Harper buys something flashy.

The door to the boutique swings open, the chime of the bell signaling their arrival. Harper hesitates at the entrance, feeling slightly out of place in her casual clothes amid the opulence. Elena strides in confidently, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Their friends Ava and Lily follow closely behind. A sleek sales associate with a practiced smile approaches them. "Can I assist you with anything today?" she says, eyes gleaming.

Elena barely glances at the woman. "We’re looking for something special," she says. "A party tonight, rooftop, very exclusive."

The associate nods. "Let me show you some of our latest arrivals. I think you'll find just what you're looking for."

As they move deeper into the store, Elena turns to Harper. "Honey, you need something new. Something that’ll make you feel confident for once."

Harper tries to muster enthusiasm. "I’ll see what I can find."

"I have a better idea. Let me find it for you." She begins rifling through a rack of dresses, dismissing most with a glance.

Ava drifts away from the group. She picks a dress off the rack, a striking red number and holds it up against herself in the mirror. It seems well suited to her curves, the tan of her skin, and her long, dark curls.

"That looks nice," Lily says without much warmth. She’s distracted, her eyes constantly flicking to her phone. She is a tall Asian woman, fine-featured, with her hair cut to her shoulders. Today, like most days, she is wearing white, a blouse to match her shoes.

"Thanks," Ava replies. She glances at Lily’s reflection in the mirror, eager to read her friend’s mood. "You okay?"

Lily nods quickly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Yeah, just... thinking about some stuff. Work’s been crazy." Ava doesn’t press further.

Meanwhile, Elena has found what she was looking for. With a triumphant smile, she pulls a dress off the rack and holds it up to Harper. It’s black, a dress, ostensibly; to Harper it looks barely more than a few artfully placed strips of fabric, designed to hug the body and reveal more than a little skin.

"Try this on," Elena says, pushing Harper toward the fitting rooms.

Harper takes the dress, feeling the weight of Elena’s expectations. The fitting room feels even more confining as she slips out of her clothes and into the dress. As she examines herself in the mirror, she can't decide how she feels. The dress fits perfectly, accentuating her slim frame, but it also feels like a costume. The cutouts at her hips and chest don’t expose more than a bikini might, but in this dress they feel pornographic. She can already hear Elena’s voice in her head, chastising her for doubting. It isn’t that it looks bad. The black pairs well with her auburn locks, and the cutout over her chest makes her look like she actually has cleavage to speak of.

"Harper, let’s see it!" Elena’s voice calls from outside. Reluctantly, Harper steps out of the fitting room, her arms crossed over her chest as if trying to shield herself from their gazes. Elena’s eyes light up as soon as she sees her. Elena steps forward, adjusting the straps on Harper’s shoulders. Her hands fall to rest on her friend’s hips. "See? I knew it would be perfect. You’ll turn heads tonight." When she meets Harper’s eyes, the moment is tense, paralyzing.

Harper smiles despite herself. "It’s... definitely something."