Amy’s POV

"Wow, Viv, you look amazing, that dress really is something. It really emphasises just how hot you are," In response to the compliment. Amy watched as Vivian blushed, and then twirled in place, showing off a bit. The dress that she was wearing, swished lightly as she did so, and Vivian stopped moving, giggling as she ran her hands over the fabric.

"I am glad that you like it. I went shopping a few days ago and picked out some things for myself,"

Vivian said it all so easily. Like it was normal for her to just go out shopping and buy herself things. The other woman, completely unaware, that she had stunned Amy to the point that a feather could knock her over continued to speak.

"I am thinking of adding a few more things to my wardrobe, maybe next time we can go shopping together,"

If it would not have freaked her friend out, Amy was sure that she would have been a sobbing mess on the floor.

Vivian had gone shopping, and she wanted to go shopping again with Amy, not just so she could be moral support. But so that she could buy things for herself as well. It had been so many years since that had happened that Amy wanted to just clap hands for her friend. Draw her into a tight hug, and if possible, lift her and start spinning her around. But instead all that she did was smile at her friend and respond in the calmest tone that she could.

"You are right, it would be nice for the two of us to shop for clothes together,"

***

Amy was doing her best to keep up with the conversation as Vivian continued to talk about this and that, she really was. But she found herself slipping in and out. Going from listening attentively to getting lost in thought as she stared at her friend.

"Amy, are you listening to me?" She nodded.

"Of course I am. You were talking about one of your kids stuffing a crayon up their nose and running away when you tried to help them," Satisfied that Amy was following along, Vivian resumed talking, unaware that the moment she did, Amy tuned her out.

Doing so not because she was not interested in what Vivian had to say, but because she was marveling at what she was seeing.

Looking at her friend, Amy realized that she had been seeing the changes in her for weeks now. It was just that they had been happening at such a glacial pace that Amy had not really been too sure what she was seeing.

But now looking at Vivian who was talking excitedly, wearing a brand new dress, one bought from a store instead of online.

Amy was wondering how she could not have pieced everything together sooner.

Vivian was glowing and it was not the type of glow that had to do with a new skin care routine, or trying some new diet. This was a glow caused by happiness. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Vivian had always been a warm person, but now she was more relaxed. She smiled more, and when she laughed there were no shadows at the corners of her eyes, and she did not suddenly lapse into silence and stare off into the distance anymore.

Even her posture had changed. Gone was the slightly hunched over stance that she used to have. Now Vivian, whether sitting, or standing, had her back straight, and her shoulders did not hunch. She no longer looked like somebody constantly trying to hide themselves.

She walked with her head held high, comfortable in her own skin. Taking note of all of those changes, Amy knew that there could only be one cause. Right at that moment Vivian’s phone went off and she cut herself off from whatever she was saying. Pulling it out, she stared at the screen and her entire face lit up. Before she even said a word, Amy knew who the message was from, and her friend proved her right a few seconds later.

"Oh, Ryan is back. He says he wants to meet later tonight," After doing a little dance where she sat, Vivian typed out a quick message and then settled back down. She was not even trying to hide the big smile that was now making her cheeks look like those of a chipmunk.

Being the good friend that she was, Vivian tried to stay even after that. Attempting to keep the conversation going even though it was clear that her mind was elsewhere. In the end Amy took pity upon her. Telling Vivian that she had some place to be and watching as her friend all but ran towards the door, heading to her own place in order to get ready for her evening with Ryan Terrell.

***

Long after Vivian had gone, Amy could not stop thinking about the situation her friend was in. When Amy had been in her toxic cycle with that good for nothing Bryce, her friend had rarely ever smiled, and she had always walked around like she had done something so awful in the world that she deserved to live in shame.

But ever since the beginning of her casual arrangement with Ryan Terrell, things had changed and for the better. Not only was Vivian happier, she was also more confident. Though Vivian insisted that what was going on between her and Ryan Terrell was strictly for fun, with no emotions involved. Amy, who was an observer without any stake in the situation, could tell that it was more than that.

That it could be something better if Vivian and Ryan gave it a chance.

Ryan Terrell was someone who built up Amy’s friend instead of trying to tear Vivian down.

Wherever their relationship led, Amy would always be grateful for the man, and she was secretly hoping that when all was said and done, the two of them would decide to be an actual couple.