I switched off my alarm at a quarter to eight, rolled out of bed and went straight into the bathroom. I turned on some music, grabbed and towel and hopped in the shower.

I washed my hair with my vanilla shampoo and figured out what outfit I'd wear today while I sang my lungs out. I only had a quick shower, I need to be ready for nine.

I quickly threw my hair in a towel and wrapped another around my body as I did my skincare routine and brushed my teeth.

I went back to my room and put on my blue jeans and an oversized pink sweatshirt. It's still warm outside but you won't catch me wearing shorts and crop tops.

I dried my hair and clipped it up in a hair claw before putting on some mascara and lip balm to look more alive.

I texted Theo to make sure we were still on. *you awake?*

Dory ~ *I am now.*

*where are we going?*

*wait out front for me in 20.*

I scrolled through my phone for ten minutes before slipping on my shoes and going downstairs to leave Zoe a note:

Going out with Theo, be back soon. P.S. there's no food in the house, I'll go shopping later.

I tossed my phone, house keys and purse into my handbag and left, waiting on the bench outside of our house.

I replied to my snaps as I waited for him, and didn't even notice when he did, not until he lowered the car window. "What do you think?"

He sat in a black BMW, I'm not sure what type but I'm sure he'll explain ever detail of it to me.

"Oh my god!" I jumped into the passenger side. "Where did this come from?"

"From working on the site and an early birthday gift."

"That's amazing. You do know you're going to be my personal chauffeur now?"

"I knew you'd say that. Put your belt on."

We drove out of the estate and up to the village. He talked me through the car, the make and all the pros and cons, which completely went over my head. We drove past the school, down a small alleyway and pulled up outside a new shop with a massive sign saying Emma's Café.

"Since when was this here?"

"A few weeks after you left. I actually haven't been here yet, but I knew you'd want to check it out. Plus we have to try out the hot chocolate."

"Well aren't you thoughtful."

We went into the cozy store, immediately getting hit with the smell of pastries and chocolate. It was quiet old fashioned, with a wall full of books like a library and only a few tables. It was quiet empty, apart from a few middle aged women getting coffees and the staff working there.

"Are you eating in or out?"

"In, please."

"Follow me." She brought us to the table in the corner and handed us menus.

"What do you fancy?"

I gazed at all the breakfast options and couldn't decide. I never can, which I why I always get Theo to order. "Umm.."

"Who ordered for you in Europe?"

"Well not only could I not decide, I also couldn't read the menus, so I made Zoe do all the talking."

"Since when was Zoe multilingual?"

"She's not, she's just didn't care about embarrassing herself."

"Sounds like Zoe."

"Are you guys ready to order?"

You'd be surprised at how scary those words sound to me.

"Can we have the breakfast tray for two and two hot chocolates please?"

"Do you want cream and marshmallows?"

"Yeah please, thanks."

"Thank you." I sighed when the waitress left.

"No problem."

"Are you doing any of the extracurriculars?"

"Well I'm obviously still going to carry on with basketball but I won't have time for much more than that. Apparently they're starting new clubs, have you looked at them yet?"

"No not yet."

"They're on the website." He pulled out his phone and scrolled for a second before handing it to me. I took it off him and looked at all the options. There was more music, dance and drama, debate, science and sports - but only for the boys, of course. The school was never good for equality, there was always more sports for boys and they pressured girls into more stereotypically feminine things.

"Did you change your hair?"

"Hm?" I looked up from his phone to see him staring at me like he was trying to figure me out.

"There's something different about you, I don't know, I can't put my finger on it."

"I hope that's a compliment."

"Two hot chocolates." The waitress placed them in front of us. "Your breakfast will be here in two minutes."

"Thank you."

"Shall we test them?"

"We shall."

We both took a sip of the hot chocolate at the same time. We always get hot chocolate wherever we go. The best one we've ever gotten was from a small coffee shop in a village about an hour from here, we passed it when we were going to the beach last summer. Since then, we've never been able to top those.

"Mhm, eight out of ten."

"Eight point five, the whipped cream is good." He licked the cream off his lips.

The waitress brought over a tray of warm pastries with chocolate sauce dips and fresh fruit.

We dug straight in and I told him about the concert we went to in Spain. We were almost finish our croissants when both our phones beeped.

Joey ~ *End of summer party at mine tonight*

"I thought he was grounded?"

"Obviously not anymore. His parents are probably out of town."

"Are you gonna go?"

"I probably should show my face, you?"

"I'll think about it."

"I'm sure it won't be that good, just drinking and Joey's famous games."

"Mhm." I nodded. Theo doesn't normally like me going to parties, and if I do he doesn't let me off a leash. I think he thinks I'm going to get black drunk and strip or something.

The waitress came to clear our plates and Theo blatantly checked her out as she picked up the plates. "Thanks."

As soon as she was far enough away I burst out laughing at him and his smirk.

"What?"

"You could at least try to be discreet."

"What do you mean?"

"I- I swear I saw your eyes pop out of their sockets and drool seep out of your mouth." Tears began filling my eyes as he went red with embarrassment.

"Shh- fuck off."

I calmed down as she brought back over the bill. We argued on who was paying but I gave him the feminist speech and we ended up splitting.

"I've got to go to work now, should I drop you home?" He asked as we got back into the car.

"Can you take me to the shopping mall?"

"Sure."

*

"Thanks again." I waved Theo off as he drove out of the parking lot.

I was walking past Victoria's Secret when the underwear caught my eye and I decided to go have a browse. I'm only buying them for myself but I need another perfume anyways.

Five minutes later my basket was full of lingerie. I couldn't decide what colours so I ended up getting them all. I need to pay for them before I buy the whole shop so I picked up the perfume I already own and put it into the basket. I'll be here all day if I try them all, and I'd rather stay with my signature vanilla smell.

"Thanks, have a nice day."

I kept my head forward to distract me from the other shops and I made my way to the grocery store.

The shop was quite clouded because it's Saturday, but I don't mind. I went to get all the basics first, so we can actually cook and eat at home instead of going out or ordering in.

I took out my phone to check my shopping list and was so distracted I didn't even hear my name being called.

"Camila? Is that you?"

"Hm?" I turned around to see Matthew from my class a few steps down the isle. He had gotten taller and grown out his dark brown hair, now with a fringe framing his forehead.

"Oh my god, hey, how are you?"

"I barely recognised you. I'm really good, you? I thought you were travelling the world?"

I noticed he had gotten his braces off as he smiled down on me. I quickly realised he was looking down at the pink VS bag in my hands.

I moved it behind me and shuffled awkwardly, "Just got home yesterday, it was amazing."

"I bet it was. Are you going to Joey's?"

"I might do, are you?"

"Yeah I told him I'd go, I'd love if you came."

"I'll definitely consider." I smiled. I can't ignore how attractive he's gotten, and he now has decent fashion sense.

"See you soon, then." He winked. Shit, I can't not go now.

I carried on shopping and called Zoe to see if she could come pick me up.

"Are you awake yet?"

"Almost." She groaned.

"I'm shopping at the moment, can you come get me?"

"Ok, I'll be there in an hour."

An hour. Great.

I queued up and paid for the cart of food, putting it in two carrier bags. "Thanks."

I sat on the bench in the middle of the mall, locking eyes with a light purple dress in the shop's window. If I am going to Joey's party, I'm going to need something to wear...

Minutes later I was placing my shopping bags on the floor of the changing room as I was pulling the lavender satin fabric over my thighs.

It was shorter than I'd like, and my bust completely stretched it out, but I can't deny how good it makes me look and feel. The soft purple looked amazing against my tan, and fit tightly in all the right places. I'm putting a lot of trust in the thin straps at the top but it's only for a few hours.

Fuck it.

I walked out of the mall with two bags in each hand and found our car parked just outside, Zoe sat in the front sipping on a cup of coffee.

"Hey," She smiled as I climbed in, "thanks for doing the shopping."

We listened to music the whole ride home and while we unpacked. Zoe made pancakes and we watched a movie, but ended up talking over the whole thing.

"So I'm thinking of going to Joey's party tonight and I wasn't going to but then I was asked to go by Matt, you remember him from my class? He's been working with Theo, and he's changed, a lot, in a good way. So I can't not go."

"Hmm, just be careful ok? I don't like Joey."

"I don't have to go near Joey, it's just his house. Plus, Matt is the kid that holds open doors and gets straight A's. And Theo's going-"

"If Theo's going to be there, then ok."

"Thank you."

*

The movie finished and went to my room, unpacking my bags and grabbing towels before hoping in the shower.

The warm water felt amazing and the bathroom filled with steam and the smell of vanilla, my body was still smooth from the wax we got last week in Portugal.

I threw my hair in a towel and wrapped another around my body as I did my skincare and started applying my makeup. It's not something I'd normally do but it became a habit this summer after all the events we went to.

I added a small bit of purple to the corner of my eyes and did my eyeliner. My lashes weren't too extravagant but visible, and my lips were shining from my pink gloss.

I hummed along to Gwen Stefani on my speaker as I blow dried my hair, straightening it and letting it fall on my back.

I decided to text Theo because he's probably home from work now.

*I'm coming to Joey's, can I get a ride?*

*ofc, come over whenever.*

I changed into one of my new thongs and a strapless bra before slipping the dress back on. My white heels are low, I'm already tall enough so I don't need anymore height.

I sprayed myself in perfume and tossed my phone and lip gloss into a white bag before going down to get Zoe's opinion.

"What do you think? Too much?"

"No, a bit revealing but as long as it stays on I love it."

"Thank you! I'm going to Theo's, he's driving. See you later."

I blew her a kiss and rushed out the door to Theo's.