Spree

Adeline entered the café, bearing on her shoulders the stress of the week's workload. The door creaked open on a warm welcome, and within, she saw Charlotte holding down their corner table. Charlotte's sunny wave called her over, and Adeline smiled, even as her reserve faltered. The unvarying beat of her friend's company always seemed to be an anointing on those days that extended long and tiresome.

Charlotte: "You look like you've been running marathons. Tough day?"

Adeline sank into the chair opposite her, sloughing off her coat.

Adeline: "Something along those lines. But you know me—distracting myself is the best way to deal."

Charlotte arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

Charlotte: "And what better way than a shopping spree?"

Adeline smiled quietly. She adored Charlotte's spontaneity, the way she always seemed to be able to find amusement in the smallest things.

Adeline: "You and your shopping binges. I swear, you could get me into the most ridiculous things if you worked hard enough."

Charlotte: "I'm not working. I'm succeeding." She winked, already getting out her phone. "Come on. Let's go. No excuses."

Adeline let out a sigh, a mischievous smile at the edge of her lips.

Adeline: "Okay, okay. But you get to choose the shops. I'm not held accountable for the destruction."

Charlotte rose to her feet, already smiling.

Charlotte: "Deal. Let's do it. You need some excitement, and I need something blingy for my new office."

Adeline trailed Charlotte out of the café, a lightness already entering into her steps. She knew she required the opportunity of this moment. A respite from the ever-present tension of work, and whatever other thoughts may be plaguing her mind.

Several hours later, Adeline and Charlotte were standing in the midst of a designer boutique, with opulently pricey clothing around them which Adeline had only ever read about in magazines. Charlotte was delightedly browsing through a collection of dresses, while Adeline stood at the back of the store, aimlessly browsing through accessories.

Charlotte came out from behind a rack, displaying a glittering gown.

Charlotte: "This one. I'm going to look so good in this."

Adeline glanced at the dress, raising her eyebrows.

Adeline: "That's very. you."

Charlotte grinned, holding it up to herself in front of the mirror.

Charlotte: "Of course it is. But you, Miss Adeline, need to step out of your comfort zone. Come on, I've got the perfect thing for you."

Adeline stepped back, her hands raised in mock defense.

Adeline: "I'm not getting anything too fancy. You know I can't carry it off."

Charlotte's eyes twinkled with determination.

Charlotte: "You're going with me. I exactly know what will look good on you."

Adeline laughed, throwing up her hands in surrender.

Adeline: "Okay, okay. But if I look stupid, I'm blaming you."

They both strode over to an area that Adeline would have never thought to check out—sophisticated, but a little bit edgy.

Charlotte: "This one." Charlotte chose a slender, black dress. "Straightforward, elegant. Trust me, you will wear it, and you will feel different. More. you. I know that you've had a lot to cope with, and now this is the best moment to have a change."

Adeline stared at the dress, then at her friend's earnest expression. A part of her wanted to say no—wanted to remind Charlotte that this wasn't the moment for frivolity. But something about the way Charlotte was looking at her made her hesitate. She realized she could use a shift, something that might symbolize a new chapter.

Adeline: "Okay. I'll try it on."

As Charlotte glowed in triumph, Adeline walked into the dressing room, still racing in her head. But for once in a long time, she was not thinking of the office, or Elias, or the rumors of his upcoming engagement. She was simply. herself.

In a few minutes, Adeline walked out, her face a blend of astonishment and hesitation as she turned slowly in the mirror.

Adeline: "This. doesn't feel like me."

Charlotte moved closer, eyes sparkling.

Charlotte: "I told you. You're stunning."

Adeline gazed at herself, smoothing the fit a bit, and a grin pulled at her mouth. Perhaps Charlotte was right. Perhaps this transformation, no matter how minor this dress may be, might be the initial step in some greater change.

Adeline: "Fine. I'll get it. But only because you said I'm pretty."

Charlotte: "I always speak the truth. And you do."

Adeline: "I'm still holding you responsible if I regret this afterwards."

Charlotte: "You won't. I swear."

Walking towards the counter, the feeling of possibility, of weightlessness, hung in the air—evidence that, occasionally, the tiniest adjustments may result in the greatest ones.