Clothes Shopping

“Hey, Paige! How did your exams go?” Maple asked.

We were leaving the school building after finishing our final exams for the day. Today was the first half, with the other set of exams tomorrow on Thursday. From Friday onward until next year was winter break.

“They went fine, nothing hard. How about yourself?”

“Better than I expected! Especially now that I have you to give me motivation, so thank you!” she said before kissing me on the cheek.

“N—No problem. Say, since it’s a half day, we have more time, so would you like to get in touch with the others for the investigation?”

“Perfect timing! I was thinking of that just now; let’s meet up back at the abandoned house.”

After arriving, Maple laid out a notebook in the living room and began writing in it.

“Now that we have a group of people, we should do something officially, like a club. What do you think?”

“A club? Like a school club? We can’t possibly do that, can we?”

“Nah, it doesn’t have to be official. It can just be between us and the others. Here, let me show you…”

What followed was an elaborate description of Maple’s idea. Titled THE Paranormal Research Club, the theoretical club’s mission was to make contact with and help spirits. From the way she explained it, it was clear that the scope would go far beyond the current investigation, a tantalizing idea no doubt. But before I could ask for more details, Maple had something to do.

“This notebook will be the club’s charter with all the rules, findings, and other tidbits. However, it’s not complete without a cover image!”

Using colored pencils, Maple began drawing on the first page. Starting from left to right, she drew me, herself, Daniel, Kevin, Nick, Samantha, and then Miss Emily and Tater tots in the front. It was a drawing to say the least…

“My nose doesn’t look like that!” I said while pointing at my figure.

“Oh? I thought it looked cute! Like a little button nose!”

“No, no, my nose is more like this…”

A few changes later, I touched up the drawing to my liking.

“What do you think?” I asked.

“Whoa! You’re really good! I mean—that looks like a professional drawing!”

“I don’t know about that…”

“Here, try doing your own cover image!”

Taking the challenge, I set my “skills” to work on a fresh page, going in the same order that she did. Right away, I ran into a problem. Maple was staring down my neck in anticipation of how I would draw her. It was already difficult enough with someone watching, but for that person to be my partner?

“Maple, I hate to say this, but can you wait in another room while I draw?” I requested, sweat running down my forehead.

“Aww, I really wanted to watch your process, but if that’s what you want, then I’ll go…”

As she got up from the couch to leave, I tugged on her arm. “Never mind, you can stay,” I smiled.

“Ooo? I can? Yay!” Instead of sitting back down, Maple stood in front of me from across the coffee table. “Would it help if I posed as a reference?”

Thoughts began to race in my head about what she meant. Settled on one thing, I inadvertently blurted it out.

“You mean pose like how models do? Or, wait! That’s not what I—”

“Is that what you’re thinking? That’s quite lewd, don’t you think?” Maple hinted at. “I don’t mind doing that just for you. If so, then perhaps we should go shopping for some clothes, hmm?”

“But what about the charter?”

“No worries, dear; we can finish it later!”

* * *

Following a drive through traffic, we made it to a local shopping mall. As we entered, the air conditioning blasted us, giving some much-needed reprieve from the heat.

“What sort of clothes do you want to buy?”

“Hmm, stuff to make you happy,” Maple replied. “Pick some outfits you’d like to see me in, then I can try them out in the changing room.”

The clothing store we were heading to was a nostalgic favorite of Maple. According to her, when she was a child, her family (including her dad at the time) would visit the mall every other weekend. Each time they passed the store, Maple would ask to check it out. Due to her family’s finances, they couldn’t afford much, so she usually would only window-shop.

As we drew near it, Maple’s eyes were radiating with jubilation.

“It’s still the same as I remember it! Let’s go inside!”

Contrary to what I imagined, the store was small, yet swarmed with customers. Making our way through the men’s and children’s selections, we finally reached what we came for. Like a kid in a candy store, Maple was going wild, exploring every square foot of the women’s department with incredible passion.

“Would you like this?” Maple said, holding out a flashy red dress.

“Uh! I think it’s a bit too short! Maybe something less revealing?”

“Paige, you’re sounding like my grandparents.”

“I don’t mean it like that. I meant more it’s not my style… but if you like it, then I don’t see why not.”

There was a devilish look on her face. In no time at all, Maple went on a spree, collecting clothing as if everything were free. Dresses, skirts, blouses, cardigans, and sweaters, everything was relatively normal at first. Of course, this didn’t last for long as she began shopping for, of all things, lingerie. But as foreign as that category of clothing was to me, if she were happy with it, then I fully supported her choice.

We were now in the changing room area, having filled our basket to the brim.

“I’ll be waiting outside while you try the clothes. Just let me know when you’re done,” I said.

“Who said I was going in alone?”

“Maple?”

“Come here, silly!” Grabbing my hand and the basket, Maple pulled me into the stall, then locked the door. With the two of us inside, there was barely any room to breathe.

“We’re breaking store policy, aren’t we?”

“I don’t think so, but even if we were, no one will know as long as we keep quiet,” Maple whispered. “I want you to help me pick stuff out. That, and some of the zippers or whatnot, might be hard for me to reach.”

“But wouldn’t I see you… You know?”

“Are you uncomfortable with me changing? Don’t worry, I’m giving you full consent.”

It probably was only a matter of time before I saw her undressed. I figured that I might as well get used to it now.

“In that case, we can go with it,” I affirmed.

“Great! Oops, my bad—forgot we were supposed to whisper.”

From outfit to outfit, Maple put on a fashion show for me. She was already naturally pretty, but to see her model was something else entirely. No matter the clothes, she made it work, almost as if she were a magician.

Having burned through all the clothes she brought over, we were left with the lingerie to try. I gave her a nod before she proceeded. As she did, my entire face went red, not to mention how fast my heart was beating.

“Well, what do you think?” Maple asked, now wearing a set of white lace underwear.

“You look great, dear.”

“Thanks, hehe. Though you’re forgetting something to say. Can you guess what it is?”

I thought for a while before answering. “Maybe that we should check the price tag?”

She chuckled. “Mmm, try again. Think of a certain compliment.”

Just what could she have meant? Unsure, I went with what my gut said.

“That you… look sexy?”

From the look on her face, it seemed I hit the nail on the head.

Content with the clothes and lingerie we selected, Maple and I checked out, then decided to meet with the others on Friday to discuss our club concept. Until then, we returned to our respective homes. And while I texted my parents on the night I stayed with Maple, they hadn’t responded yet, not even as much as a “Read” notification.

It was worrisome, but with Maple and Nicole’s support, I was confident that everything would work out, come hell or high water…