Prince Charlton! Have you forgotten your wallet!?" Elizabeth suddenly exclaimed in a melodramatic performance of distress.

"NO WAY!" Mirabelle added. Her performance was even more over the top. She even thought it was a good idea to place the back of her hand dramatically against her forehead while leaning back. "WHATEVER SHALL WE DO!?"

"Well… PRINCE Charlton, can you ask your father KING Charlton, KING OF THIS WHOLE KINGDOM, if he could spare some money to cover this bill!?" Elizabeth shouted. Though she was looking at Lynne, she kept looking over at the woman in the store too.

I was too dumbfounded to speak. I think Lynne was too.

"Oh my!" The woman suddenly exclaimed, lowering her head to Lynne. "My apologies, prince Charlton. I did not know. Please, take whatever you'd like! Your friends too!"

Elizabeth and Mirabelle smirked at each other before heading towards the door. "Wow! Thank you so much! We'll make sure he puts in a good word to the king!"

I still wasn't sure what just happened. The way Lynne looked bewildered and uncomfortable made me think he didn't know about this plan, either. Since the two girls were leaving, I followed them out the door, Lynne also following close behind.

As soon as we were out of earshot of the place, the girls high-fived. "Wow! I can't believe that worked!" Mirabelle exclaimed.

"You didn't know it would work!? What would you have done if it didn't!?" Lynne exclaimed.

"Well, we're good for it," Elizabeth said, placing her hand on her hip. "But, getting free stuff is how the rich stay rich~"

I scoffed at that comment but said nothing.

"It's getting late. Now that you guys are all suited up, let's head back to the dorms," Mirabelle said.

"Dorms!? There are dorms here?" Lynne exclaimed. I had no idea what those were or why he was shocked.

"Yup! We'll take you two to the boy's dorm. It's not too far off from ours." Elizabeth said.

I still didn't know what dorms were, but I followed anyway.