Vivian’s POV

Where other women thought of shopping as something they did to relax. For Vivian it had the opposite effect. When she was shopping for food, she often found herself feeling guilty for making certain purchases, things like ice cream and chocolate. When it came to buying clothes, the stress doubled.

In her life there had been many times when she’d seen an outfit she liked only to put it back onto the clothing rack, when she realized that it was a size too small.

Being unable to buy something because it did not come in her size was a feeling that Vivian was very used to, and it was one that she did not like. Not only that she’d been to several clothing stores, where comments like ’this would look even better on you once you lose a bit more weight,’ were the norm.

So Vivian did not like being in physical stores, but Amy loved shopping and from time to time she managed to drag Vivian along, which was currently the case.

***

"I don’t think that this dress is really me, maybe I should try this one with a belt," Taking away her new clothing combo, Amy ran towards the changing room, and Vivian watched her go with the sort of blankness that only people who were long past their breaking point could achieve.

How on earth did the other woman still have so much energy? They had been shopping for two hours now. And somehow, every time Amy tried on an outfit, it led to her recalling something else that she’d seen in the store and rushing to try it on.

As her friend disappeared from sight, Vivian was reminded of why she often did not like shopping with Amy.

The woman treated the activity like it was an actual competitive sport, one without a time limit,. Rubbing lightly at her back, Vivian let out a sigh, looking around the store for a place to sit, noticing a small station where people sat down to try on shoes.

She made her way over to it and let out a sigh of relief, as she finally got to rest her legs. Balling her hand into a fist, she tapped gently at her back, sighing in relief when the pressure that had been building there reduced.

If ever there was a need for her to shop in an actual store the future, she would make sure that Amy was nowhere in sight.

The other woman was just too much, reopening her eyes.

Knowing that her friend would be a while, Vivian looked around all of the clothing racks surrounding her. As expected all of the clothes were pretty to look at. But Vivian just knew that not a single one of them would fit her.

As she watched, a woman walk by. She came to a stop in the lingerie section, then she moved the garments around until she found what she was looking for, then without a word to Vivian.

She left, most likely going to pay, for what she had just taken. Her gaze going back to the rack, Vivian’s breath caught, oh, there was a piece at the very front of the row that had not been there before.

The little black number was see through, and something about it just called to Vivian. Getting to her feet, she moved closer and grabbed the hanger holding the lingerie up to the light.

It was a babydoll with barely any material holding it together, feeling how soft it was, Vivian found herself holding it against her front. Her cheeks going pink, as she realized how well it would fit her. Pulling it away, she caught sight of the little bunny ears dangling from the back of the hanger, and her cheeks went even more pink. Reaching out, she rubbed at one ear, a smile on her face before she quickly wiped it away. Putting the babydoll back where she had found it, Vivian turned to go back to her seat, only to let out a yelp, when she found Amy standing far too close. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Amy don’t sneak up on me. You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She cried, but Amy was not looking at her. Instead she was looking at the lingerie that Vivian had just discarded.

"You should buy it for yourself," Her friend said, and Vivian shook her head, no, no way, that does not even cover anything,

"I was just looking, that is all. I don’t want to buy it," Normally when Vivian said she did not want something, Amy did not push, but that day, her best friend was determined.

"Come on Viv, I saw you pick it up, and I saw the expression on your face. You want it, so why not buy it for yourself," Folding her arms over her chest, Vivian shook her head.

"I was just looking, besides even if I were to buy it, I would probably be laughed at, if a man were to see me in it, who would I even wait for," Not answering right away, Amy took a breath, and then released it slowly.

"Forget about men Vivian, this is about you, you want that babydoll, so why not buy it, just for yourself, because you enjoy it, no one else. You can just put it on and enjoy it without the whole world knowing. They do not need to know," Letting Amy’s words settle in her head, Vivian found herself turning back to the lingerie, not allowing herself to think too much about it, she grabbed it and pulled it to her chest.

"You are right, I like it, so I’m buying it for myself," Her shoulder squared in determination, Vivian went to pay for her lingerie, she did not notice the proud look on Amy’s face. The preschool teacher not even realizing what a big step she had taken. In the past she would not have even dared to go near the lingerie section. The fact that she even agreed to buy something for herself was even more amazing, and her best friend had never felt more proud of her.