“Amber, what are you wearing girl?” One of Amber’s friends mocked Anthony's conservative way of dressing. He let out a sigh. All day long the other teens knew something was up with Amber and it was driving him insane. The other girls were judging him, the guys paid him less and less attention as the day went on. As stupid as it was, Anthony craved the attention Amber usually got… even if he kept telling himself it was just to keep up the act. Add on the stress of Clara now hounding her about being the perfect daughter, making her study and checking in on what she was doing all the time, and it was becoming overwhelming. As promised, Clara drove Anthony to school that day, and she would do so going forward. Clara’s old, generic school uniform would do for the day, but they were going to have to get him some new clothes sooner or later. Of course, “Anthony” wouldn't be paying for them, Clara would. Clara would only give “Amber” a small allowance every week to keep her from giving into her “natural teen girl spending habits” as she put it and to teach Anthony “responsible spending” as if he needed such a thing. She acted as if he never was her husband… as if he had always been a teen girl… and it left him feeling small.
Clothes shopping was a drag. Anthony knew what Amber would wear, but every time he went to look at such clothes, Clara would pull him away from them. Makeup, cute, skimpy tops, and short shorts were what called out to Anthony's inner instincts, and yet they were all out of his reach. That was… until Clara wasn't watching. And then Anthony would use whatever small allowance he had to get clothes that he would actually wear at school. It wasn't a lot… but that small act of rebellion made him feel like a teen again. A teen… girl.
“Don't go anywhere, Amber. I have to use the restroom for just a moment.” Clara left Anthony at a table in a cafe in the food court. Awkwardly waiting he tried to figure out how to position himself. He shouldn't spread his legs, his hands should be… on his lap? Whatever, he was overthinking it, he just put his head in his hands. Until someone's voice, not Clara's, said “his” name across from him. It was a… taller guy. Blonde. About Amber’s age. But Anthony didn't recognize him, he certainly hadn't ever taught him. “Amber? What are you doing here?” The boy sat down and asked. He never properly introduced himself, and acted as if he and Amber should have already known each other… so Anthony couldn’t really just ask who he was out of nowhere.
“Oh, I’m just here shopping with my… Mom. She’s just in the restroom.” The jock gleefully continued on. “Oh! It’s just not often I see you here shopping without your friends. What’s all this? It’s not your usual style.” He indicated the bags of over-the-shoulder, high neckline, plain tops, and casual bottoms. He paid attention to what Amber normally wore? “Ah… It’s my Mom… she wants me to dress more modestly. It’s lame.” Anthony once again lamented the situation he found himself in. Why did Clara care so much about what he did? He was totally responsible! She would probably freak out if she saw him hanging out with this guy. He reached to his side and pulled out a few smaller bags that he had hidden amongst the larger ones and smiled as he showed the boy the crop tops and short skirts he had accrued in secret with what little money he had. “But… I’ve snuck a few things of my own in there.” The boy laughed as he saw her “work.” Their conversation continued on, largely just school gossip that Anthony was trying to keep up with. Throughout the course of it, between the laughing and light touching, Anthony responded to the name Amber more and more. Hearing this guy say “Amber this” and “Amber that” all the time really cemented it in her brain. She was Amber now. She… was Amber now…
“Oh shoot! That’s my Mom. Sorry, you have to go!” Clara was moving towards their section of the food court, and fast! Without the urgency that Amber really would have preferred he would teach the situation with, the mysterious classmate got up and smirked as he began to walk away. “I’ll see you later. We spend more time together! I had fun.” Was Amber… the clumsy imitation that she was, really that fun to be around? The idea made her heart skip a beat while she dwelled on the warmth of where his hand was once holding her own. She hadn’t even noticed… And by the time she realized she didn’t even know his name, he was gone. “All right Amber, ready to go home? I think we really got out with quite the haul…” Clara smiled as she looked her “daughter” up and down. She looked… happy. And she immediately responded to her name! They were on the right track…
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