IGNITE

fourteen.

੭୧ 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 ੭୧

"Seriously, how much longer do we have to do this for?"

My head pounded as I shifted my weight for the thousandth time, desperate to alleviate the pain shooting up my calves. "My feet hurt, I'm tired, and you refuse to stop for lunch."

Max simply blinked at me, adjusting the various bags that lined her arms as she dragged me into another store. "Pipes, we don't have time for lunch!" She threw her bag-clad arms into the air, "we're having fun!"

"You're having fun." I muttered, hanging my head in defeat as my best friend began to mumble to herself about various articles of clothing she thought she needed as she scanned the store.

The entire day had been spent in a shopping frenzy that only Max would go to such great lengths to drag me along for. I had lost track of the number of bags we had accumulated, all of which were currently draped on Max's arm as she fluttered around the store with more energy than I had possessed in the last month.

A sharp gasp had me spinning around, finding the brunette with the world's shortest skirt in her hands, a light blush on her cheeks as she held it against herself in one of the many large mirrors that lined the walls of the boutique.

"Isn't this just the cutest?" She gushed, turning to face me before shooting me a sly, calculating smile. "It would look insane on you, Pipes."

My mouth popped open, ready to respond that no, I had no interest in the skirt—even though I knew I was being baited into a response—but quickly shut it at the glare she gave me, knowing full well that my protests were falling on deaf ears.

"Don't pull that on me," I crossed my arms, ignoring the grumble in my stomach and the worrying dizziness in my head as I sent a glare of my own back at my friend. "I'm not buying that."

Max simply huffed, tossing the skirt back onto the rack and striding towards me. She dropped her bags into my arms and gave me an amused look as I almost doubled over at the sudden weight. "Oh, Pipes," she clicked her tongue at me before shaking her head, her lips pulling up into a small grin. "Let me style you, it would be so fun! We're so...different."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you know..." Max grinned wider, toying with the fabric of my long, flowy maxi skirt as she eyed my loose tank top, giving me a teasing wink. "You're more hippie-chic, and I'm...well, I'm not."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, stepping away from my friend's grasp. She had a point. Max had always been known for looking put together—always sporting short skirts and tight, matching tops, her hair and makeup done to perfection.

She was a work of art.

Me, however, I looked like I was constantly lost in a hurricane. A very comfortable and free hurricane that let me paint whenever I wanted, and wear skirts and flowy shirts whenever I wanted—which was all the time.

"I'm buying the skirt for you, as a present." Max's teeth gleamed under the fluorescent lights as she grinned, clearly enjoying the exasperated groan I let out as she darted for the register. "This will be fun."

Max returned a few minutes later, a new bag finding its way onto my arm as we finally exited the shop and made our way towards the car. I practically cried as Max tossed her bags into the trunk, relieving some of the weight I carried. "So," a sly smirk found its way to Max's mouth as she started the car, adjusting her denim skirt before turning towards me. "I've been seeing Ryan, recently."

My eyes widened as I choked on the bottle of water I was sipping from, sending the girl into a fit of giggles as she watched me cough into my hand.

"Ryan?" I managed to gasp, wiping the water that had managed to dribble onto my chin.