Go get some air

I couldn't handle staying here any longer, by heart was beating so fast it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I left the changing room in a daze, my hands clenched tight as my body was gripped by anxiety. It'd been years since I'd last felt anything like this, not since I'd left school and all the teasing and tormenting behind.

I doubled over the moment I was outside that store, dangerously close to throwing up all over myself. I stayed like that, slowing my breaths and claiming down for who knows how long. I must have looked crazy to everyone passing by, but I was begining to feel normal again.

My heart rate was back to normal, my head clear again. Whatever anxiety attack I'd had was passing, and the whole thing was starting to feel a bit funny.

I really thought that something might be going on between Sarah and Callum for a second, but that was so ridiculous. Not only would she never cheat on me, especially not with a guy like Callum, it was crazy to think anything was going on in a public space! With the rush of emotions and adrenaline fading away, I couldn't help but laugh at how paranoid I'd been.

"The hell are you doing dude?" Callum spat out at me.

It shocked me back to reality, reminding me I was down on the ground laughing like a maniac. Hastily, I pulled myself back up. Trying my best to regain some composure.

"Just, uhhhhh, getting some air."

"Whatever, I don't give a fuck." Callum looked st me with the distinction I'd endured for years. "I'm gonna go get my shit, your girls waiting for you to pay back inside."

Yet more expenses I'd have to make back later. If things kept going like this I'd probably need to work a weekend or two.

"Shes got an amazing body you know?" Callum said, turning back to look down at me as he walked off. "You'll definitely be happy if you ever get to experience it..."

The guy knew just wat to say to get my blood boiling again, but I didn't react to his bait. _'If you get to experience it' _not only was he treating her like an object he was acting as if she belonged to him! He'd always been a cocky prick and it was obvious now that nothing had changed in the past years.

I went back inside and saw Sarah waiting at the counter, the girl who shooed me out nowhere in sight. Good, if I could just pay and get out quick this wouldn't be a fuss. Although a part of me did want her to see me with Sarah, as proof I wasn't making her up.

Getting closer I got a good look at Sarah, and her surprisingly conservative outfit. Just a simple white top, with a knee length black skirt. She must have realised those other outfits wouldn't be fitting for a restaurant, and decided on something simple but nice. As much as I liked seeing her in those other outfits, this one made my heart and wallet both sigh in relief.

"You look great Sarah!" I said, trying to not look frantic and I pulled my wallet out to pay.

"Wait until you see what's underneath." She smiled, clinging onto my arm as I quickly paid for her clothes.

Hearing her reaffirm that we'd get our night together washed away any lingering anxiety I'd had. Callum didn't know what he was talking about. Whatever he thought, Sarah was my girlfriend.

"I really can't wait to see." I told her as I took the receipt, Sarah handing me a bag that had been sitting on the counter.

I realised that I wasn't just paying for her current outfit, but all of them.

"Wow, umm. This sure is a lot of clothes..." I stammered out as i looked st the receipt, how could any clothes cost this much!

"Cal kept saying how good I looked, so I figured I might as well update my wardrobe!" Sarsh said, skipping out of the store.

I'd been hesitant about this whole, 'new experiences' thing, but right now she was brighter and more bubbly than I'd ever seen her. Sure it was more expensive than we could really afford, but Sarah's happiness was worth any price.

I caught up with Sarah outside, finding her texting someone on her phone. She smiled and giggled to herself, probably laughing at a dumb joke her father made.

"So where two now?" We finally had some time alone together. Callum wasn't here and we didn't even have a set time to meet back up.

Sarah was too deep into her texting to hear me, so I just waited for her to finish. It took a little while longer before she realised I was standing there.

"Oh, Liam." She said, almost sounding startled. "Could you take a picture of me?"

She handed me her phone and I was delighted to capture her beauty. Sarah was usually too self conscious to let me take photos of her, so this simple act felt far more intimate than it seemed. I did my best to frame her well, and to my suprise Sarah even lent forward. Putting the cleavage from her v neck shirt put a lot of emphasis on her chest.

I took the photo and reflexively hit send, realising too late who the picture was being sent too. Sarah snatched the phone back so quickly I couldn't get a good look at it, but the contact was definitely Callum. I saw a flash of previous conversation, and some purple emoji next to his name, but that was it.

"That was for Callum?" I asked, a little sheepishly.

"He wanted to see what I was wearing before he got anything." Sarah told me.

"C-can I take one on my phone then!"

"Mmmm, maybe another time?" She said. "I don't feel white like my self in these clothes yet."

I felt a little pathetic being rejected from something as simple as a picture of my girlfriend. I knew she probably just didn't care if Callum saw her, but that I was more special to her. Still, from the outside I knew that it wasn't a good look.

"Come on." Sarah said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I've got to go get ready for tonight."

"Wasn't that what we just did?" I asked, what else could there be to do?

Sarah smiled and took my hand. "There's lots a girl needs to look good." She told me, before walking on ahead again.

"And Cal wants me looking good tonight."