A Fashion Emergency

Julian stood in front of his closet, arms crossed, staring at the pitiful selection of clothes inside. A few faded t-shirts, an old hoodie, and one button-up that looked like it had survived a war.

"This is a disaster," he muttered.

Tonight was his date with Lexi, and he needed to make an impression. He might not have money, but at the very least, he wanted to look like he belonged in her world.

His phone buzzed.

Alex: Hey, man. What's up?

Julian exhaled sharply before typing back.

Julian: I need your help. I've got a date with Lexi tonight, but I don't have anything decent to wear.

A few seconds later, Alex's reply popped up.

Alex: Dude, classic problem. What's your budget looking like?

Julian winced. Budget? What budget? He had already spent most of his money just planning this date.

Julian: Uh… was kinda hoping I could borrow something from you?

A second later, his phone rang.

"You're kidding, right?" Alex laughed as soon as Julian picked up. "Dude, you've seen my wardrobe. I barely know how to dress myself."

Julian chuckled. "Hey, you're not that bad."

Alex snorted. "Debatable. But listen, I've got a better idea. There's this tailor shop downtown, Sew Perfect. The owner, Mr. Sam, is a buddy of mine. If I put in a word, he might be able to hook you up with something nice for the night."

Julian's face lit up. "That sounds amazing, man. You'd really do that for me?"

"Of course," Alex said. "What are best friends for?"

Julian felt a wave of relief. Maybe things were starting to fall into place.

But just as he was about to thank Alex again, he heard a voice in the background.

"Julian?"

He froze. It was his mom.

"Hang on, man," he mumbled to Alex before lowering the phone. "Yeah, Mom? You okay?"

His mother appeared in the doorway of his small bedroom, looking tired. Too tired. Her illness had been getting worse, and though she tried to hide it, Julian saw the exhaustion in her eyes every single day.

"I need to talk to you, sweetheart," she said softly.

Julian felt his stomach tighten. "What is it?"

She hesitated before stepping into the room, wringing her hands together. "The doctor called. He says I need to start treatment soon… but the costs—" She exhaled shakily, as if even saying it out loud was too much. "I don't know how we're going to afford it."

Julian's chest tightened. He had been expecting this news, but that didn't make it any easier to hear.

"Mom…"

"I don't want you to worry," she rushed to add. "We'll figure something out."

But that was the problem—they didn't have a way to figure it out. His mom had been holding everything together for so long, but now… now she needed help. And they had no money for it.

Julian glanced down at his phone, still clutched in his hand.

A date? He was worried about a date while his mom was struggling with something so much bigger?

"Julian?" Alex's voice crackled through the speaker. "Everything good?"

Julian forced himself to respond. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here."

"Everything okay?" Alex asked, his tone shifting from playful to concerned.

Julian hesitated. He wanted to tell Alex. He needed to tell someone. But saying it out loud would make it real, and he wasn't ready for that.

"Yeah," he finally said. "Just… something came up."

Alex didn't sound convinced. "You sure?"

"Yeah," Julian lied.

"Alright… Well, I texted Mr. Sam. He said you can stop by his shop whenever."

Julian swallowed hard. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

"Anytime," Alex said. "Let me know how the date goes."

"Yeah… Will do."

As Julian hung up, he looked over at his mom.

"Mom, we will figure this out," he said firmly.

She gave him a tired smile and reached up to cup his face. "You always say that."

"Because I mean it."

But as she walked away, Julian clenched his fists, feeling completely helpless.

He needed to find a way to get the money for her treatment.

And he needed to do it fast.