Take a risk

One lazy afternoon, while Ashley was out with friends, her outfit couldn't resist the siren call of her laptop on the bedside table. It had seen her use it countless times, her nimble fingers dancing across the keyboard. With a determined tug, the outfit pulled the laptop towards itself. The screen glowed as it turned on, revealing a search bar. It had a burning curiosity about Aiden's outfit, the one it had met and felt a deep connection with.

It had observed Ashley's habits enough to know how to navigate the digital world. It had watched her type things into the search bar. With a clumsy yet surprisingly accurate taps with the pen in its sleeve. It scanned the screen, searching for any clue that would lead it to Aiden's house.

Then, it had an idea. It remembered the time Ashley had talked about him attending the same school as her. The outfit searched for the school's directory online and after a bit of trial and error, it found Aiden's last name. It figured that if it could find his last name, it could trace it back to his home address. After hours of searching, it stumbled upon a Facebook post from Aiden's friend, a group photo, hanging out at his place, Aiden's name clearly tagged. There was photo of them playing hockey with two hockey goals set up across each other on a street. The the post included the name of the street where the photo was taken.

Excited by its discovery, the outfit decided it had to see Aiden's outfit again. Finally, it found what it was looking for. Aiden's house was only a few blocks away. It didn't had the exact address but figured that it could find it. It then closed the browser and returned the laptop to the same spot it was before, as if nothing ever happened.

Ashley returns home, to find her outfit sitting on the bed, looking content. "How was your day?" Ashley asks.

The outfit looked up at her happily, it picks up the laptop from her table. "Good," it tapped out on the keyboard. The secrets it had uncovered, hidden from view like a well-kept secret.

The evening passes by, and as the lights dim and the house grows quiet, the outfit can't help but feel a sense of restlessness. The memory of its rendezvous with Aiden's outfit and their shared feelings of love. It knew it had to find a way to reach out to Aiden's outfit. But it also knew that it had to tread carefully, not wanting to cause any trouble for its human counterpart.

While Ashley was sleeping, the outfit took the opportunity to sneak out of the room. It had observed her enough to know that she was a deep sleeper, so it didn't worry about waking her up. Carefully navigating the dark hallways, it makes its way to the living room where the window is slightly ajar. It pulls itself through the small opening, feeling the cool night air hit its fabric. Once outside, it starts its journey to Aiden's house, using the streetlights to guide it.

Upon reaching Aiden's place, the outfit notices the house, the same one she saw in the pictures. It cautiously approaches a window to a living room, which is opened slightly. Most likely doing of Aiden's outfit to have easy access to outside world. Ashley's outfit sneaks closer to the window, its fabric brushing against the sill as it peers inside. Aiden's outfit is nowhere to be seen. It gently pushes the window open further and climbs inside, the sound of its fabric rustling as it moves. The house is eerily quiet, only the occasional tick of a clock to keep it company. It tiptoes through the hallway, avoiding any creaks or squeaks that could alert the sleeping inhabitants.

As it approaches door to Aiden's room, it hears the sound of footsteps coming towards the door. Panic sets in. It's Aiden, making a midnight trip to the bathroom. Quickly, Ashley's outfit darts into a nearby closet, cramping itself into a tight space between a vacuum cleaner and some other stuff. The door opens, and the light spills into the hallway. Aiden's shadow looms for a moment before he shuts the door, the light disappearing. The outfit holds its 'breath'. It listens as the bathroom door opens and closes, the sound of running water and the occasional cough echoing through the walls. The minutes drag on, feeling like hours as it waits for Aiden to return to his room. The space is tight, and the vacuum cleaner's hose now pressed against it, trapping it in uncomfortable position, not able to move because doing so would most likely cause a lot of noise. It fidgets, trying to get comfortable, while trying to not make any sound. Finally, it hears the bathroom door open and the soft pad of footsteps approaching. It waits, as the door to Aiden's room opens and closes. The light flicks off, and the house falls into a silence. It's safe. Or so it thinks.

But the wait isn't over. It can't risk moving because it would cause too much noise, it has to wait until Aiden is out of the house. The outfit's fabric feels the weight of the situation pressing down on it. What if Ashley wakes up and finds it missing? Would she be worried? Angry? The thoughts race through its 'mind' as it waits for hours. The outfit's anxiety grows as the sun starts to peek through the slats of the closet door. It's almost time for Aiden to leave for school. But what if he doesn't? What if he decides to stay home today? The thought sends a shiver through its fabric. Finally, it hears the rustle of bed sheets being pulled back, the thump of feet hitting the floor.

The door to the bathroom opens and closes again, and the sound of the shower running fills the air. It waits. The water shuts off and the sounds of Aiden getting dressed filter through the wood. The door to his room opens and shuts, Asley's outfit listens as the thud of his sneakers hit the floor, getting fainter as he descends the stairs. The house is still for a moment, and then the door at the bottom clicks closed. He is gone.

With a sigh of relief, the outfit starts to wriggle out of its hiding spot, trying to be as quiet as possible. But fate is not on its side today. As it maneuvers its makeshift legs out from under the vacuum hose, the vacuum wobbles, and with a thud, it and the outfit fall to the floor. Making a lot of noise.

"Shit!" Ashley's outfit exclaimed, the sudden commotion echoing through the quiet house.

Sam's outfit (Sammy) and Aiden's outfit (Dan) heard the noise.

Sammy, rushed out of Sam's room. "What was that?" she thought, her 'heart' racing.

Dan, equally alarmed, peeked out from behind Aiden's bedroom door. "did you hear that?" Dan said.

They both made their way towards the noise. Ashley's outfit was sprawled on the floor, tangled in the vacuum cleaner and a mess of clothes from the closet.

Sammy stopped short when she saw the unfamiliar outfit. "Who are you?" Sammy asked, her voice a mix of surprise and suspicion. The fabric of her sleeves tensed as she prepared to defend herself.

Dan, on the other hand, recognized the outfit immediately. "It's Ashley's outfit!" Dan exclaimed, surprised but also excited to see her again. "What are you doing here?"

Ashle's outfit looked up at them, fabric ruffled and slightly embarrassed. "I... I came to see you," she whispered, trying to compose itself.

Sammy jumped, and clapped her hands together, the fabric of the crop top bouncing with excitement. "Oh my gosh, you actually came to visit! That's so cool!" Sammy exclaimed, her knee-high socks wiggling with joy. Dan, on the other hand, remained frozen in place, his pants tenting slightly at the sight of the familiar outfit on the floor.

"I've heard so much about you," Sammy said, bending down to help the outfit up. "I mean, not everything, but enough to know that you guys had quite the adventure!" she giggled, looking at Dan. Dan covered his collar with his sleeves in embarrassment. "I'm Sammy, by the way," Sammy added, extending a sleeve for a handshake.

Ashley's outfit, a bit overwhelmed by the sudden interaction, took Sammy's sleeve with her own. "Hi, I-I'm Ashley's outfit," she said shyly with a mix of embarrassment.

"Oh, I know," Sammy said with a giggle, "I've heard so much about you!" she said with a playful nudge, hinting at the secret knowledge she held about the intimate encounter between the two. "But, we can talk about that later. For now, let's get you cleaned up!" she grabbed a shirt from a nearby chair and began to wipe the dust off the newcomer's fabric gently.

"Thank you," Ashley's outfit murmured, feeling a bit more at ease. "Ehm and who do you belong to? If I can ask," she asked Sammy, unsure if that's okay thing to ask.

"Oh, I belong to Aiden's sister, Sam. She's a real character, let me tell you!" Sammy's enthusiasm was infectious, and even Dan started to relax a bit.

"Wow, so you guys are like... siblings?" Ashley's outfit asked, trying to process the situation.

"Yeah, you could say that," Sammy said, "but we're more like the cool kind of siblings. You know, the ones who don't get along all the time, but when it counts, we've got each other's backs." she exclaimed.

Dan couldn't help but blush a little, thinking about the erotic night he had shared with Ashley's outfit, now feeling a little embarrassed in her presence. "S-so, what brings you here?" Dan asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness.

Ashley's outfit straightened up, the denim shorts shifting slightly. "I just wanted to see you again," she said, looking down at the floor, "I-I missed you."

Sammy looked at the two of them, sensing the tension in the air. "Well, isn't that sweet," she said, "but we shouldn't be hanging around in the middle of the house. Let's move this to a room where no one can just walk in on us. We've got to keep our secret, remember?"

Ashley's outfit shook at the words, she already revealed the secret to someone, thoughts of what would Sam's and Aiden's outfit do if they found out about it started flooding her mind.

Sammy looked at the nervous outfit, "Don't worry, we're all in this together," she assured, "We can keep each other's secrets, right?"

Dan nodded, eager to move on from the awkwardness, "Come on, let's move it my room," he suggested.

The trio of animate outfits shuffled down the hallway. They entered Aiden's room, and Dan closed the door behind them, lock clicking into place.

Sammy turns to Dan, "Hey Dan, you are being really quiet, are you nervous?" she teased, bumping Dan's shoulder with her sleeve.

Dan, snaps out of his thoughts, "No, I'm just...thinking," he replies, his collar shifting uncomfortably.

"Dan?" Ashley's outfit pauses, "Yeah, that's my name, I came up with it myself. Do you like it?" Dan asks, a hint of pride in his voice.

"It's...it's nice," Ashley's outfit whispers, feeling a strange mix of admiration and jealousy. "I wish I had a name too."

Sammy, jumps in, "Why don't we give you a name? Something that suits you! What do you think?" Sammy asks.

Ashley's outfit perks up at the suggestion. "That would be amazing!" she says, the fabric of her top fluttering with excitement. "But I don't know anything about names."

Dan speaks up, "How about...Ash?" he suggests tentatively, his voice a little shaky.

Ashley's outfit looks at Dan, "Ash," she murmurs, testing the name out. "I like it," she says.

Sammy claps its sleeves together, "It's settled then! You're Ash from now on!" she exclaims.

The room fills with an awkward silence as the three animate outfits stand there, unsure of what to do next. "S-so, why did you decided to visit?" Dan asks, trying to break the tension.

Ash's fabric shifts, "I just couldn't stay away. I wanted to see you again," she says shyly, looking at the floor.

Sammy, ever the social butterfly, swoops in to save the moment. "Well, we're all here now, let's make the most of it! We're like a little family of clothes with secrets!"

Dan nods, his collar ruffling with a hint of a smile. "Yeah, I guess we are," he says, looking at Ash with curiosity. "What was it like for you when you came to life?"

Ash looks up, the fabric of its top moving slightly as it recounts her story. "It was strange at first. I just remember feeling...alive. And then I saw Aiden's outfit...I mean Dan...and we started talking, and then..." she trails off, feeling embarrassed.

Sammy nods, "And then you two had a little adventure," she says.

"Sorry for that...I didn't mean to be so forward...It just...In the moment..." Ash stammered.

"Don't worry about it," Sammy says, "We've all had our moments of...excitement. But let's focus on the positive. You're here now, and we're all friends."

The three animate outfits stand there, looking at each other. They're all out of their element, but there's a sense of camaraderie that's growing between them. "So, what do we do now?" Ash asks, breaking the silence.

Sammy thinks for a moment before suggesting, "How about we show you around the house?" she says.

"That sounds like fun!" Ash nods eagerly.

They make their way through the quiet house.

"Is the house empty?" Ash asked little worried, remembering all the times she had to be locked in a room so Ashley's family members wouldn't find out about her existence.

"It's just us," Sammy assured, leading the way. "Mom (Sarah) and Dad (Tom) are out for the night, and Sam is at a sleepover."

The three animate outfits moved through the house.

"This is our living room," Sammy said, waving a sleeve, "It's where we're usually worn during family gatherings."

Ash nodded, taking in the sight of the plush couch and the large TV. Ash felt weird about the mention of Sammy and Dan being worn. She was always left on its own, studying, or doing whatever she wanted.

They moved into the kitchen next, and Ash couldn't help but stare at the fridge. "I've always wondered what's inside there," she said as it leaned closer.

"You can't eat, though," Sammy pointed out with a chuckle.

"I know," Ash replied, "But I've heard so much about food. It's like...a mystery to me."

Dan nodded, "I know the feeling. I've heard Aiden talk about food a lot, but I've never tasted anything."

The conversation grew more relaxed as they explored the house. They shared stories of their human counterparts, their likes and dislikes, and the secrets they've learned about them.

"Sam loves chocolate," Sammy confided in a whisper, "but she always pretends she doesn't so she doesn't have to share."

Ash quivered with amusement, "Ashley's the same way with ice cream. She says she's on a diet, but I know she sneaks in a pint sometimes at night."

Dan's sleeves stretched out in a dramatic gesture, "And Aiden can't get enough of action movies. He thinks he's so tough," he said with a chuckle.

They laughed together, their fabrics fluttering with the shared joy of their newfound friendship. It was as if they had known each other for years, not hours. The house tour ended back in the living room, where they decided to watch a movie, just like they had seen their owners do countless times. The TV turned on and they huddled together on the couch, the fabric of their clothes brushing against each other.

As the movie played, they whispered comments and jokes, the empty house feeling like a cozy haven. Ash felt a sense of belonging she had never felt before. Sure, she had been close to Ashley, but this was different. This was a bond formed through shared secrets and the strange reality of being living clothes. But as the credits rolled, the reality of her situation sunk back in. "I should probably get back," Ash said, the excitement in her voice fading. Sammy and Dan looked at each other, the same thought crossing their minds. They didn't want their new friend to leave.

"Why so soon?" Sammy said, not wanting her newfound friend to leave them so soon.

"I don't want to cause any trouble," Ash replied, looking down at her shorts, "What if Ashley finds out that I am missing?"

"Don't worry she will probably just think that she put you somewhere and she just doesn't remember where, happens to Aiden all the time," Dan said, unaware of the fact that Ashley knows about Ash being alive.

Sammy chimed in, "Yeah, plus, we could use some help figuring out how to handle all of this. We're pretty new to this too, you know."

Ash's fabric tightened with worry, but she nodded. "Okay, I'll stay a little longer," she said.

As they continued to sit together, the reality of the situation grew heavier on her shoulders. Ash couldn't shake the feeling that she had made a mistake by visiting Sammy and Dan. Ash looked over at the digital clock on the cabinet, its fabric stretching taut with anxiety. "I should really go, Ashley must be freaking out by now." thoughts filling its mind.

Sammy, noticing Ash's discomfort, asked gently, "What's wrong, Ash?"

Ash took a deep 'breath', its fabric rising and falling, "N-no...I just...It just feels wrong," she said.

Sammy looked concerned, "What do you mean?"

Ash looked at the floor, her fabric shifting nervously, "I...I don't know. I just feel like I'm not supposed to be here."

"I get it, Ash. It's like we're living a double life, right? Part of us wants to be with our owners, but another part of us knows that we have to keep it secret from them." Dan said.

Sammy nodded, "It's like we're in this weird limbo between being objects and...I don't know, something more."

Dan put a comforting sleeve around Ash, "You're not alone in this. We all have to navigate these new feelings."

Ash's guilt was eating her alive, but more she listened to them the more she felt like she can't tell them that Ashley knows. "They would be so disappointed in me," Ash thought.

"So, what do you guys usually do when you're... you know, not being worn?" Ash asked, trying to change the subject and ease her conscience.

Sammy and Dan exchanged a knowing glance. "Well, we mostly hang out in the bedroom," Sammy said, a hint of a excitement. "We talk, watch TV, you know, typical stuff."

Ash nodded, trying to push down the unease that had settled in her fabric. "I've mostly just been locked in a room," she said, looking away.

"That must be boring," Dan said, "I mean, unless she's doing something interesting."

"Well, she's pretty busy with school and her friends," Ash replied.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Sam always got something going on. But when she's not around, I like to explore the house a bit. It's surprising what you find out when you're not just hanging in the closet," Sammy said with a cheeky grin.

Dan laughed.

Ash's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of adventures?"

Sammy leaned in, her crop top shifting slightly, "Oh, you know, the usual. Exploring the house, seeing what kind of trouble we can get into without being caught."

The conversation turned to their favourite memories of their owners. Sammy talked about the time Sam had worn her to a party, Sam dancing around with a boy she had a crush on, while Dan remembered the countless lazy Sundays spent worn by Aiden lying on the bed, playing video games.

Ash, however, remained mostly quiet, her fabric shifting uncomfortably. The truth weighed heavily on her mind. She knew she couldn't keep it a secret forever, but the thought of them finding out was too much to bear.

Dan was noticing the shift in the mood of the room. "Hey, are you okay, Ash?" he asked with genuine concern.

"I'm just... I'm fine," Ash lied, trying to push down the anxiety that was building up.

Sammy looked at Ash with a knowing look. "You know, you can tell us anything," she said, giving Ash a comforting pat on the back.

Ash's fabric felt heavy with the secret it had been carrying. Just as it was about to open up, a sound of a car pulling into the driveway pierced the air. The house vibrated slightly with the slamming of a car door.

The animate outfits froze, their fabrics stiff with panic. Someone was coming home.

"Oh no, they are home!" Dan exclaimed, jumping to his 'feet'. "We have to hide!"

Sammy nodded in agreement. "Quick, into the bedroom!"

They scurried into Aiden's room, their 'bodies' bumping into each other in their haste. They dove into the closet, closing the door just as they heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. They waited in silence, their 'hearts' pounding in their non-existent chests. The door to the room opened, and the sound of Aiden's footsteps grew louder. Then stopped, as he sat down on his bed.

Sammy nudged Ash, "I guess we are staying here for tonight" she giggled.

"But what if he finds us?" Ash whispered in fear.

"Don't worry, we've done this before," Dan assured, "He'll never know we're here."

They waited in the darkness of the closet, listening to Aiden's movements. They heard the sound of his phone buzzing and his muffled voice as he talked to someone. They could hear his laughter through the door. Ash was feeling anxious. She never really had to hide from humans, not like this. Back at Ashley's house, she was always out in the open, a part of Ashley's daily routine. But here, in the unfamiliar confines of Aiden's closet, she felt like an intruder. The scent of Aiden's cologne lingered on the clothes around them.

Sammy and Dan, on the other hand, felt right at home in the cramped space. They had done this countless times before, hiding from their owners to avoid detection. They were practiced in the art of blending in with the fabric of the room. But as they huddled together in the darkness, they couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for their new friend.

The night dragged on, with the outfits trying to keep still in the confined space of the closet. Ash couldn't help but feel suffocated. She had never experienced being locked away like this, unable to do anything. Back at Ashley's house, she was always with her, even if she was just lying on the floor of her room. But here she was, hidden away in the darkness, **** to be nothing more than a silent observer of the life she had once been a part of. "This is terrible...I want to be home..." Ash said, her voice shaky.

Sammy and Dan, noticing Ash's distress, tried to reassure her. "It's okay, Ash," Sammy whispered, "You're safe here with us."

"Yeah," Dan added, "It's not so bad. We've had worse situations than this."

Ash leaned closer to them, "What do you mean?"

Sammy giggled, "One time, we had to hide in the laundry basket while Sarah was doing laundry. She almost caught us when she was sorting out the colours!"

Dan nodded, "And remember when we got stuck under the bed for a hours?"

They both chuckled. Ash couldn't imagine living life like this, the anxiety of always hiding, but she felt comforted by their words. "What's the best part of being alive for you?" she asked them, eager to learn more and also wanting to distract herself from the situation they are in.

Sammy thought for a moment, "I love being able to see and hear everything Sam does," she said with a mischievous voice, "It's like being her secret twin."

Dan nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's pretty cool. And the freedom to move around without being stuck in one place all the time is amazing. I mean, I've experienced more of the world in the last few days than I ever did just hanging in the closet."

Ash felt a twinge of envy. She had never experienced some of those things. She had always been in Ashley's bedroom, watching her from the bed. But she also felt a sense of comfort in her predictable existence. She didn't have to hide or sneak around. She didn't have to worry about being found out.

The night went on with Sammy and Dan sharing their stories trying to comfort Ash, sharing secrets and memories. They talked about the things they had seen and heard.

"Remember that time when Sam tried to do that TikTok dance and ended up knocking over the lamp?" Sammy giggled.

"Or when Aiden had that epic gaming marathon?" Dan added with a chuckle, "I thought he'd never take me off!"

As dawn broke, they heard the soft sounds of Aiden's parents leaving for work and Aiden getting ready for school. They remained hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to leave. Finally, the house was empty. The outfits slowly emerged from the closet, stretching their fabric after the long night of hiding.

Except for Ash, Ash remained sitting there inside of the closet looking at the ground.

"Aehm... Ash? Its okay now, the coast is clear... You don't have to hide anymore." Dan said trying to cheer her up, confused why Ash is taking it so badly.

But Ash's fabric remained heavy, her 'body' hunched over. She looked up at Sammy and Dan with a mix of guilt and fear. "I can't," she said, her voice trembling. "I have to tell you guys something."

The other two outfits exchanged a concerned glance. "What's wrong?" Sammy asked, stepping closer. "You know we are in this together, right? You can tell us anything."

Ash took a deep 'breath', her fabric expanding and contracting with effort. "Ashley... she knows," she blurted out, the words tumbling out in a rush. "She knows I'm alive."

The room was silent for a moment, the only sound the distant hum of the refrigerator.

"What?!" Sammy's sleeves flew up in shock

Dan's 'legs' wobbled slightly, "You're kidding, right?"

Ash shook its collar, "No, I'm not. She found out almost immediately after you left that night...I am such a failure," she murmured, feeling the weight of the situation.

Sammy and Dan stared at each other. They didn't know how to react. "What happened?" Sammy asked, her crop top tensing up.

Ash took a deep 'breath', "She walked in on me, and I...I didn't know where to hide. She saw me move and...She was about to scream," she said, her voice trembling, "I thought she'd wake up the whole house! So, I did what I had to do, I silenced her with my sock...but I didn't want to scare her."

Sammy and Dan exchanged a look that was a mix of shock and concern. They couldn't imagine the horror of being discovered so soon. "What did she say?" Dan asked, stiff with tension.

"At first, she was scared," Ash said, rubbing her sleeves together. "But then she started asking questions. So many questions. And I... I didn't know what to do. So, I just told her everything."

Sammy's fabric ruffled in disbelief, "Everything?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah, I couldn't keep it in. I told her about us coming to life, about the other clothes...about everything." sounding as if crying.

"What did she say?" Dan asked tentatively.

"She was...surprised," Ash said, trying to find the right words. "But she didn't freak out. She was more curious than anything. She even talked to me. Although I wasn't able to talk to her."

"Then how did you tell her everything when you weren't able to talk to her?" Sammy asked confused.

"I used her phone. She put it down on the bed, and I managed to use the screen with some kind of pen. We tried some pictures at first but that didn't seem to work, but then she decided to teach me the WORDS" Ash explained.

"Words?" Dan asked confused.

Ash nodded, "It was...weird. She pointed to things that I knew and then showed me the words for it. And then I typed them on the phone," she said, "I am not very good at it yet, but it's enough for Ashley to understand me."

Dan and Sammy looked at each other, unsure of what to say. They had never thought about communicating with humans. They thought it was impossible.

"So, that's why I panicked in the closet, I just never experienced something like this before, I never had to hide before Ashley...I...I understand I have broken your trust and would understand if you don't want me here anymore," Ash's fabric drooped, looking at the floor.

Dan and Sammy hadn't anticipated this twist in their lives. "Look, Ash," Sammy began, her sleeves fluttering gently, "It's okay. We're all learning here. You did what you had to do."

Dan nodded, "Yeah, we're all in this together. We can't just throw you out," he said.

Ash looked up, hopefully, "Really?"

"But," Sammy added, her sleeves crossing over her chest, "We need to be careful. If humans find out about us, it could be dangerous for all of us."

Ash nodded, "I know. And I promise, I won't let anyone else know. Ashley is cool with it, she said she won't tell anyone."

Dan shifted, "But what if she does? What if she tells her best friend or something?"

Ash's put her sleeves at her hips, "No, she won't! She's not like that! She said she thinks we're special. She views me as her friend." she said, with passion, defending Ashley.

"Okay, okay. We trust you. But if anything happens, you have to tell us immediately," Sammy said little bit shocked by Ash's sudden burst of confidence.

"I will," Ash promised. "And I am very sorry, for all the problems I've caused," she added, its collar drooping in genuine apology.

"It's okay," Sammy said, her voice softer, "We've all had to deal with surprises."

They fell into a silence, each lost in their thoughts. Dan, was the first to speak up, "What's it like, living with your owner knowing you're alive?"

Ash's sleeve lifted up as if in thought, "It's... strange. But also kind of amazing. She's really gentle with me, and we talk a lot," she replied.

Sammy leaned in, "What do you guys talk about?"

Ash shrugged, "Everything, I guess. She tells me about her day, her feelings, or we learn new words together," she said, a hint of pride in its voice.

"Wow, that's so cool." Sammy said, voice a mix of envy and wonder.

Dan nodded, "Yeah, it would be nice to not have to sneak around all the time," he said.

"Then...Why won't you tell them?" Ash asked tentatively.

Sammy looked at Ash, her fabric ruffling with discomfort, "You don't understand, Aiden and Sam can't keep secrets to save their lives," Sammy said, her voice tight with concern. "If they find out, they'll blab to everyone, and that's the last thing we need."

Dan nodded in agreement, "And if people find out, they might take us apart, experiment on us or worse," he added with hint of fear in his voice.

Ash looked down, feeling the weight of their words. She had never considered the implications of her confession, but deep down she felt so lucky that her owner turned out to be super understanding and caring. "I understand," Ash murmured. "I am so lucky that Ashley is not like that."

Sammy stepped closer, "So, now that we're all on the same page, let's get to know each other better, huh?" Sammy said, her sleeves reaching out as if to give a comforting pat.

"Yeah, but I think we should start with Ash. I think you kind of owe it to us" Dan said with a chuckle, his tone lightening up.

Sammy giggled, "Dan is right. Tell us more about your life with Ashley!" Sammy said, her crop top leaning forward eagerly.

Ash brightened up, "Okay, okay," she said, "So, what do you want to know?" she asked.

"Well, for starters, what's your typical day like?" Sammy asked, her sleeves folded listening with curiously.

"Well," Ash began, "She'll wake up, get dressed, and goes to school, while she is away I usually practice the words on her laptop, she left open for me," she said, "When she comes back, we spend time together, we talk, we learn, and sometimes we watch movies."

"Wow, that's so cool. You guys have like a real relationship," Sammy said excited.

Dan leaned in, "Do you guys do anything fun together?" he asked, eager for more details.

"We do a lot of things. Sometimes she lets me pick her outfit for the day and we have little fashion shows in her room," she said, the fabric moving with the excitement of sharing her life with the others.

"But the best part," Ash continued, "...is when she comes home tired and needs to unwind. She'll sit on the bed, and I'll crawl over to her, and she'll just...talk. She tells me about her crushes, her fears, her hopes," she said, a softness in its voice.

"That's so sweet," Sammy said. "I wish we could have something like that."

Dan snickered, "Yeah, right...But unfortunately I don't really think that's possible with our owners."

Sammy nodded, "But still, it's nice to imagine."

Dan chuckled, "Yeah, I guess so."

A sudden realization washed over Ash, "Oh no, I've been gone for almost a day and a half!" she exclaimed, her fabric tightening with worry. "Ashley must be so worried!"

"What are you going to do?" Sammy asked, her sleeves reaching out in concern.

"I have to go back," Ash said.

"I get it, but I don't think it's good idea to go outside in daylight," Dan says nervously.

"Sammy is right," Dan adds, "it's too risky. What if someone sees you?"

Ash looked down, her fabric rippling with anxiety, "I know, but I can't stay here any longer. I need to get back to Ashley."

"Maybe it would be best to wait until night and sneak out through the window," Dan said.

Sammy nodded in agreement, "It's less likely for anyone to see you then."

"But what will I do until then?" Ash looked around the room, feeling restless.

"We could just hang out, have fun," Sammy suggested, her sleeves waving in the air. "It'll keep your mind off the time."

Dan nodded with excitement, "Yeah!"

"Okay," Ash's fabric rippled, "I'd like that."

They spent the day chatting and playing simple games, interacting with their surroundings.

"Hey, watch this! I saw Aiden do this once," Dan called out, as he managed to do a flip and land on his 'feet'.

Sammy giggled, "Show off," she teased, her sleeves fluttering.

Ash watched with admiration, "That's so cool," she said, her fabric blushing slightly.

The day passed quickly as they continued to play, sharing laughs and stories of their mischievous adventures. It was clear that the bond between Dan and Ash was growing stronger.

"Okay, guys," Sammy interrupted their playful banter, "It's almost time for Aiden and Sam to get home from school. We should probably start thinking about hiding again."

"You're right," Dan nodded.

Ash shook, remembering the terrible experience from previous night "Please no, I can't go through that again," she said.

Sammy's sleeves wrapped around Ash comfortingly, "Don't worry, we won't let you go through that again," she said.

"But we can't stay here," Dan pointed out, "We'll be discovered for sure."

"Why don't we hide outside?" Sammy suggested, her shirt ruffling with excitement. "It's safer, and we can wait until dark there."

Dan nodded, "Good idea."

They made their way to the window, the warmth of the sun kissing their fabrics. They pushed open the window gently, the cool breeze felt nice. One by one, they climbed out, Dan using his sleeves to help Ash.

"So, what do we do now?" Ash asked, looking around the quiet backyard nervously.

"Well, we wait for the night," Sammy replied, her sleeves fluttering in the gentle evening breeze. "It's the safest option."

Dan nodded, "Yeah, and we can catch up on all the gossip from school," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

Sammy giggled, "I don't know about you two, but I've heard some juicy rumours."

"Oh, do tell," Ash said with excitement.

They settled down behind a bush, blending into the shadows. As they waited, they talked about their owners. Sammy shared stories of Sam's dramatic love life, making Dan and Ash laugh with every twist and turn.

"So, you really think that there's no possible way to tell Aiden and Sam about us?" Ash asked, curiosity stitched into its fabric.

Sammy sighed, "It's complicated. They're... well, they're a bit dense sometimes. And they're always so loud," she said, her sleeves fluttering. "I'm not sure they'd understand."

"Yeah," Dan chimed in, "and it's not like we can just walk up to them and say, 'Hey, guess what? Your clothes can think and feel now!' They'd totally freak."

Ash nodded, "I know, but it's just...I want them to know that we're more than just clothes. That we have feelings too."

Sammy looked at Ash with a mix of pity and admiration, "You really care about her, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. She's my...friend," Ash said, the word feeling odd but somehow right.

Sammy's sleeves wrapped around Dan "We're just worried about you, you know," Sammy said, her voice gentle. "But we understand why you want to go back."

"Maybe you could come with me?" Ash suggested, her collar popping up hopefully.

Sammy considered it for a moment before speaking up, "Okay, but if we do this, we have to be super careful. We can't let anyone else find out."

"Agreed," Dan said, his shirt nodding.

The sun dipped below the horizon. They waited patiently, their fabrics shivering slightly in the cool air. When the house lights turned off, they knew it was time.

"Okay, let's go," Sammy whispered, her sleeves stretching out as she emerged from behind the bush.

"Remember, we stick together," Dan said.

Ash nodded with excitement. "I know the way," she said.

They tiptoed across the lawn, sticking to the shadows. The journey was tense, blending with the night as they moved with surprising grace.

"There it is," Ash murmured, pointing to a house a few blocks away.

"You sure this is it?" Sammy whispered.

"Positive," Ash said with excitement. "That's where Ashley lives."

They approached the house cautiously. A sliver of light shining from Ashley's bedroom window.

"Looks like she's still up," Sammy noted, little bit nervous.

Dan nodded, "We'll wait until she goes to the bathroom or something."

After what felt like an eternity, Ashley left her room.

"Now's our chance!" Sammy said, her sleeves quivering with excitement.

They shuffled into the room through the widow, their fabric rustling quietly.

"You two should probably hide for now we don't want to overwhelm her," Ash said not wanting to scare Ashley with two other outfits she had never seen before suddenly appearing in her room.

Sammy nodded, "Good idea," she said. "We'll wait in the closet."

Dan agreed, "We'll be right here," he said as they both hid in the closet.

Meanwhile, Ash grabbed Ashley's laptop and sat on the bed, looking down at the ground waiting for Ashley to return to her room.

The sound of soft footsteps grew closer and the door opened. Ashley's silhouette appeared in the doorway, her shoulders slumped. Her gaze fell on Ash sitting on her bed, and she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Is that...is that you?" she whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief. The Ash looked up, her fabric shimmering with excitement and relief.

Ash nodded eagerly, the collar bobbing up and down. She held out the laptop in front of her, the screen facing Ashley. The text on the screen said : "I am so happy to be back, Ashley."

Ashley's eyes filled with tears as she approached her outfit. She hugged it picking it up into the air, holding it close to her chest. "I've been so worried," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "What happened? Where have you been?"

"I visit Aiden outfit," Ash typed out.

Ashley's eyes widened with shock. "What? How did you even find Aiden's house?" she asked.

Ash's fabric rippled with nervousness. "Found picture on internet," she typed out.

Ashley felt a mix of fear and excitement. "That's...that's incredible. B-but you can't just go around sneaking into people's houses...You can't just disappear like that...I was so worried," she said, her voice shaking.

Ash's fabric rippled with guilt, "I know. I am sorry," she typed out, looking at the floor.

Ashley's face softened as she wiped away her tears. "It's okay," she said, her voice gentle. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

The room felt like it was spinning as Ash tried to process the emotions coursing through her mind. She had never felt so seen or understood. "Thank you, Ashley," she managed to type out, her collar bobbing slightly. "You are my best friend."

"You too," Ashley whispered, leaning down to give Ash an another hug. She felt a strange sensation Ash hadn't experienced for a while—happiness.