Angie pulled her hair out from beneath the collar of the dress and admired her figure in the mirror. She paid close attention to her modest bust and let out a sigh. She preferred her current appearance compared to the trouble she experienced as a woman in her twenties. Angie had to deal with a larger than average bust size and on her slim frame, it felt more exaggerated.
She pouted for a moment before she slipped on the loafers, stepping out of the dressing room. "Does this suffice?" She inquired, glancing towards Jessica who had taken a seat on a low chaise nearby.
Jessica motioned for her to slowly circle as she made several noises of indeterminate status. "It will do," she determined and took hold of Angie's hand.
…
"So? What's the story?" Josephine asked as she leaned closer to Elli. She had been surprised to find such delectable girls to walk into her store and even more so when one of them spoke to her in well accented French.
"Story?" Elli leaned away from her and rested her back against the counter. "Just a couple friends shopping." It was said casually and there wasn't anything casual about the pair judging by the determination in those eyes.
She was even more intrigued by the pair and felt even a tad infatuated by the cool response of Elli. She was gorgeous with her long honey brown waves and the serious gleam in her eyes as she took in every detail of her shop. Josephine might have been in love, had the girl been a few years older. "Can't deter me," she responded and gave her a once over.
"Whose idea was it? Yours?" She asked with a determined set of her lips.
"Angelica's," Elli supplied with a small grin. "But that's truly all you're going to learn."
Josephine was compelled to pout at her as that was all she needed to do to get her way with her younger brother. She had a feeling, however, the same couldn't be said for the girl in front of her. Despite being in her late twenties, Josephine Chao was still very much a child at heart, spoiled by those around her.
They lapsed into silence before the teen spoke up. "Do you believe her?" She inquired in a strange tone.
"Believe her?" Josephine blinked and thought back to those tawny eyes. "There was a strength in them. A type of strength not many her age have."
"You noticed," Elli murmured. It seemed as if some understanding had been reached as she glanced back towards the dressing rooms.
"Was she not always like that?"
"No. Maybe. I hadn't noticed until today."
"You two sound like close friends," Josephine responded, not commenting one way or another in regards to the new information. She found herself led deep into thought as she considered the situation. It was a tad strange for nobody to have noticed the flame which burned in her eyes especially if she may have always been that determined. She felt like she stumbled upon a new mystery.
…
Angie was herded back to the front of the store where Elli and Miss Chao stood silently. She noticed the conflicted expression on her friend's face as she walked to her side and nudged her. "Elli?"
The girl jumped as if startled and turned to take in her changed appearance. She blinked a few times before a smile spread across her face. "You really seem like a different person, Angelica."
"I will maintain my stance that these mass-produced items are undeserving of you," Miss Chao began with some new level of interest on her face. "But you seem more alive than when you walked in."
Angie blinked at that assessment and considered how she was feeling. She'd been back as Angelica for only a few short hours, but it was as if she'd awaken from a long dream instead of sent back to one. The clarity of her memories as Angie Dannel seemed to grow hazier as something, someone new-formed. The outfit was something a kid sheltering in the system could never afford. Everything on the outside belonged to Angelica. Everything on the inside had been built as Angie. Who was she anymore?
"Angelica?" Elli called out to her.
It was her turn to jump as she was wrenched from her thoughts. "I'm not the same Angelica I once was. Nor am I…" she let that hang in the air, knowing it would serve to only confuse them.
"You're still my friend," Elli chimed in and pulled her into a hug. "So...Angel, shall we start phase two?"
Angie laughed as she was suddenly christened with a new name. "Angel?" It sounded strange to her ears. Strange due to its newness. Didn't she want something new? The story of Angelica Yang and Angie ended the moment she woke up that day. Why wouldn't she write about someone new as well?
"I think I could get used to that," she said and looped her arms with Elli's. "We have phase two to commence."