The Suit

Sitting out on the balcony one sunny Sunday morning watching as the world passed by, I was joined by my mum who sat down in the chair next to me, and she handed me a bottle of water, "Anna, seeing as you are starting college in September, I know it's only May so we've a bit to go yet, but I know that because of your stellar grades that you'll get in some place, I am taking you out for dinner tonight, and I want you to be appropriately dressed for it. Your father would be very proud of the beautiful young woman you have grown into, as am I, sweetheart. We're going to be joined by Sarah who has come over from America to see us, and she's on holiday leave from work so she has some time off, and also by Karen and her daughter Lizzie and son Mark. Karen has been my best friend for the last thirty two years, and I want you to look properly dressed in front of her tonight. Get changed, and we'll head into town to buy you something to wear for tonight." Pushing my hair out of my face, I stood up and as I was walking to my bedroom to get dressed, I was wondering what I would be wearing for dinner, it was rare that Mum and I would go out for dinner as she and I were both great cooks and as it was just the two of us at home, we would cook in turns, so Monday night I might cook, and then Tuesday night, she would cook. Even though it was just the two of us at home, I always enjoyed my mum's company, I had friends, don't get me wrong, but when we were at home, mum and I were the best of friends, and we would often talk about various memories I had growing up. I was born as a twin, but unfortunately my other sibling did not survive which was a heartbreaking moment for my mum, it was something she never really got over, and she knew that my sister would be looking down from heaven with my dad and smiling at us. 

Going upstairs, I walked into my bedroom and got dressed, mum and I were always casually dressed at home, usually I would wear a pair of denim jeans and a t-shirt, sometimes they would be music ones such as Metallica or Jimi Hendrix or something like that, other times it might have been something sports related, such as a Real Madrid jersey. My mum had given birth to me when she was on holiday in Madrid, and we lived there for a year so she often took me to the Real Madrid matches in the Bernabeu, I was too young to fully remember them, but whenever we went back there on holiday, mum and I would nearly always try and get tickets for a match there if the season was still going on. Tying my hair back to keep it out of my face, I got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror. I then walked into the bathroom and started to brush my teeth. At that moment I felt something rubbing against my leg, and looking down, I realised it was my cat Juno. We had received her as a kitten and I decided to name her Juno, she was a apple red colour and she always had her ball in her mouth so that we would be able to throw it around for her to catch and she would never get tired of catching it. I then heard my mum exclaim, "sweetheart, is Juno up there with you? I've some food here for her." Before I even replied, I watched Juno stroll out of the room and down the stairs, she was never a fussy cat and never threw a tantrum. At first Juno was always rather nervous around strangers, but as she grew she got over this habit and she would often affectionately rub against their leg. Making my way back downstairs, I could smell the aroma of cooked breakfast and upon entering the kitchen, I saw that mum had prepared a fry for us. "It's Sunday, so I said why not? We'll eat and then we'll head into town, I'm anxious to go into town, do our business and come home again so that we can get ready for dinner, I want everything to go perfectly, I know you won't do anything out of line, you're too mature for anything like that, but I want the evening to go perfectly all the same." Nodding, I picked up my car keys from the rack where we kept them, exclaiming, "I'll drive today Mum, you had a two hour drive home from that meeting yesterday, so it's only fair that I take the duty today." When I was 17 I had done my driving test and earned my provisional licence, and then last year, I had earned my full licence, so I often drove to school myself. I would always have some music playing while I was driving to school, I found it helped to sooth my nerves for the day ahead, plus it was the only chance I had on school mornings because we were strictly prohibited from using our phones in school, except for when we would have our weekly PE day where we were allowed to use our phones to listen to music if we were in the gym area. If we were caught using our phones in school outside of our PE day, we would have to give the teacher who caught us the phone and she would give it to the headmistress who would confiscate it until the end of the school day. Luckily, I never was caught using my phone in the five and a half years I've been in secondary school.

Driving into town, I parked my car in the local car park and we got out. Looking around me when I arrived on the main street, the city centre was manic with people walking in various different directions, some were holding several shopping bags, and others were just wearing a backpack, it probably meant that they were not buying copious amounts of items such as clothes or the groceries. As I was about to walk down the main street, I noticed a girl in my school who didn't particularly like me, for reasons I don't completely understand, probably because the fact that I was the best soccer player in the school, and I'm not saying that to be gloating or anything, I had won the school's soccer player of the year award five years running which was a record as no other student had ever won it more than once in the school's history. I had won it almost every year that I was in the school, again, I'm not gloating or anything, I was not one to gloat or glorify myself and look down on others, it was not my style. After about an hour of searching and not finding anything particularly striking to wear, Mum noticed a tailor shop across the street that I had never seen before, though I had heard about it in the newspaper. Piquing my interest, I wondered if there was something there that I thought would be good to wear for my celebratory dinner. Crossing the street, I followed Mum inside the shop. Looking around me, I was in awe of all the various clothes that were on hangers and the shelves, beautiful long dresses, professional looking suits and countless others. My awe was interrupted when I noticed a woman walking over to us with a tape measure draped over her shoulders. "Good morning, and welcome to the Suit Workshop, we opened just last week, I'm Lily-Rose Torres, but everyone just calls me Lily, I'm the owner, and this is my daughter Angela. I noticed you looking around, we do dresses as well, but we are primarily selling suits, ties and various accessories for a suit such as tie-pins and the like. Take a look around and let me know if there's anything I can help you with." Nodding, I replied, "thanks." The amount of suits was amazing, and it was something new, I had never worn a suit before, and the only time I wore a tie was at school, so I was eager to try wearing a suit for the first time, and wearing a tie outside of school hours, also for the first time, the tricky part was choosing what colour suit to pick, and what colour tie to go with it.

I first tried on a black suit with a patterned light blue tie, and for someone my age, I felt so professional, my confidence was radiant, and I knew now what it was like when I saw people dressed for work every day. Tying my tie, I looked at myself in the mirror, I was surprised that I had never worn a suit before, it felt amazing. Walking out of the fitting room, I made my way over to mum who took a look at me and exclaimed, "sweetheart, you look absolutely fantastic, and the tie looks really good on you. Try on some more and see what you think of them, I know this is the first one so I've yet to see the other ones on you, but it looks really good and the colour really suits you, the tie matches the colour of your eyes." Next I tried on a creamy beige coloured suit and tie, and looking at myself in the mirror, I was delighted with the first two, but I knew that I would have to try on several different ones before I could make a decision. I was surprised that I had never worn a suit before, it was so awe inspiring to wear one, and my confidence was in a whole new echelon, nothing in the world could have brought my confidence down, not even if you rudely insulted me. I noticed the girl from school who disliked me, emerging from another fitting room wearing a long red dress and high heels. Looking at me in the suit, she suppressed a giggle, but I just threw it aside and did not care what she thought of me, I felt fantastic in the suit and I was not going to let anyone tell me otherwise. 

After about an hour, we had gone through the various suits that I had tried on, and eventually I settled on the black suit and the light blue patterned tie. In addition, I had decided to buy a few more of them, one of which being the beige one. Once we had paid for them, I decided that I would wear one to break them in like you would with a new pair of shoes, and I also bought a pair of black loafers to match the suit, the only thing that was not black was the tie, but I did not mind, Lily had told me that I pulled off any colour suit so I was not bothered by it. When we had finished, I got changed out of my casual clothes and put on the black suit so that I could break it in. Walking out of the shop, Mum and I walked down the street and as I was making my way down the street I noticed everyone looking at me with looks of awe on their face. A girl about my own age approached me, "hi, could I take a selfie with you? It's just I'm in awe of your suit." Taking her phone in my hand, I exclaimed, "you certainly can, go for it." Taking the selfie, she smiled, "thanks, can I share it on my Instagram story?" Nodding, I replied, "sure." When I had finished I walked further down the street and nearly every second person stopped me to tell me how amazing I looked in the suit. When I got into the car, I headed for home. Pulling up outside my house, I was greeted by our next door neighbour, Vanessa who exclaimed, "Anna, you look fantastic, and that suit really does suit you, no pun intended. Your mother is very kind to make sure you look the part for your celebratory dinner. She asked me if I wanted to join you guys, but I've to see my mother tonight, I've to sort out some business with moving her into the nursing home." 

At that moment, Mum got out of the car, she was just finishing a phone call. "Hello Carrie, I was just saying that Anna looks absolutely fantastic in that suit", Vanessa exclaimed. Mum wiped her sunglasses and put them back on the top of her head. "Hello Vanessa, lovely day today. It's a pity you can't join us tonight, you were like a second mother to Anna as she grew up." Straightening my tie, I walked into the house and put my handbag down on a chair in the kitchen, I had never felt more confident in my entire life, and I contemplated about starting an Instagram page showing me in various suits, and after a couple of minutes I had decided I would. Setting it up, this was going to be a separate one to my normal account. Posting a picture of me in the suit, the comments were pouring in from all of my friends who were saying things like how gorgeous I was in the suit, and others saying that my levels of drip reached a new echelon. Within about twenty minutes of setting up the account, I had reached 100 followers, most of whom were my school friends, and then other people on Instagram. I decided to name the account page 'the girl in the suits'.

After what seemed like an instant, evening time came along, and I was ready for my dinner celebration. Looking at myself in the kitchen mirror, I loosened and then retied my tie, I had decided to wear it in a double Windsor knot which was the first one I had ever learned to tie. As I was finished looking at myself in the mirror, Mum walked into the kitchen, and looking at me, she exclaimed, "Anna, sweetheart, you have never looked more beautiful in your entire life, you're wearing your tie in a double Windsor knot, that was my favourite tie knot when your father would wear a suit and tie to work, I used to tie his tie for him every morning, he knew how to tie one of course, but I always liked to do it for him." Mum had decided to wear a beige coloured dress which went to her ankles, and a pair of diamond earrings that my dad had bought her as a wedding present. She had also decided to wear a matching colour blazer with her dress which I thought looked fantastic. Walking over to me, she straightened my tie, exclaiming, "I'm extremely proud of you sweetheart, you have grown into a beautiful young woman, and your father would be incredibly proud of you right now. Come on, let's go, otherwise we'll be late for our reservation."

Just as I was about to get back into the car with Mum, we noticed another car pulling up outside our house, and as I watched the person roll down the window, I was delighted to see that it was Karen, Lizzie and Mark, and then a taxi pulled up behind Mum's car. I was delighted to see that it was my aunt Sarah who had come over from America. Hugging her, she paused to look at me in the suit as did everyone else, and they all agreed that I looked fantastic in my suit and tie. Karen piped up, "we can go in my car, there's plenty of room for all of you." Sitting in the seat next to Lizzie and Mark, I noticed them turning to me, and both exclaimed, "Anna, you look gorgeous in that suit, and the tie is absolutely fantastic, you really know how to look the part." Nodding, I replied, "yes, I might start wearing a suit and tie more often in the future." When we arrived at the restaurant, we were escorted to our table by a very nice staff member.  Sitting down, we were given the menus and had a look at what we would choose to eat. After a few minutes I decided to have a chicken dish which looked good, and when we handed back the menus and made our decisions, we all started talking, and then we were given our drinks, Mum had decided to get a bottle of white wine for the table and we all would have some, except for Karen who was driving. A couple of minutes later the food arrived, and before we started to eat, Mum spoke up to us all at the table, "everyone, I'm so glad to have you here to celebrate Anna's achievements. Anna,, I know I say it every day, but sweetheart, I am immensely proud of you, and I am truly honoured to be your mother, in the blink of an eye you have grown into a beautiful and highly intelligent young woman, and I know your father and sister would also be very proud of you." Hearing these words, I smiled, I was always delighted to hear Mum praise me so much. 

Looking around the table at the various dinners that we had ordered, they all smelled amazing, the aroma of cooked food was wafting through the restaurant. Picking up my cutlery, I started eating my dinner, but I knew something was wrong when I took my first bite. There was pepper in my chicken. I had an allergy to pepper, and I started choking. Mum looked up from her dinner, "Anna? Anna, speak to me. She can't speak, quick, somebody give her the Heimlich." Eventually I managed to get the bit of chicken back up onto a small side plate, and with tears in my eyes, I ran into the bathroom. A minute later, Mum followed me in and saw me sitting in a chair, and I had loosened my tie a little bit. Crouching down in front of me, she wiped my tears, and I exclaimed, "I'm sorry Mum, I've embarrassed you in front of everyone." Wiping the last of my tears, she replied, "Anna, sweetheart, don't be silly, it could have happened to anyone. Sweetheart, you could never embarrass me, you're too grown up to do that.  The waitress kindly said she'd get one of the chefs to make you something else. Now, let's fix that tie again, and we'll head back out to the table." Watching with a smile as Mum fixed my tie, I then followed her back out of the bathroom.

When we had finished, Mum, Sarah and I headed home, I was absolutely shattered from the whole evening. Waking up the following morning, I had my breakfast and then my shower. Putting on my uniform, I looked at myself in the mirror, I only had another month of school left, which I was partially sad about because it meant that when I was in college I wouldn't be wearing a school uniform and I really liked wearing one, like I did wearing my suit and tie last night.

When we pulled up outside the school, I got out of the car and made my way into the building where I was greeted by many of my fellow students. As I made my way to my locker to get my books, they were all telling me how good I looked in the suit yesterday from the post on my new Instagram account. I felt like that of a celebrity, but I was never one to gloat or anything like that, I was always too modest for it. The girl who disliked me was stunned by my newfound popularity and marched over to me with her two best friends in tow. "Well, if it isn't Anna." Turning around, I sarcastically replied, "Miranda, how nice to see you as always, and you brought your little motley crew with you as well. If there's nothing of value in this conversation, kindly excuse me, I'm a busy girl and I have things to do." Aggressively grabbing me and shoving me against my locker, she replied, "I don't like your new found popularity, I am the queen bee around here and everyone in this pathetic year knows it." I watched as two girls walked over, jumped to my aid and stood in front of me, and facing Miranda, one exclaimed, "a little jealous are we, Miranda? Wake up and smell the coffee beans Miranda, nobody here likes you, you're nothing but a spoilt brat and you think just because you get everything you want from your parents that you are immediately the most popular girl in this entire school, but everyone hates you, and we all know you pretend to put on this pretend charm in front of the teachers, now, kindly leave Anna alone and go off and do something else." The rest of the students in the locker area all nodded in agreement. Clearly disgusted by my new found popularity and support from the student body, Miranda scowled and turned on her heels.

The rest of my day went without any other events, and when I arrived home I went upstairs to change my clothes. Putting on one of my suits, I walked downstairs and into the kitchen where Mum was reading her book at the kitchen island. Looking up from her book, she exclaimed, "Anna, sweetheart, why are you wearing one of your suits?" Sitting down next to her, I replied, "truth be told Mum, I want to start wearing a suit and tie more often." Nodding with approval, she replied, "that's wonderful sweetheart, truly wonderful. I wholeheartedly approve, you're starting to dress more professionally and you don't even have a job yet." This time I decided not to wear a tie so it was just a cream coloured suit and a white shirt which I left the top two buttons open. I had also decided to wear my set of pearls around my neck, and taking a selfie, I posted it up on my Instagram page. Within moments of posting it, I noticed numerous positive comments on it. Sitting down at the island next to her, Mum and I started chatting for a while about various things, and I noticed she had a bundle of different college prospectuses on the table. "Sweetheart, when you get a chance, we'll go through these at the weekend. Now, I better make some dinner, it's not going to cook itself." Nodding, I replied, "sure, I'll take a look in the next couple of days if I'm not too bogged down with my schoolwork." We also had a golden coloured Labrador, Bolt, at home and he and Juno were always playing with each other. Hearing Bolt barking quietly at the door, I exclaimed, "Mum, I'm just taking Bolt for a walk. I'll be back in fifteen or twenty minutes." Looking up from her book, she replied, "righto love, I'll cook the dinner while you're out walking Bolt."

As I was walking Bolt down the street, I was met by some of my friends from school and I let them walk with me which they felt was very nice. One of them opened my Instagram page, and looking at the followers, he exclaimed, "Anna, you have almost nine hundred followers on your Instagram page. People are going crazy over how good you looked in that suit yesterday." As we were walking along the street, I had to take a look at my Instagram page myself, and my friend was spot on, I had 893 followers on my 'the girl in the suits', I was stunned at how immensely popular my suit selfie had become. I then noticed Miranda passing by with her friends, and stopping, she sarcastically exclaimed, "Anna, how nice to see you as always." I noticed Bolt was getting rather angry, and holding him back, I exclaimed, "Bolt, stop that." Looking down at Bolt, Miranda smirked, "I'd get that pathetic flea-bag obedience lessons Anna, he clearly doesn't know how to act in the presence of someone like me." Almost as if he understood what Miranda was saying, Bolt became even more irritated. He was almost fit to lose his cool but holding him back, I exclaimed, "it's ok Bolt, don't mind the nasty girl." My friends all agreed, and clearly defeated and embarrassed, Miranda turned on her heel and walked away in disgust. She clearly sought to embarrass me in front of Bolt and my friends, but her plan had seemingly backfired.

Wonderful story! Curious if you have a preference between a pant suit and a skirt suit?

fotw2012 wrote:Wonderful story! Curious if you have a preference between a pant suit and a skirt suit?

Thanks a million, I'm hoping to be an author part time so I need all the practice, and doing these helps. I'm a fan of both. I'll try and add in more specifically in the story whether they are pant suits or skirt suits. Let me know what you think of it it as it progresses, and if you have any ideas let me know in the comments or DM me on this.

Arriving home, I brought Bolt upstairs, he always slept at the foot of my bed so he was able to lie down for a little while and have a nap. Curious how my suits Instagram page was looking, I opened it and to my surprise, my number of followers had soared significantly, it was almost 2500 in the space of a couple days, I could not believe how fast the awe of me in a suit on Instagram had spread. After I had my dinner, I went upstairs and finished my homework for the day which took me a couple of hours, but that did not bother me because I loved studying, it always made me happy to know that I was always learning something new. 

I was just about to sit down on my bed when Mum came up into my room, she was rather  concerned about something. Wondering what it could be, I was about to ask when she exclaimed, "Anna, sweetheart, you had better get changed into one of your more formal suits, we're invited to my boss's house for drinks and some food to meet a new staff member, I'm thinking you should wear that navy pinstripe skirt suit and the blue tie." Nodding, I replied, "sure, I'll get changed, you don't really want to go to this, do you Mum?" Shaking her head, she wiped her glasses and replied, "not really, I'm delighted to have a new colleague, but I don't want to go to Janine's house to meet them. Janine is always so rude to me at work, and there are days where I just want to pack it all in and quit. Nobody likes her, and she's always bragging about things like her holidays last summer and how she spent them in a six star hotel, we all agree that she's a total snob, but we daren't say it opposite her, not unless we wanted to be fired on the spot, and sure you don't particularly like Miranda very much. Only for meeting this new colleague we'll go, otherwise you wouldn't find me dead in Janine's house, of course you'd have to be invited first. I suppose all we can do is grin and bare it. I don't blame you if you were contemplating staying here, but she invited us both, I'd prefer to sit down in the living room, crack open a bottle of wine and we'd watch a movie. Your dad and I would often have a glass of wine together on the couch and watch movies together when I had put you to sleep."  

A few minutes later, I had changed into my skirt suit and Mum offered to do my tie for me which was very nice of her. She had tied my tie in a double Windsor knot, and looking at myself in the mirror, I very proud of how I looked, I was proud of how I looked in any of my suits, and despite the fact I was not yet in college or in a full time job, I felt very professional looking. Straightening my tie in the mirror, I nodded with approval and followed Mum downstairs. With a radiant smile on her face, Mum exclaimed, "Anna, you look absolutely gorgeous in that suit." Flattered by her comments, I replied, "thanks Mum, and since I've started wearing suits, I don't miss wearing a dress. " Taking a selfie, I posted it to my Instagram page and within seconds the likes and positive comments were pouring in. Making our way out of the house, Mum turned on the alarm and then followed me out. The sun was starting to set which turned the sky a lovely peachy pink colour which signified that tomorrow was going to be a beautiful day. Getting into the car, Mum and I both sighed, we knew that this was going to be a long evening, most of which would be spent listening to Janine regale us with her achievements and other things like that. From what Mum had told me, Janine sounded very stuck up, and she would even be bragging at work. Janine was also a very competitive person and she did not like anyone in the locality doing better at anything, she was always finding a way to one up them. I was not looking forward to the evening one bit and I would have preferred to be sitting on the balcony with Mum chatting about various things.

After about fifteen minutes we arrived at Janine's house, and stepping out of the car, I noticed her walking to meet us. "Carrie, Anna, how nice to see you both arriving for my little soirée, of course I was planning this since the new member accepted my offer. I've prepared this for hours, if not days on end. This will be the talk of the town and everyone will be starstruck when they hear about it." We were about to follow her in when Mum stopped me, "wait a second Anna. Christ, does Janine ever shut up about herself? Every day at work we've to listen to her bragging about her latest triumphs." When she had finished talking, Mum and I walked into the house, and Janine exclaimed, "look at my new carpet, it cost me a fortune, of course everyone will be immensely jealous when they see it." Muttering under my breath, I said, "not really." Hearing this, Mum nudged me in the side, "Anna, I very rarely, if ever, correct you on anything, but hold your tongue in front of Janine." Nodding, I replied, "sorry Mum." Straightening my tie, she exclaimed, "it's ok sweetheart." Just as we were about to walk into the living room, I noticed Miranda walking towards me, she was wearing a red dress and high heels. I knew this was not going to be a good meeting, and linking arms with me, she walked into the living room. I was rather embarrassed by this, but I knew I had to play along despite how nauseating I felt inside.

At that moment I noticed Miranda's older sister Aurelia walk into the room and Miranda started her usual bragging. Surprisingly, Aurelia was not like Janine and Miranda, unlike them, Aurelia was never bragging and she detested it when her mother and sister would break out into their usual regales. Motioning me to follow her, I broke off Miranda's grip and followed Aurelia out of the room, "Anna, lovely to see you as always, you were one of my favourite first years when we were your class prefects. Don't mind Miranda, you just enjoy the evening as best you can. It sickens me when they start bragging incessantly, for me anyways it gets repetitive and there are times I want to tell both of them to shut up. The reason I'm staying with my aunt and uncle since I started college is because I had put up with nineteen years of my mum's garbage, and trust me, you would too if you had to put up with it. I love your suit by the way, you look very attractive and professional in it, you have grown up so much since I left the school, and your mum tells me you're starting college in September, I'm very proud of you, and I know you shall get in somewhere nice, you always had stellar grades in school. I know you want to be a teacher, and the lecturers in my college are always very nice, I'll definitely recommend that they enrol you." With a radiant smile on my face, I replied, "Aurelia, thank you, that's very kind of you to do that for me."

Walking around with her, Aurelia introduced me to several other people who told me they all shared the same feeling as I did, so that was some comfort to me, I knew I wasn't the only one who hated being here. With a glass of wine in her hand, Janine started to make her way over to me. "well, if it isn't the famous Anna, Miranda has told me a lot about you, she says you're quite the academic. Let me introduce you to some people I know who are college staff, they'd be very interested in your potential. Excuse us Aurelia, Anna and I have business to attend to." Being dragged over to meet the people Janine spoke of, I knew that this was going to be hit or miss, and when we arrived, Miranda linked arms with me again, and I looked at her with a look that seemed to say, "Miranda, what are you doing?" She could tell that I was thinking this, and she straightened my tie, "this could be the start of a bright future for you Anna." I was gone crimson with embarrassment, Miranda was dressing me in front of all these people, I was nearly fit to die of embarrassment right there, I could not believe what Miranda was doing, in school she hated me, but here at the party she was acting like she was my best friend. I noticed Aurelia glaring at Miranda with disapproval, she knew Miranda was putting on this false act of being my friend so that people would believe that she had friends that she could brag about to others. I was nearly nauseous again at Miranda's actions. 

Mum looked over at me and I mouthed, "help me" to her, but Janine seemed to spot this and she and Mum went out to the balcony where some of the other guests were. This meant I was trapped in Miranda's clutches and she was aggressively holding me alongside her. I knew I had no way out of it so I just had to grin and bare it no matter how much I hated the idea of being with her.

Miranda walked over with me to the people that Janine had spoken of and introduced me to them. One woman called Carole exclaimed, "it's a pleasure to meet you Anna. I've heard your name going around a few times. These are my friends and colleagues, Tobias, Helena, Samantha and Sarah." I felt Miranda loosen her grip, and I watched as she made her way to the kitchen. Relieved for a moment, Carole looked at me, exclaiming, "you can't stand her too? Janine is always boasting at work about Miranda, and she's completely oblivious to the fact that nobody else cares." Laughing, I replied, "I've to put up with Miranda at school." Helena nodded, "she's right, Janine is absolute torture to be around, other than this party, you wouldn't catch me dead coming here, I can't abide Janine, she's always spouting her social achievements in front of everyone." 

Just as I was about to reply, I noticed a girl walking towards me, she was wearing a light blue pantsuit and matching tie which I thought looked incredible. Helena and her colleagues excused themselves and went off to find some of the other guests to mingle with. Looking at the girl's suit, I was surprised at first, and then she exclaimed, "you must be Anna, I recognised you from your Instagram page, I'm Louisa, my mum and I just moved here. May I say, I am in awe of your suit, it looks absolutely gorgeous, and you cut a very professional look." Flattered, I replied, "pleasure to meet you Louisa, I did not think I'd find another girl who liked wearing a suit and tie was much I do."

Should Louisa and Anna get to know each other better and then in time become best friends, or should they start going out with each other, with their mutual love of wearing a suit and tie?

What if Louisa helps Anna Grow her Instagram page and that starts them down a romantic path. I don’t know how you would put this in the story but maybe Anna goes shopping for another suit and tie shockingly finds Miranda trying them on and totally embarrassed by it she been hiding it from her mother and friends because they would mock her like she does Anna

A few days later, I was sitting outside on our balcony when I heard the doorbell ringing. Getting up, I walked out to the front door to see who it was, and I was delighted when I saw it was Louisa standing in the doorway. I heard Mum say, "who is it sweetheart?" Pushing my hair back, I replied, "it's Louisa, you know, from the party." Mum replied, "invite her in." I motioned to Louisa to come in and we then walked out onto the balcony and sat down. Looking around her, Louisa exclaimed, "the view from here is fantastic, you can see for miles on end. Anyways, I was out walking and your mum had told me where you guys lived the other night at the party. I wanted to help you grow your Instagram page, you have over 3500 followers, and I took a social media summer course last year, and I can help you increase your followers fivefold." I was delighted to hear this, and I wondered how and what Louisa would do to help me increase my number of followers. Over the course of about three hours Louisa and I had discussed various ways to increase my total number of followers, and I had seen it skyrocket to over 17,500 which meant that what Louisa said came true, my followers had increased fivefold. I noticed a beautiful gleam in her eyes, and she noticed I had the same gleam, could it have been love at first sight? I was not sure what to say or do in case I said something wrong. She moved over a little closer to me which I was curious about, but then she exclaimed, "Anna, this is probably a weird question to ask straight out, but I'll give it a try, are you single?" Nodding, I replied softly, "yes, I have been for the last two and a half years, my ex-boyfriend was dating Miranda, but they broke up a couple of days ago, he was cheating on her like he did with me so I'm not angered by him cheating on me anymore. I've been single for two years, I suppose I just never found the right person for me. Being bisexual got me some criticism at first, but then as time went by, my fellow students came to understand my choice."

As the evening progressed, I felt myself getting more and more attracted to Louisa, she was into wearing a suit and tie like I was, she was so beautiful and we shared a common interest. I had never felt a stronger attraction to anyone else in my life. I watched as she took my hand in hers, and I exclaimed, "Louisa, in all my 19 years, I have never been more attracted to anyone in my life. You show up at the party the other day, dressed to the nines in that suit, I didn't think there were girls out there who shared my interest." I then noticed her opening the backpack she had with her, and she exclaimed, "give me two minutes, I've got a surprise for you." I watched with curiosity as she walked back into the house, and made her way to the bathroom under the stairs. I was wondering what surprise it was going to be, and then I was stunned with awe when I noticed her returning to the balcony in a navy skirt suit and tie. "Louisa, you look absolutely gorgeous." Sitting down again, she exclaimed, "thanks Anna, I was wondering if we could do a couple of posts together for your Instagram page." Nodding, I replied, "sure, I'll just go and get changed. When I had changed my clothes, I had decided on the cream coloured suit and a light navy patterned tie. Tying it in a double Windsor knot, I looked at myself in the mirror and made my way downstairs. When I returned to the balcony, I noticed Mum was chatting with Louisa, and exclaimed, "ah, here she is now. Anna, sweetheart, I've to go and do a few things for work. Louisa, you're welcome to stay for dinner if you want to, it'd be nice to have some company, you see, Anna's dad died when she was little so since then it's only been the two of us living here." Louisa smiled, "thank you Carrie, that's very kind of you." Watching as she walked back into the house, I closed the door leading to the balcony and watched as Mum saluted from her car. Hearing the car drive away, I sat down next to Louisa, I was determined that it was love at first sight. 

The following Saturday, I had made my way into town with Louisa to buy some more suits and ties, and when I arrived at the Suit Workshop, I walked in where I was greeted by Lily who exclaimed, "Anna, your popularity in the suits is just incredible, and thank you for tagging us in your posts, we've never had so much business in the short time we've been here. Take a look around and see what you like, and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you." Nodding, I replied, "thanks Lily, I will do." Looking around me at the various suits and ties on the hangers, I was about to take one off the rack when I stopped in my tracks. The fitting room door opened, and I watched as Miranda emerged from it wearing a light blue pantsuit and tie, she looked quite good in it. Walking over to her, I exclaimed, "Miranda, you look great in that suit, but how come you're wearing one now, and only a few days ago you weren't so approving of the popularity I got from wearing one and posting it on my Instagram page?" Miranda looked at me, "Anna, firstly I want to apologise for how I have treated you over the years. Secondly, I secretly detest my mother always making me act like a snob the whole time, I suppose the anger I felt, I was taking it out on you, and you didn't deserve it. Thirdly, she is gone off to meet a couple of work colleagues for lunch, and I said I'd come in here and try on some suits. My mother is very strict and she would be embarrassed and would mock me if she ever saw me wearing a suit and tie, she's very strict in what I wear, but she would not approve of me 'cross-dressing'."

Just as she said it, Janine walked into the shop, and with disgust on her face, she exclaimed, "so, this is where you have been the whole time. Miranda, take off that silly suit and tie this instant! I will not have you looking silly in public, now do as I say and let's go, there is a lot to be done for your auntie's visit tonight, I'm taking you for a dress fitting, it looks more ladylike in comparison to wearing a suit and tie like some cross-dressing weirdo. I will not have you cross-dressing in front of the people in our area, I have a reputation to uphold." Miranda replied with a sarcastic comment under her breath, and I watched as Janine then grabbed her aggressively by her tie, "listen to me you spoilt brat, I am sick and tired of listening to your whining, you shall wear what I approve of, I forbid you from deciding what formalwear you shall choose, now I believe I said take off that suit and tie, do it now or I shall ground you for a month." 

I watched as Miranda reluctantly nodded and returned to the fitting room to change back into her regular clothes, and then followed Janine out of the shop with a look of disappointment on her face, she only wanted to try something new, something different, and Janine had blown any opportunity of that straight out of the water. Even though Miranda had treated me horribly for the past five years in school, I felt sorry for her, Janine was completely controlling her life which I thought was simply despicable.

When we had finished in the Suit Workshop, Louisa and I were walking down the street with our new suits when Miranda passed us. She was wearing a silver dress and was holding a bag of groceries in her hand, and then hearing a clink, I knew that she had a couple of bottles of wine or something in the bag. She looked at me, and walked over to us, she still had the same look of disappointment on her face which I was sad to see. "It seems that I'm being punished by having to do the shopping myself. I hate it when my mother corrects me, I want to do things that I want to do, but my mum controls my entire life, and I now understand why Aurelia hates her, and why she lives with our aunt and uncle. Anyways, I'll see you guys on Monday in school." I watched as she resumed walking down the street with the groceries in her hand, and Louisa turned to me, "I feel sorry for her, Anna, her life is on a lead held by her mother." Nodding in agreement, I replied, "you're absolutely spot on, the poor girl took her anger out on me for five years, and I realise that she needed something to help let it out, I just didn't think it would be me." 

Arriving home, I brought my suits upstairs and hung them in my wardrobe. Making my way back onto the balcony, I sipped a bottle of water and sat down next to Louisa. Taking her hand in mine, I shimmied down a little on the bench. Looking at me with that same gleam in her eyes, she leaned over and then kissed me. Moving back down, she looked slightly embarrassed, "I'm sorry Anna, I don't know what came over me, I've probably embarrassed myself and you." Laughing, I pushed her hair back from her face, and placing my hand on her cheek, I replied, "not at all, I liked it, you're a good kisser Louisa." Now it was her turn to laugh, and replied, "thanks Anna, but I've a secret to tell you." Wondering what it could be, she wiped her glasses and composed herself, "Anna, the truth is I've never kissed anyone before, this is the first time I've ever kissed someone." Louisa was a beautiful young woman so I was sure that this was a lie, a feeling she knew I was thinking. "I understand your surprise Anna, but it's the truth."

In what seemed like an instant, Monday arrived and it was time for me to go to school, I had only three weeks of secondary school left which I was a little sad about because it meant that some of my school friends were going to various colleges around the world and I would not see them for a long time. Getting showered and dressed, I was tying my tie in the mirror and I was thinking further about Miranda, I felt sorry for her, she was being used as fodder to help advance her mother's bragging. Today was an important day at school so we had to wear our blazers which on formal school occasions was mandatory. When I had finished brushing my teeth, I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen where Mum was drinking a glass of water, and I could see that she was slightly sweating even though the kitchen was at room temperature. Walking over to the medicine cabinet, I took out a thermometer and put it to her forehead, she was burning up. I looked at her and exclaimed, "Mum, you're not driving me to school today, you're staying here to rest. I'll get Louisa's mum to drop us to school." Nodding, she replied, ok sweetheart, and I've already called work to tell them I won't be coming in today." I watched as she went back upstairs and then followed her. Watching as she got into bed, I exclaimed, "I'll see you later Mum."

When Louisa's mum Sandra dropped us to school, I got out of the car and noticed Janine and Miranda. Something told me this was not going to be a good thing. I watched as Janine was tying Miranda's tie, and Miranda had a scarlet look on her face, she was being embarrassed in front of our fellow students which despite after putting up with five years of her mistreating me, I felt sorry for her. Miranda went to say something when Janine intercepted her, "listen to me Miranda, you spoilt brat, I've been grooming you for nearly twenty years into the future heir of my company. I have clearly been spoiling you too much, and you're completely ungrateful. I've already disowned Aurelia, and I am on the verge of disowning you as well. I was never more embarrassed on Saturday when I saw you in that suit, you are my heir, not some cross-dressing weirdo like that Anna girl, I was never more embarrassed seeing her in that suit and tie the other night at the party, Carrie must be too lenient if she's allowing her daughter to wear a suit and tie in public. Anna should be wearing dresses, not a suit and tie. 

When Janine got into the car and drove away, Louisa and I strolled over to Miranda who still had the scarlet look on her face, she had never been more mortified in her life. She turned to me with a slight scowl, "come to embrace me further Anna? I doubt that you could after what you just witnessed." Shaking my head, I replied, "No Miranda, I have not come to embarrass you further. Louisa and I came over because we felt sorry for you." With a smile on her face, she replied, "really? That's very kind of you both." Looking at her eyes, I could get a slight sense that she was deep down afraid of her mother. She could sense that I was feeling this way, and exclaimed, "I understand your thoughts that I'm afraid of my mother, and truth be told I am." Walking with us, Miranda had a sense of relief on her face, she was able to escape her abusive mother for a few hours, but then I knew when four o'clock came around, Miranda was once again caught in her mother's proverbial spider web with no escape.

That same evening, I was sitting out on the balcony with Mum and I was telling her the events that occurred this morning, and Mum exclaimed, "I'm not surprised one bit, Janine was always looking for attention and she would often have histrionics when she didn't get it, and I should know, she was in my year when we were in school. Though it is surprising because her parents were never bragging or snobbish like Janine is, they're actually rather nice people. I'd say there was ninety-eight percent of our year who wanted to tell Janine to shut up. She even had the nerve to show up to your christening uninvited, and would not stop bragging, something I will never forgive her for, that day was supposed to be all about you, and we eventually had to get a couple of people to eject her from the party afterwards. In the nineteen years since then, she has never apologised to me once, her ego is clearly too high to even contemplate apologising. Anyways, I'll cook some dinner and we can eat it out here for a change."

Hearing this, I was surprised to hear that Janine was as snobbish since her teens, not just when she became an adult. When dinner was cooked, Mum and I sat out on the balcony chatting further about my day at school and she was pleased to hear that it went without any hiccups. When we had finished, I loosened my school tie and walked back inside the house. Sitting down on the couch, Mum and I decided to watch some TV, we would always watch a series together and we would never watch ahead of each other. Placing her hand in mine, she exclaimed, "when you were younger sweetheart and we had put you to bed, your dad used to light the fire at night and we would watch a movie together over some popcorn and a glass of wine." This was a cute story to hear, and I asked Mum, "why don't you get remarried Mum?" Shaking her head, she replied, "I couldn't, losing your dad was too heartbreaking for me. You see, he and I were next door neighbours so I knew him since we were infants. We weren't attracted to each other at first, but as we grew up to be your age, it was love at first sight. We dated for about two years, and then he whisked me off to Paris and proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower. We got married six months later, and then not long after that I gave birth to you. I couldn't remarry." 

Realising I had been rather insensitive, I exclaimed, "sorry Mum." With a smile on her face she replied, "you've nothing to apologise for, sweetheart, you simply asked a question which was on your mind, that's perfectly natural." Loosening my school tie, I placed it on the back of one of the chairs in the kitchen, and then I opened the top two buttons on my shirt. I was meticulous in how I looked when I was going to school, and my principal said I was always properly dressed, I always had my buttons closed, my top button included, and my tie was always pushed up to my collar. Hearing this, it brought a smile to my face, and she told me one day that how I wore my uniform I was being a role model for the younger pupils. I was delighted to hear such praise from her, and even more delighted that I was promoting the proper dress code for my fellowship pupils. After Mum and I watched some shows on TV, and in what seemed like an instant, I looked at my phone and it was 11pm, the evening had flown by seemingly instantaneously.

Waking up the following morning, I had my shower and got dressed. Making my way down into the kitchen, I walked over to the chair my tie was on and picked it up. Mum walked over to me, exclaiming, "I'll do your tie for you Anna." It was when she said this that I noticed that she was wearing a grey skirt suit and a navy tie, I had never seen her wearing a suit and tie before, and exclaimed, "what's with the suit Mum?" While she was tying my tie, she replied, "I've been sick and tired of listening to Janine's garbage at work so I applied for a new job in town."

Looking at it up and down, I exclaimed, "it looks amazing Mum, it really does. You wear it so well, and the tie really suits you, and I know Dad would say the same if he saw you now." When she had finished tying my tie, she kissed me on the forehead and exclaimed, "Anna Mallory Blake, you have grown into a beautiful young woman and you always know what to say to inspire confidence in someone, I am always so proud of you sweetheart, and it truly makes me happy to know that you have such belief in me. I know you've gotten to know Louisa a lot better since she moved here, do you want to invite her and her mother here for dinner tonight?" Nodding I replied, "yes of course." Looking at myself in the mirror, I straightened my tie a little and then smiled with approval, as I previously mentioned, I was very meticulous in how I presented myself in school, and my teachers could see it as clear as crystal. Today was a formal occasion at school so our school blazer was mandatory, and picking up from the hangar, Mum walked over to me with it in her hand, "now, for the crème de la crème. Anna, you look very beautiful in that uniform and blazer, I'm very proud of you sweetheart, now, come on, let's get moving or else we'll be here gabbing all day, and we can't have you late for school, or me being late for my interview, I know it's not for another two hours, but I want to arrive early and prepare for it." As I made my way out into the hallway, Bolt arrived with his ball in his paws which meant he wanted me to play with him, but rubbing his head, I exclaimed, "I'll play with you later Bolt, I've to go to school." I watched as he returned to Mum's room. 

Getting into the car, Mum and I drove off to school, and we were caught in the middle of school traffic so it meant that we would be waiting for a few minutes until it thinned out a little. Eventually it did, and Mum and I resumed our course to school. When we arrived at the school, Mum put her hand in mine, and exclaimed, "I'm always so proud of you sweetheart, and I know your dad would be too. I'll see you later kiddo." Kissing me on the forehead, she straightened my tie and then I got out of the car. Watching her reverse, I smiled, I was looking forward to hearing how her interview went on when we would be having dinner this evening. With a suspicious feeling in my stomach, I knew something wasn't right, and my suspicions were confirmed when I noticed Miranda looking in my direction, and she was making a kissing gesture towards me, I knew she was mocking me. Walking over to me with her friends in tow, she smiled, she was clearly overjoyed that she had more fuel to try and get under my skin. "I didn't think you were a momma's girl Anna, I'd have believed you were better than that. Of course when she's an embarrassment in my mother's view and she's a single parent who refuses to remarry because her husband died, I would call that pathetic." I was not one to lose my temper, but this was clearly personal, and slapping her in the face, I replied, "don't you ever speak ill of my mum or my dad, he loved me to his dying day, and I strive to make him proud every day. You're nothing but vindictive and cruel, and there's no low you'll sink to in order to better yourself in front of everyone else, and you're a spoiled brat who gets everything she wants, I knew your mother feigned giving out to you that night at the party, and I knew you faked apologising to me. You were only in the Suit Workshop so that you could try on some suits and ties so that you could imagine to yourself that you would look better in a suit and tie than I would, but you knew your mother would come along and give out to you for wearing one, and that on your way home, you were making a mockery of me behind my back and were claiming that you both thought I was embarrassing in the suit."

My headmistress Ms. Rose noticed this and walked over, "what's happening here?" With a look of feigned tears in her eyes, Miranda exclaimed, "Anna slapped me in the face." Hearing this, the teacher turned to me, "is this true Anna?" Nodding reluctantly, I replied, "yes, it's true, but she was talking ill about my parents." Shaking her head, she composed herself, and exclaimed, "Miranda, you shouldn't have been insulting Anna's late father, apologise immediately. Anna, I thought a girl like you was not one for violent behaviour like this. I understand that you're sensitive about losing your dad, but I don't think he'd be too happy to see his only daughter resorting to violence in order to defend his legacy. Anna, I'm sorry to have to call your mother and ask her to come in." Hearing this, I knew I was in the proverbial doghouse. A few minutes later, Mum arrived and joined us in the headmistress's office. I was about to say something when Mum exclaimed, "Anna, not a word. You're in enough trouble as it is." Ms. Rose sat down at her desk and folded her hands together. "Carrie, I'm glad you could join us. I hear you're going for an interview this morning, best of luck with it, but anyways, let's not get distracted here. We'll get down to brass tacks." After a few minutes we had finished in Ms. Rose's office, Miranda and I were punished with after school detention, and Mum walked out with me and we sat down at a nearby table in the cafeteria which was just up the steps from Ms. Rose's office. Looking at me with a slight sense of disappointment, she exclaimed softly, "Anna, sweetheart, I know you're sensitive about losing Dad, but I can't have you slapping people just because they get under your skin about it. This is rather uncharacteristic of you Anna, you normally never resort to violence, but I can't have you resorting to it in order to preserve Dad's legacy. Now, I've to head off to my interview, I'll see you later sweetheart, I'll pick you up when you're finished detention."

When I arrived at the detention room, I noticed there were several other pupils there too. There had been a huge fight last Friday after a school sports match, and the pupils involved were all serving a week's detention. At that moment everyone stood up from their desks when Ms. Rose walked in, this was what people here did when a teacher walked in. Composing herself, she exclaimed, "you're all here to serve detention, obviously, but there are a few ground rules for those who are here for the first time. Firstly, this time will be used for studying, secondly, there is no talking, thirdly, no eating or drinking, except for water. Fourthly, you are permitted to use the bathroom one person at a time, and finally, I shall be performing uniform checks before you start, so stay standing. Each of you shall also silence and turn off your phones and hand them to me so that there'll be no room for any silly distractions while you are all here. You shall receive them once we are finished." As she was going around, I heard her say various things, "Andrea, tighten that tie young lady. Serena, head up for me, there we go, that tie looks better already. Lizzie, go get your blazer. Kelly, tighten your tie too. Natalie, close your top button. Lana, do your tie again, I do not approve of your current knot. Summer, take that gum out of your mouth." When she had finished the checks, she sat down, and spoke again, "detention shall now commence, and we shall finish at 7pm." Hearing this, I was surprised when I realised that I'd be here for three hours. Settling down at my desk, I was taking out my books to start studying, it was a little trickier to study as I was so used to studying quietly at home, the only sound I'd hear would occasionally be Mum if she was doing the hoovering or some other thing around the house, or that of Juno or Bolt scratching at the door. After what seemed like an instant, I looked at my watch, it was half five, we were already halfway through detention. My silence was then broken by Miranda who was whispering to the person next to her, and Ms. Rose instantly noticed it and exclaimed, "Really Miranda? You have served detention before, you should know the rules by now, as a result, you shall stay behind for another five minutes when detention is over, and that goes for you too Summer, you were gabbing with Miranda, plus you were chewing gum when I arrived, and gum chewing is forbidden in this school." 

Eventually detention had finished, and I made my way out to the car where I noticed Janine getting out of hers. She was wearing a navy pinstripe pantsuit, a white shirt with her top two buttons open, and a set of pearls around her neck, she looked like she was dressed for business. I watched as she walked over to me with a scowl on her face, "well, if it isn't Anna, I hope you enjoyed your detention." She then aggressively grabbed me by my tie and exclaimed, "listen you little brat, if you ever lay a hand on my daughter again, there shall be serious consequences, legal consequences. Now, let's straighten that tie again, shall we?" Mum then got out of the car when she noticed this, "Janine, take your hands off Anna this instant." Janine then let me go, and I watched as she walked away. Pushing my hair back, Mum exclaimed, "that woman is and always was trouble, and I should know, she was in my year in school, luckily though she was not in my class. Anyway, let's head home, I'll cook dinner, I know I did it yesterday too, but you must be shattered after your long day. As I mentioned earlier, sweetheart, don't let Miranda get under your skin, she's just trying to make you feel inferior, but don't believe that for a second, she may think that money buys happiness, but it does not. Anna, true happiness is not something you can pay for, it's achievable by doing something that makes you happy." I smiled, "thanks Mum, anyways let's head home, I'm ravenous." As time went by, both Louisa and I realised that we were slowly falling for each other, and eventually we decided to try a trial relationship and see how we got on, and if things went ok, we would be delighted to make our relationship serious.

A few days later, I had scheduled to meet Louisa in town for a couple of hours as we were off school due to a staff meeting. Walking along the streets, I had many people coming up to me and tell me how amazing I looked in the suits on my Instagram page. In our spare time Louisa had helped me to expand my list of followers and it had reached almost 100,000 which I was amazed at seeing as I had only set it up a couple of weeks before. Making our way down the street, we arrived at the Suit Workshop and walked in. Lily meet us at the door and exclaimed, "Anna, I cannot thank you enough, business in here is soaring since you set up and posted the pictures of you in your suits on Instagram. We've had people coming in every day to buy suits". I turned to Louisa who seemed to know what I was about to say, exclaiming, "me in a suit and tie Anna? Other than school I've never worn a tie before, and I have to get my mum to tie it for me in the mornings." Looking at her coyly, I exclaimed, "would you try it on for me Louisa?" Nodding, she replied, "sure, why not, I'll give it a go." I watched as Lily walked over to one of the shelves and returned with a light blue two piece skirt suit and a navy tie. When she returned, I handed it to Louisa, "when you're ready, I'll come in and help you with your tie."

Hi guys, I apologise for the delay in posting my latest part, I had a load of college work to finish so I didn't get the time to post the latest part of the story

Hearing Louisa exclaim, "can you give me a hand Anna?" and nodding, I replied, "sure, of course I can." Walking into the changing room, I took Louisa's tie in my hand, and proceeded to tie it while telling her how to do it, and I said I'd let her try it the next time and see how she would do. When we emerged from the changing room, I walked over to a mirror with Louisa and placed my hand on her shoulder, "you look absolutely gorgeous Louisa." With a gleam in her eye, she replied, "thanks babe." I then noticed something that piqued my suspicions, I knew something was giving me a negative aura, and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw Miranda walking outside with a group of her friends and pointing at Louisa and splitting their sides laughing. Louisa noticed this and burst into a flood of tears. Lily walked over to me, and exclaimed, "Anna, feel free to use the back if you need to." Nodding, I escorted Louisa into the back of the shop. Sitting down in a chair, she covered her face with her hands, it was clear to see that she was feeling demoralised. Taking her hand, I exclaimed softly, "Louisa, Miranda is vicious and cruel, she looks down on anyone who she thinks is inferior, you look fantastic, and I wholeheartedly mean that. Louisa, you have made me the happiest woman alive, I've never met anyone like you. You're kind, caring, and especially beautiful. You look absolutely gorgeous in that suit, let nobody tell you otherwise." Wiping her tears, I followed Louisa back into the shop. After a while had passed by and we had both tried on several suits, we settled on buying the blue skirt suit and tie for Louisa, and I bought a navy blue pinstripe skirt suit and a matching tie. 

When we had finished, Louisa and I paid for the suits and then we put them on. Walking through town again, many people stopped us to tell us how amazing we looked in the suits, and some even asked us for selfies as they recognised us from my Instagram page. In a way, I kind of felt like a celebrity, but I was not going to be cocky or egotistical, I always liked interacting with my followers and people asking me for selfies. Being quite experienced in wearing a suit and tie, it was nothing new to me, but for Louisa it was a different experience, she had only worn a suit and tie once which was the night of the party. At that moment, I noticed Miranda and her cronies passing us again, "well, if it isn't tweedle dum and tweedle dee." I knew this was not going to be a good encounter, I had that same negative aura that I had experienced earlier. "Anna, I did not think you could embarrass yourself even further, but it seems you've reached a new low, and Louisa, why do you partake in Anna's activities, you could learn so much from me. Let's be friends." I watched as Miranda extended her hand out to Louisa, who without saying a word, didn't move hers, and then exclaimed, "No thanks Miranda, I'd rather be with the woman I love, than to stick around with you and your band of misfits. You're vile and cruel, and nobody likes you, in fact they all agree that you and your mother are nothing but elite level snobs who look down on anyone you both think are inferior. Now, get out of my sight." Clearly defeated, Miranda was not going to let this go lightly, and without any hesitation, she then threw the cup of coffee in her hand at Louisa, covering Louisa's suit and tie in coffee. "my suit, and my tie, they're ruined", Miranda jokingly exclaimed. She then turned on her heel and and, in gales of laughter, walked away with her cronies in tow.

Getting into my car, Louisa changed back into her casual attire and we drove off to the dry cleaners to clean her suit. Pulling up outside the dry cleaners, we walked inside, and the woman behind the counter exclaimed, "Anna? You probably don't remember me, I'm Juliana. You were little when I saw you last so that's probably why you don't remember me. I was sorry to hear about your dad, he was always a very professional person, and he always had a smile on his face. He would often come in with his suits if they needed to be cleaned. Before he met your mum, he and I briefly dated, and we ended it on very amiable terms. When he got to know your mum, I could tell it was love at first sight, and your mum asked me to be her bridesmaid when they got married twenty two years ago, seems like only yesterday. Not a day goes by when I don't miss your dad. Anyways, that's enough gabbing, how can I help you?" Taking Louisa's coffee stained suit out of the bag, I handed it to Juliana, "can you get this out, that girl Miranda threw coffee at Louisa's suit." Looking up and down at the suit, Juliana exclaimed, "I certainly can. That Miranda is nothing but trouble, and her mother, unbearable. It'll take a while to clean the suit, so if you want to go get something to eat, I should have it done. Say hi to your mum for me." Handing her the suit, I then followed Louisa out of the shop. She was clearly downbeat about Miranda throwing coffee all over her new suit, and when we went for some food it was clear to me that there was something further wrong, and taking her hand in mine, I pushed her hair back from her face. This was not like Louisa at all, she never let things bother her, but it seemed to me that she was never more embarrassed in her entire life, and especially in a new suit, something that she had only worn once before. I did not want to say something for fear that it might upset her further, and she could almost telepathically sense this, and exclaimed, "don't worry Anna, you can say whatever is on your mind." 

Cleaning and then putting my glasses into my blazer pocket, I exclaimed, "Louisa, never let Miranda get you down, she's a bully, and she thrives on getting reactions out of people, and if you react, that is just giving her more fuel for the fire, but if you don't react, she won't have any firepower to use against you. I was in awe of how you looked in that suit, you said you only wore one for the first time that night at the party, but you made it look like you've been wearing them for years." When we finished our food, I returned to the dry cleaners to pick up Louisa's suit, and then she put it back on. Tying her tie, I felt extremely proud of her, it was clear to see that I had found the girl of my dreams. Getting back into my car, we made our way home. Walking into the kitchen, I noticed Mum sitting at the table reading her book, and when she saw me coming in, she looked up from her book and exclaimed, "this came for you in the post, sweetheart, I didn't want to open it as it was probably none of my business." Opening the letter, it was three invitations to a local museum exhibition launch tonight and dinner afterwards. Looking at them, Mum pondered for a second, "sweetheart, this is a very formal occasion, and I know you're very interested in attending, you love history and the like, so we'll have to look our very best for it. I suggest that cream skirt suit and tie." I nodded in agreement, this was a formal event and I did not want to appear too casually dressed.

Walking upstairs, I rummaged through my wardrobe, and eventually I found the suit I was looking for, hanging up in a bag. Opening the bag, I picked up the suit from the hanger, and folded it gently on my bed. I was happy in that I did not need to change my shirt, so that was one thing off my list. Picking up the skirt, I took off the pair of trousers I had, making sure to lay them tidily on the bed in place of my skirt. Next came my tie, and I had decided on a light navy tie that Mum had bought me recently. Tying it in the mirror, I decided to wear it in a double Windsor knot. I was very adamant in pushing it up to my collar, making sure that I had also closed my top button, I hated it when people wore a suit and tie and did not close their top button, I used to see it every day in school, and it was a pet peeve of mine, though I never made a fuss over it all the same. Picking up my blazer, I put it on, and looking at myself in the mirror, I smiled with pride, I was delighted in how formal and professional I looked wearing the suit and tie. Straightening my tie, I knew that I had made a massive effort to show that I was a mature young woman and that I knew what to wear in a formal situation like this. If there was one thing I would be sure of, it was that Dad would be very proud of me right now. Louisa had texted her mum if it was ok to tag along with Mum and I at the exhibition launch, and a minute later Louisa got the reply, "absolutely, go for it, Anna is your girlfriend, not some stranger, so you don't need to ask my permission to join her in anything. Hope you enjoy it, I'll see you later love." 

Making my way downstairs, I walked into the kitchen where Mum was looking out the window at something, and when she heard me come in, she turned around. "Anna, do you know the reason why Mallory is your middle name? It's because when Mallory died after I gave birth to you both, I decided that I would give you the middle name Mallory as a tribute to her. When Mallory died, I was heartbroken, and I vowed to always protect you from that day forward. I was so self-destructive for a little while so I had to check myself into the psychiatric hospital to help me recover. I left you with Vanessa for a little bit while I was recovering, she looked after you for a couple of weeks. I know Karen for longer, I knew her since primary school and she was also my bridesmaid at my wedding. That's why Karen is the name you took when you made your confirmation at the end of primary school. Karen often looked after you if I was ever away on work business. Anyways, we'd better get moving or we'll be here gabbing all evening." Turning on our alarm, and walking outside, we decided to take Mum's car. Getting in, she turned on the engine and we made our way into town. I was surprised to see town was still busy considering it was half seven on a Friday evening. As we were driving along, I noticed Miranda on the street with her cronies, and spotting me, she gave me the middle finger to which I did not even remotely react which I could see incensed her as I knew she was looking to get a reaction out of me, but I had learned my lesson from the day that I slapped her in school. From how she was dressed in casual clothes, it was clear that she and her mother had not been invited to the the exhibition launch which meant that at least for once at a formal occasion I would be able to enjoy myself without her garbage and her snobby mother regaling everyone with stories of their personal achievements which nobody cared about hearing and made them hate her even further.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a woman in a tuxedo, she was clearly someone important in the museum setup. Handing her the invitations, she exclaimed, "go down the corridor and the first room on the left." Walking down the corridor and arrived at the room where the launch was being held, and looking around the room, it was filled with people who were engaging in various different conversations. Louisa was in awe of the entire thin, and then I noticed a woman in a navy foot long dress walking towards us. "Anna, I'm delighted you are all here, I'm Serena, I'm the director of this museum and it's an honour to be launching this ceremony with a social media star present, my daughters are huge fans of your Instagram page, and they're always showing me your latest posts. Your Instagram page has taken the entire city by storm. Anyways, enough of my yammering. There are various different people here, some from abroad, others are fellow museum workers around the city, so enjoy the evening, and if you need anything let me know. There's wine and cheese, among other things." Nodding, I replied, "thank you Serena." Walking around, I was talking with various people who were asking me about different things. Mum bumped into one of her friends from work so they went off chatting together, Louisa stuck with me. She took me by the hand, and we walked out into a corridor off the main room. Facing me, she exclaimed, "thank you so much for inviting me Anna, you have made me the happiest young woman in the world, and nothing could remotely bring my confidence down when I'm with you. I just wanted to have a minute or two to ourselves before things kick off." It was clear to see that I had a radiant smile on my face, Louisa was like nobody I had ever met before, she was beautiful, she was funny, she shared some common interests, and she was eager to wear a suit and tie for me. Placing my hand on her cheek, I replied, "and I'm glad you came with me tonight." I then noticed a guy walking towards us, and exclaimed, "there you are Louisa, I was looking for you everywhere. Come on, they're about to start." Angered by this, I watched as they walked back into the room together, I couldn't believe it, Louisa was cheating on me with some guy I had never seen before. My anger levels were nearly volcanic, Louisa had stabbed me in the back and didn't have the courage to tell me she was seeing someone else. Walking back into the room, I was disgusted that the girl of my dreams was with another person.

I watched as he linked arms with her and nearly felt sick. Standing next to Mum, she exclaimed, "sweetheart, where's Louisa?" Pointing, I replied, "over there with that guy, she's been seeing him behind my back."  Pushing my hair back, Mum replied, "Anna, you're young, there's plenty of fish in the sea, you'll meet someone else." Walking over to Louisa, I exclaimed, "you lying little snake, I trusted you, and this is how you repay me? I want that suit and tie back after tonight, and our friendship is over." Glaring at me, Louisa replied, "fine, you can have your suit back." The next day at school, Miranda noticed me at my locker, and walked over to me, something told me she knew about Louisa. "My suspicions were confirmed when she exclaimed, "Anna, I heard about Louisa, and I came to offer my sympathy. You deserve a new friend, one who cares about you and will always be there for you." Extending her hand, Miranda was waiting for me to extend mine, and I replied, "thank you Miranda. I'd be delighted to be your new friend." Linking arms with me, we walked down the corridor and I could hear numerous students exclaim, "there's a new power couple in this school." Miranda smiled wickedly, she attempted to make me her new friend and had seemingly succeeded, and I was loving every moment of it. I was free of Louisa's toxic relationship, and now I had a new friend.

Confronting me later, Louisa exclaimed, "Anna, I swear, I had no idea of what happened, I was always loyal to you, I was attracted to you the moment I laid eyes on you, I had no idea that Tobias would do anything to drive a wedge between us." I was having none of it, "Louisa, you swore that you were loyal to me, but it seemed you were rather chummy with him behind my back, it's too late to attempt to apologies for it, I have a new friend now, one who cares about me." Miranda walked over to me, and taking my hand, exclaimed, "is Louisa bothering you Anna?" Nodding, I replied, "yes, actually she is." Grabbing Louisa aggressively by her tie, Miranda exclaimed, "why don't you leave Anna alone, Louisa? She is my friend now, and I will not tolerate any crap from you. Now, let's fix that tie, and be gone." Watching as Louisa turn on her heel, I linked arms with Miranda, she was so nervous to protect me. I noticed she had a bag in her hand and handed it to me. "A little present from my mother." Opening it, I noticed it was one of the blazers and ties that students got for services to the school or special achievements. "Miranda, this is one of the special blazers and ties, how did you get it." Putting it on me, she replied, "my mother is in frequent contact with the principal and she had one specially made for you. Think of it as a new friend gift." I was stunned, Miranda had made me even more important to the school, and I was delighted.

Just before school had finished, Louisa approached me, and noticing the blazer and tie, was disgusted, "it seems you have sold your soul to the devil Anna, I did not think you could sink any lower, but it's clear to see. That may be the case, but I have a little something that might just make you my friend again, let me show you something I overheard and recorded while I was in the bathroom a few days ago." The voice in the recording was Miranda's, "soon my plot to turn Anna into my friend shall be complete, soon I will have the most important student in this entire school at my beck and call like the other girls, I shall turn Louisa against her, and Tobias shall assist me in doing so." I was appalled, Miranda was not going to be my first at all, she was going to make me her servant,, she was going to make sure I would obey her without question, and she was already doing this with her group of friends. Walking down the corridor to Miranda's locker with Louisa behind me, I had full courage and confidence in confronting Miranda. Taking off the blazer and tie, I threw it in her face which made everyone stop and watch with curiosity as things were about to happen. Putting down her bag, Miranda laid the blazer down on top of it. "Anna? What are you doing? That was a present for you." Crossing my hands, I composed myself and cleaned my glasses. "You can take your present back, it seems that you were not going to make me your new friend Miranda, you were going to make me one of your servants, and I have proof of it, Louisa, care to enlighten Miranda as to what I mean ?"

I watched as Louisa took out her phone and played the recording, soon my plot to turn Anna into my friend shall be complete, soon I will have the most important student in this entire school at my beck and call like the other girls, I shall turn Louisa against her, and Tobias shall assist me in doing so." Flabbergasted, Miranda looked back at her friends who glared at her, seemingly outraged by her two faced actions. This was a clear indication that Miranda had been beaten, her friends had now turned on her as they realised that Miranda was nothing but their superior and that they were convinced to listen to her lies. Everyone else in the locker area were stunned into silence. I watched as Miranda's friends walked over and stood behind me, one of them exclaiming, "Miranda, you two faced snake, we trusted you since we started in this school and for the last five years we've had to put up with your crap. You made it seem that we were devoted friends to you, but clearly it is not the case." Miranda, with a fake look of apology in her eyes, went to speak but was lost for words. She was clearly outmatched, everyone glaring at her with venom. Turning to Louisa, I exclaimed, "Louisa, I'm sorry I treated you that way, can you ever forgive me?" Leaning towards me, and then kissing me, she replied, "that answer your question Anna?" Everyone then burst into applause. I was delighted, I had the woman I loved back. 

Later on, Louisa came over to my house for dinner, and my mum exclaimed, "I'm truly delighted for you both, you put a silly feud behind you, and now you're friends again." Little did Louisa know I had a little surprise for her, and I walked upstairs to my room to get something from my bedside table. Making my way back out onto the balcony, I faced Louisa, and got down on one knee. With happy tears in her eyes, she knew where I was going with this. Taking out a ring, I exclaimed, Louisa Andrea May, will you marry me?" Mum always said to me to live my life and wait till I found the one, but this was already the case, I knew that I had found the person I wished to spend the rest of my life with, and I was only nineteen years old. Nodding, Louisa exclaimed, "yes, I will."

A few days later Louisa and I were walking through town as we had a day off from school due to staff meetings. Town was filled with many of my fellow school students, and my mood soured a little when I noticed Miranda, she did not look remotely happy. Walking over to us, without saying a word, she suddenly punched me in the jaw which knocked me down onto the ground. "That's what you get for ruining my life, nobody talks to me at school anymore, my grades have been slipping, my mother is threatening to disown me if I don't pluck up my studies, and she got rid of most of my fancy clothes, and she has made me wear a suit and tie all the time yet Aurelia can wear what she wants. You ruined my life Anna, and now I'm going to ruin yours." 

Turning to Louisa, Miranda took off the ring that I had given Louisa, and then walked over to a drain and threw it down the sewer. "Oops, butterfingers." I could not believe it, Miranda had thrown my ring away. Looking down at my shirt, I noticed that it was covered in blood, Miranda had obviously given me a nosebleed, and my nose did not feel right. At that moment I noticed Janine walking towards us. She did not look happy either, "Miranda, what did you do to Anna? Where is her Louisa's ring? Also, where is your tie? Put on your tie this instant, and don't let me catch you improperly dressed again. Since you were born, I treated you like a princess, but it seems that it's just turned you into a spoilt and ungrateful brat. You were destined to be the heir to the company one day, but not anymore. Your cousin Tiffany shall be my new heir, she knows how to act, she acts like a mature young woman, you act like a spoilt brat. Now, let's go and get you some more ties." Turning to me, she exclaimed, "Anna, I have decided that from now on, I'm going to change my snobbish ways and be nicer to everyone, I know your mother doesn't particularly like me, and I don't blame her, I was always a pain in the teeth at work. She was a fantastic employee and I'm sad to see her go. You may think I'm talking rubbish, but it's the truth. I'd like to invite you and your mum over to my house some time during the week and we can make up for everything over the past few years." 

Noticing Louisa's ring-less finger, she turned back to Miranda with a suspicious look, "Miranda, do you know where Louisa's ring is? Fess up, where is it?" Knowing that she had to confess, Miranda replied, "it's in the sewer, I threw it down there." Janine's face nearly went crimson with anger and disgust, "what? You threw Louisa's ring down the sewer? That's the final straw, you are grounded for the summer." Facing me again, Janine exclaimed, "don't worry Anna, I know a guy who works down there, if you send me a photo of the ring I'll be able to get in contact with him and see if he can fish it up for you. If not, I shall be more than welcome to cover the price of a new one. Anyways, I'd better take Miranda home so she can start her grounding." Watching them get into the car, Miranda exclaimed, "this is so unfair!" Clearly apoplectic, Janine replied, "get in the car this instant!!"

After that altercation in the street, Janine invited my mum and I to a party at her house, and opening the door, she exclaimed, "welcome, it's great to see you both, I'm looking forward to having you over tonight. Anna, Miranda shall join us for dinner, and then shall return to her bedroom." I could smell something delicious coming from the kitchen, it was pasta. Escorting us into the kitchen, Janine walked over to Mum, exclaiming, "Carrie, I wish to apologise for how I've treated you for the past thirty two years, I was wrong to act the way I did, I completely understand if you don't forgive me straight away." I had chosen to wear my cream coloured skirt suit and a light navy tie which I decided to wear in a double Windsor knot which was my favourite tie knot. Mum had decided to wear a navy knee length dress with a pinstripe blazer over it, and a pair of heels.  Just before we sat down to eat, Miranda walked into the kitchen, she was wearing a black suit with a red tie. Looking at me, she did not say a word, and Janine glared at her, "Miranda, say hello. You shall join us for dinner, and then when you are finished, you shall return to your bedroom." Resigned, Miranda exclaimed, "hi." Janine was clearly disgusted by this, but refused to correct her. Stirring the pot, Janine exclaimed, "I hope you guys like pasta." Nodding, I replied, "yes, we love pasta, could I have mine without pepper please, I'm allergic." Janine nodded, "of course you can Anna." 

Straightening my tie, I sat down at the table next to Janine. She turned to me, "Anna, I hear you're quite the social media star these days, I was wrong if I said anything disparaging about you and your suits. You are a very well dressed young woman, and other people should follow your example. That tie for instance, I like your double Windsor knot, it makes you look very professional. You should be very proud of her Carrie. I almost forgot, Anna, I wish to apologise for putting my hands on you that evening after school, that was wrong of me, and I shouldn't have done it." As the evening progressed, Janine was enthralling us with stories of what life was like for her growing up and how her family were average run of the mill people like me, and then overnight became wealthy. This was fascinating to listen to, and prior to tonight, this would have sounded like she was bragging or being a snob, but the way she told it now did not sound remotely snobbish. I noticed Miranda was eating her food without saying a word, she was clearly embarrassed to have me over for dinner. It was at this point that Mum asked her a question to which Miranda shrugged her shoulders and answered something, but I couldn't understand what it was. Taking her by the arm, Janine grabbed Miranda and took her out into the hallway, "excuse us." We could overhear their conversation, and Janine did not sound remotely amused by Miranda's behaviour, "listen to me you spoilt brat, I am renouncing my snobbish ways, and I have invited Carrie and Anna here for dinner tonight to apologise for how I have treated them. I did not really disown Aurelia, I just pretended to so you would tow the line. Now, you shall sit there and answer properly when spoken to, do I make myself clear?" Sighing, Miranda replied, "yes." They returned a minute later and Miranda had noticed we overheard them talking. Sitting down, Janine then gave us some dessert which was a black forest gateaux cake, one of my favourites. 

After we had finished dessert, Janine sent Miranda back up to her room. We were then joined by Aurelia who had just arrived from her part time job. Looking at us in our formalwear, Aurelia exclaimed, "oh, I'm so informally dressed, I'd better go upstairs and get changed." Janine shook her head, "don't worry sweetheart." Nodding in agreement, Mum exclaimed, "don't worry Aurelia, you don't have to dress up on account of us. " Sitting down, Aurelia poured herself a glass of wine and we were chatting for a while, until Mum looked at the clock, "crikey, it's nearly eleven, we'd better start heading home Anna, you have school in the morning and we cannot have you late or tired." Walking outside, we got into the car and headed home, I was absolutely exhausted. Loosening my tie, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the evening. Janine had been very friendly and she was not afraid to discipline Miranda if needed. Unfortunately that protection did not extend to school and Miranda knew outside of her mother's watchful eye, she could bother me as much as possible.

The next day at school, I was about to take my books out of my locker when Miranda walked over to me with a scowl on her face, "do not think for one second that last night makes us friends again, I tried to be your friend, I tried to make you the poster girl for the entire school, and you just threw my present back in my face. You are the most irritating person I have ever met in my life. You wear a few suits and ties, post the pictures on your Instagram account and suddenly you're a social media sensation, before you purchased the first suit you were a nobody, the only people who knew you were the people here in the city, now you're practically famous. My dreams of being the top student in this school were crushed by you, it was embarrassing to watch you win the student of the year and school soccer player of the year award year after year, among the other accolades you won. That should have been me, but you had to ruin my chances of any success, you were determined to make sure I never won anything in school, and now you turned my friends against me. I hope you're happy Anna, but let me leave you with this." At that moment, Miranda extended out her fist and punched me in the nose which caused blood to flow down my face. Ms. Rose who was walking nearby noticed this and stormed over with a look of fury. Helping me up, she turned to Miranda, "Miranda, what have you done? You are seriously out of line, and now punching another student, go to my office right now, and wait there for me. Anna, come with me and we'll get you cleaned up." Nodding, I followed her to the nurse's room and the nurse stopped the blood. When we had finished, Ms. Rose brought me to the stockroom where they kept spare uniforms. Handing me a clean uniform, she exclaimed, "you get changed into this uniform, swing by the office and when I am finished with Miranda, I shall have your uniform cleaned by the school cleaners."

A few minutes later the nurse had patched me up and I made my way to Ms. Rose's office where Miranda was sitting down in a chair. "Ah Anna, there you are, good as new. Miranda, I am astounded by your behaviour, violence of any kind is not tolerated here. Seeing as you cannot control yourself, I have no choice but to suspend you, though you're lucky I don't have you expelled, in my twenty five years teaching, I have never come across a student like you. You are self centred, your ego is very high, you look down on those you think are inferior, and you think that violence solves all your problems. Before you even attempt to speak, silence! In fact, no, I won't have you suspended, I'll leave it to the school court and then the board of directors to choose the appropriate actions. I know that your aunt is the chairwoman and she will not be happy when I tell her what happened, and don't think you can lie, I have the entire incident on the cameras so there's no way out of it for you." 

When school was finished, Ms. Rose brought us to the school court. Turning to face us, Ms. Rose exclaimed, "time for the uniform check." Standing in front of me, Ms. Rose straightened my tie, "perfect as always Anna." After about an hour or two, we had finished, and Miranda's aunt who was the judge for the case, exclaimed, "Miranda, in light of your actions, you are suspended until the end of the school term and then you shall also be held back for another year." Miranda looked horrified, "you mean I have to repeat final year? You can't, aunt Julie, you can't." Julie, filled with anger, replied stridently, "first of all Miranda, you shall address me as Ms. Simons while you are on school grounds, and secondly, I can and I just did. You may be my niece, but you are also a spoilt brat who got everything she wanted straight away. If you were my daughter, I would have shipped you off to boarding school abroad without any second thoughts." I thought this was very harsh from Julie, but I did not say a word. Julie could seemingly sense my thoughts, and exclaimed, "Anna, you may think I'm being harsh on Miranda, but the truth is I'm an austere disciplinarian on school grounds, I have no time for any students messing, and I sent my daughter Sarah to one of the most prestigious schools in the country, but they're also known for their discipline standards, they're very strict, but I know Sarah will be one of the top students there, she's always very well behaved and they have moulded her into a woman who will have a bright future as a businesswoman." I then noticed a girl walking into the room wearing a very fancy uniform, it was a black blazer with a jumper, a white shirt, and an emerald green tie which she wore in a four in hand knot. Her black skirt matched the colour of her blazer. She stood next to Julie who straightened her tie, exclaiming, "welcome darling, hope you enjoyed your day at school." Nodding with pride, Sarah replied, "thanks mum, you always like me wearing my tie properly unlike the students in this dump. Our teachers would be embarrassed by the lax uniform code here. Yes, it was a fantastic day." Considering she was so well dressed, I was kind of in awe of her. When the case had finished, Miranda's sentence was confirmed, and she had to repeat the year. Spotting me, Sarah walked over to me, "You must be the famous Anna, my friends and I are huge fans of your Instagram page. Your suits are absolutely stunning." Cleaning my glasses, I replied, "thanks Sarah, it's always nice to meet my fans."

I watched as Julie walked over to me, and exclaimed, "Sarah tells me you're quite the celebrity, Anna, it's an honour to meet you in person. I'm sorry about Miranda, she was always trouble even when she was younger. You would have been a fantastic student at Sarah's school, and from what I hear, you're also quite the academic. I met your aunt Sandra a couple of days ago, she works alongside me on the board of directors, and she told me you're looking at becoming a businesswoman. Sarah shall be attending Riviera College in September, I have some friends there, and they would be delighted to meet with you and tell you about their courses. Of course talk to your mum and get back to me on it." That evening, Mum and I discussed it and she was very welcome for me to go, though she requested I wear one of my suits and ties to show them I made an effort to look the part for the meeting.

I went to the meeting a few days later and it went without any trouble, they were enthralled by my academic prowess and were delighted to offer me a place in the 2022/23 class. However, as good as this sounded, things were not completely rosy, Louisa and I had experienced newfound tension in our relationship, and it meant that I had begun to have second thoughts about proposing to her that night. We did not know what to do, but I did not want to break up with her, though it seemed like each passing day it was becoming more likely that we would have to. It seemed to me that she wanted to play the market and meet other people and have a relationship with them. It all came to boiling point one day when she visited the house. Sitting out on the balcony, she sat down on the deckchair, I could see the reluctance in her eyes, but she knew it had to happen. Taking my hand in hers, she exclaimed, "Anna, I'm sorry but our relationship is too difficult, there's been nothing but tension between us lately, and you're a lovely person, but I think it's time we broke up, here's your ring back, I'm sure you'll find someone else." Disgusted by this, I replied, "really? After everything I did for you, this is how you thank me? I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, and now you're breaking up with me?" I was in tears at this, but I was not sure if it was angry tears or sad tears. Clearly at boiling point, I exclaimed, "get out now! It'll take a long time for you to earn my respect again, I hate you!" With outrage on her face, Louisa walked out of the balcony, back through the kitchen and out the front door without saying a word or looking back up at me on the balcony. Running upstairs, I closed my bedroom door and started crying into my pillow. The best relationship of my life was over. A few minutes later, Mum came up to me, and sitting down next to me, she exclaimed, "sweetheart, you'll find someone new, you're young and beautiful, trust me, there'll be someone else out there, plenty of fish in the sea." She wiped my tears which made me smile, I was always so grateful for her generosity.

For several days I was moping around the house when I got home from school, and Mum could see that the breakup was clearly still hurting me. Sitting out on the balcony, I watched as the world went by, mine was hell compared to most, I had lost the love of my life and it felt like the ground would open up and swallow me whole. At that moment I heard the doorbell ring, and walked out to answer it, I was surprised to see Sarah standing in the doorway. Mum came out, exclaiming, "I invited Sarah to come over and give you some company, help take your mind off Louisa." Escorting Sarah out onto the balcony, we sat downstairs in the deckchairs. Mum brought us each a glass of wine, and sipping it, Sarah looked at me with compassion, "Anna, I'm sorry to hear about your breakup, it was disgusting of Louisa to do that. You spent so much time with her, and then she just threw you aside. If I was your girlfriend, I would be there for you every day, and I would only want the very best for you. It's ok if you don't want to go out with me, it's your choice and I'll respect it." My eyes lit up, this was potentially the beginning of a new relationship, and especially one that I could use to show Louisa what she was giving up.  Before I made my decision, I took Sarah by the hand and brought her upstairs into my bedroom. Escorting Sarah into my dressing room, I exclaimed, "let's try on a suit, Sarah, let's see how you look." Slightly nervous, Sarah replied, "I don't know, Anna, are you sure I can wear one? I've never worn a suit before, or a tie outside of school grounds. I don't think I'd look good in one." Placing a tie around her shoulders, I replied, "think of it as a uniform outside of school." Still slightly nervous, Sarah nodded, "ok, I'll give it a try and see how it looks." I watched as she took the navy trousers, navy tie, and light blue blazer from me and walked into my bathroom to get changed. A minute later, Sarah returned from the bathroom, and looking at the suit up and down, I was in awe of how she looked in it. Walking over to her, I followed her to my mirror, placing my hands on her left shoulder, and looking at her reflection, I exclaimed, "you look gorgeous Sarah, it's totally you, and yes, I shall go out with you. I'll just get changed myself and we can go and do something in town." Five minutes later, I had changed into my cream coloured skirt suit and light navy tie which I decided to wear in a double Windsor knot. When I told Mum we were going to town for a while, she exclaimed, "ok sweetheart, I'll start making the dinner while you two are in town. Sarah, I spoke to your mum and she said you can certainly stay for dinner." Sarah smiled, "thanks Ms. Blake." Slightly embarrassed, Mum replied, "you can call me Carrie, don't worry about the formalities whatsoever."

Arriving in town, many people stopped me to take selfies with them and ask for autographs which I was always delighted to do. It was then that I spotted Louisa walking in my direction, though I don't think it was to talk to me personally. Stopping, she noticed Sarah and I holding hands and exclaimed, "well Anna, it seems you got back up on the horse quickly enough, I thought it would take you some time before you got back into a relationship." Not even remotely fazed by this, I replied, "no, after you broke my heart, I knew it was time to find a new relationship and Sarah here is just the one for me, she knows how to treat me properly, and she did not betray me like you did. In fact, I think you remember her suit, it was the one I bought for you." Sarah, straightening her tie, exclaimed, "so, you're the famous Louisa? You're despicable, Anna promised you her future, and you just spit it back in her face. " Louisa shrugged this off, "oh well, them's the breaks I suppose. Now, if you two losers will excuse me, I have a life to live and neither of you are a part of it. Sarah, I hope you enjoy your time with Anna, I know she'll just discard you like a used tissue when she feels like it. Anna, I'm delighted we broke up, now I'm free from our toxic relationship and all the tension. Now, as I said, I'm a busy woman so if you two shall both excuse me." Watching as she walked away, Sarah turned to me, "is that true Anna?" Shaking my head, I replied, "not at all, she's just got a case of sour grapes after how our relationship ended." Disgusted that my trip to town was already spoiled by Louisa, I wandered around with Sarah, and we did some shopping. I brought her into the Suit Workshop and she tried on various different suits, some with a tie and others without a tie, and they all looked fantastic. I could see that Sarah was slowly getting more and more enamoured with the idea of wearing a suit and tie. We were then joined by Kiki who was a school friend of Sarah. Kiki was a little more opposed to wearing a tie, but she looked fantastic in her suits regardless.

A couple of weeks later I had finished my final exams of secondary school and I wished to start a part time job so that I could raise some money before college. I had decided to apply for a nearby hotel that was a five minute walk from my house. Over the next couple of days I was in frequent contact with the manager and she had scheduled an interview with me. After I had my shower, I walked into my dressing room and looked at the various different clothes hanging up on the rack, I knew that I had to dress appropriately for my interview, I was not going to appear to a formal interview in a jeans and t-shirt. Getting ready, I put my tie on and tied it in a double Windsor knot. Applying my lipstick in the mirror, I was proud of how I looked. When I went downstairs and into the kitchen I could smell the smell of cooked breakfast, and Mum walked over to me, straightened my tie, and exclaimed, "I'm incredibly proud of you sweetheart, you are on your way to becoming a professional person in a professional job. I'm sorry, I have a tear of pride in my eye, sweetheart it only seems like yesterday that I was bringing you home from the hospital as nothing but a little bundle of joy in my arms, now you're a beautiful young woman standing here before my eyes. Anyways, I'll let you eat and I'll see you later kiddo." Kissing me on head, Mum walked out of the room. Five minutes later I was ready to go, this was it, the beginning of my summer work. Picking up my handbag, I walked out into the hallway and looked at myself in the mirror one last time, I felt on top of the world, you couldn't have shattered my confidence with anything. Opening the front door, I took a deep breath, I was ready to tackle any and all challenges in my path. Making my way to the hotel, I noticed that town was rather busy for a Monday morning, but then again schools were finished for the summer. It was then that I noticed Miranda and some new friends of hers walking in my direction, but I don't know if she wanted to talk to me as such. My suspicions were confirmed when she walked past me with saying a word which was odd because normally she would be very criticising of my suits. I could hear her group laughing at something and I had a gut feeling that it was something to do with me and my suit. 

Brushing it off, I arrived at the hotel where I was met by a young woman who at a guess was no more than thirty. Walked over to me, she extended her hand to me, "you must be Anna, it's a great pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh. I'm Megan, I'm the manager of this hotel, it'll be glad to add some youth around here, and while you're working here, you'll be working at the front desk for starters, and if you do well you shall be promoted. You shall be under Carole's jurisdiction, she is very friendly and she's always delighted to help anyone, if I was to sum her up in one word, I think bubbly is the word I'd use. Now, one more thing, we are a very important hotel and we implement a hotel dress code which must be obeyed at all times. We also have an official hotel suit, your suit will do for today, but when you leave here this evening, I shall give you a couple of pairs of the hotel uniform for future wear." Megan was wearing a black skirt suit and a red tie adorned with the name of the hotel on it which I thought was a classy touch, and suspended from her ears were a gorgeous pair of drop earrings. Megan's suit was the hotel suit and she obviously had an important tie on which was different to everyone else's, this was a tie that signified that she was the manager of the hotel. Following her to the front desk, Megan exclaimed, "Carole, this is Anna, she's starting here today, would you kindly show her the ropes?" Nodding, Carole replied, "of course Megan. It's a pleasure to meet you Anna, it's great to have another young person around here, besides Megan and I, it's mostly older staff who are employed here." It was then that I noticed a woman walking into the lobby wearing a long fur coat that extended to the floor, and a black tuxedo and black bow tie. She looked absolutely gorgeous, and she was followed by numerous paparazzis wanting to get photos of her. She was accompanied by a young girl who I assumed was her daughter who was wearing a black skirt suit with a black and white striped shirt and a dark navy tie which she wore in a Windsor knot. She looked like a supermodel and I gulped slightly when I noticed them walking to the front desk. Handing me her fur coat, she exclaimed, "be a darling and find somewhere to hang that up for me, and you can stop your staring, it creeps me out." Watching as she turned on her heel, Carole exclaimed, "I see you've met Andrea Morales, she's the head of Morales Inc., and that's her daughter Sasha with her. Andrea isn't exactly the friendly type, she takes her work very seriously. She made millions off of the stock market practically overnight and everyone is in awe of her as she started out poor. Her rags to riches story is fascinating. She treats Sasha like a queen." I watched as she loosened and then retied Sasha's tie, exclaiming, "head up for me love, and your collar. There we are, all properly dressed for mummy, a perfect tie for my perfect girl." Watching this, I thought it was pathetic and I nearly felt nauseous, it was like Miranda but about ten times more pathetic.

I could not believe that there was someone more pathetic than Miranda, but I had witnessed it before my very eyes. Carole noticed my reaction, "I figured you would react that way Anna, and truth be told, I would agree with you. Sasha is nothing but a spoilt brat who gets anything and everything she wants when she wants it, and when she doesn't she throws a temper tantrum until her mother relents and gives in to her requests, and believe me, I know. They're my next door neighbours so I often overhear of it, Andrea is oblivious to the fact that everyone thinks she's a total snob who looks down on others who she claims is not in her social standing, but everyone knows that she came from an average run of the mill family." Nodding, I replied, "sounds like a girl I was in school with." A couple of hours later I was walking down the corridor when Sasha happened to pass by. Stretching out her hand, Sasha stopped me. Sighing silently, I was faking being happy, but in reality I nearly felt nauseous. I did not want to talk to her, but being my usual cheery self I resigned myself to it. "You must be the famous Anna, I've seen you promote the suits from the Suit Workshop, my friends Leah and Anya speak highly of your suits. You're quite the celebrity. My mother is hosting a book launch here tonight, and I would like it if you would be my guest. I've already spoken with your boss and she said it's ok." When I had finished, I resumed walking down the corridor, sighing, I was now in a situation I did not want to be in. A couple of hours later, I was finished work and I was not looking forward to spending the evening with Sasha because she was more of a spoilt brat ten times more than Miranda. Changing back into my regular suit, I reluctantly made my way upstairs to where the launch was being held. Spotting me, Sasha exclaimed, "Anna! Welcome to the launch, come and meet my mother." Walking along the room, I followed Sasha to meet her mother who turned around, "hello there Anna, I've heard great things about you from various people, you've taken social media by storm. Come around me, there's a few people I want you to meet." Over the next hour I had met nearly everyone in the room, and then Sasha came over to me and exclaimed, "there's one last person I want you to meet." With a stunned look on my face, I watched Sasha link arms with me, she was acting like she was like my girlfriend all of a sudden even though I was dating Sarah.

We walked over to a woman, Sasha exclaiming, "Angela, this is Anna, the famous girl with the suits and a lot of Instagram followers." Shaking hands, she replied, "it's a pleasure to meet you Anna, Sasha tell me you are very famous." Chuckling slightly, I replied, "I wouldn't say a lot." Shaking her head, Sasha looked at me, "you have numerous fans Anna, you're much too modest." I did not know whether to be appreciative or embarrassed by this, but for the sake of my being there, I had to play along and pretend to be more confident in front of Angela. I was never one to brag about my triumphs, something I thought was rather rude. My mum had taught me that when I started school and I was going to stick to that principle. I was always modest about my achievements and if I mentioned them once to someone, I never went out of my way to emphasise how well I may have done in the situations. This was in high contrast to Miranda who would raise the ire of everyone at school who were on the verge of giving her a punch to get her to shut up and that nobody cared about her gloating

Suddenly, I noticed something was not right and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw Sarah walking towards me with a look of ire on her face, "so, this is what you've been up to all evening Anna, I thought you said you came here to work but it seems like the work you've done is to find someone new to replace me. I comforted you when Louisa broke your heart, and this is the thanks I get? You are pathetic, you don't care about a meaningful relationship, you just date a girl and then discard her like a used tissue. Spare me your explanations and be happy with this girl here, see if I care. You are nothing but a lying deceptive bitch and you use anyone and everyone to fulfil your selfish aspirations. I trusted you and now you're after betraying me. Do yourself a favour and take a look at your reflection in the mirror, then you shall find the lying deceptive bitch that you are." Opening my blazer, I put it down on a nearby chair and aggressively took hold of Sarah, "don't ever call me a bitch." Without thinking, I then threw a punch at her and we started brawling. I then heard a voice yell, "Anna!!!!! Anna stop this right now!" Looking up to see who it was, I was horrified to see that it was my mum and Megan. I knew that I was in the doghouse now with no way out. Scarlet with embarrassment, Andrea walked over to me, "you ruined my book launch Anna, never in my life have I had someone embarrass me this way." Mum then aggressively grabbed me and walked down the corridor with me until we knew we were in a private location. Pinning me against one of the walls, she exclaimed furiously, "Anna Mallory Blake! I have never been more disgusted by your actions in my life, you came here to find a summer job, not get into fights with people. I very rarely discipline you, but I think this warrants it. In light of your actions, you are grounded for a month and you shall be at home at all times. You are banned from buying any new suits until then, I'm confiscating your current ones and I am suspending your allowance. Don't even speak a word, you're in enough trouble as it is, so if you say anything I shall not hesitate to extend your grounding."

I could not believe what I was hearing, but when I got home I walked upstairs and into my room. Mum followed me up and had a small box in her hand, "as a further punishment, I am banning your phone, you're banned from watching tv, I'm banning you from anything that gives you any entertainment and your friends are not allowed to come to visit." Reluctantly, I handed her my phone and tablet. I could feel tears in my eyes, and then I did start crying, to which Mum exclaimed, "it's too late for the tears and sympathy Anna, you lost my sympathy when you got home after your fight. Megan phoned me earlier and told me that she has banned you from coming into the hotel for a year. Now, sit down and think about your actions." Without thinking, I could feel my anger levels increasing and then I yelled, "I hate you!!" Shaking this off, Mum replied, "that's another week added on. That's five weeks grounded, I'd be careful not to make it six if I were you." Watching her then walk out of the room, I then slammed the door loudly, and then Mum walking down the stairs exclaimed, "that's another week added on too." This was so unfair!

Six weeks later when I was finished being grounded, Mum gave me everything back and we reconciled with each other. When she gave me my phone back, I checked my Instagram account to see my list of followers and to my horror I noticed it had plummeted significantly. I was nowhere near the amount of followers I had before I had been grounded. It was only when I was flicking through the other posts on Instagram that I noticed a new account I had never seen before called Sarah's Suits. I had to see for myself if this was the same Sarah, and my thoughts were confirmed when I saw a picture of her in a cream coloured skirt suit and a light navy tie that was posted yesterday. Putting on one of my suits, I drove off into town and as I was walking along the streets I saw people snickering at me, my social media presence was gone, I was no longer the celebrity I was before I was grounded. A woman walked past me, "you look embarrassing in that suit, Sarah is the new suit and tie queen around here. I wonder who you're going to pick a fight with next." Nobody stopped for autographs or selfies, it was like I was a completely different person to them. It was at that moment I noticed Sarah walking towards me with her friend Leticia in tow. Sarah was wearing a black skirt suit with a white and black striped shirt and a dark navy tie which she was wearing in a Windsor knot. "Well, if it isn't my old friend Anna. This is Leticia, we met a few weeks ago. I think you recognise this suit, it's the one you bought me for my birthday, and Leticia is wearing the tie you gave me. Of course I've also just recovered from a broken nose after the punch you gave me, do you know how tricky things were with a broken nose? No, I didn't think so." Leticia looked at me with a smirk on her face, "face the facts Anna, you're not the suit and tie celebrity around here anymore, you tarnished your reputation when you started that fight in the hotel, I heard about it from Megan who is my older sister, our family owns the hotel and it means that Sarah and I are now what they call a power couple." Several people passed Sarah and Leticia exclaiming, "love the suits girls. Anna, you're just an embarrassment in your suit, go home and put on some casual clothes and leave the suits to someone professional and mature like Sarah and Leticia." I couldn't believe it, I was no longer the social media presence that I was before, someone else had taken the reins.

This must have been a bad dream, a nightmare. I was always nice to my fans, I was always taking photos with them and signing autographs, and now it felt like I was in a whole different world altogether. As I was walking back to my car, I noticed people hissing at me and spitting on the pavement clearly directed towards me. "Traitor, brat" were just some of the names thrown at me among others. Getting into the car, I drove home. Running upstairs, I ran onto my bed and started screaming and burst out into tears. Hearing me from downstairs, Mum ran up and into my room, "sweetheart, what's the matter?" Still crying, I replied, "everyone hates me, everyone. Nobody would stop to take selfies or ask for autographs or anything, they spat at me and called me names like a traitor and a brat." Putting her arm around me, Mum placed her head on mine, "Anna, sweetheart, I understand that people are like that towards you, but give it time and they'll forgive you. It was not a pretty sight to watch you fighting with Sarah, but you've learned from your mistakes." Wiping my tears, I replied, "Mum, a woman said I looked embarrassing in my suit, and that Sarah was the new suit and tie queen around here now.  People used to love me, and now they don't want to be in the same room as me." At that moment I heard the doorbell ring, and making my way downstairs, I wondered who it could be. Opening the door, I had a glare on my face when I saw that it was Sarah. "Come to gloat further Sarah? Come to tell me I'm nothing but a complete and total fraud and how nobody likes me anymore? If that's why you are here you might as well piss off and stop wasting my time."

Shaking her head, Sarah replied, "no, I haven't actually, your mum invited me over to talk to you. Anna, I want to apologise for how I treated you, I will admit that what you did was out of line, but I took advantage of it to better myself, I understand if it will take time to forgive me. I'm not here to pretend that I'm looking to apologise, I genuinely am apologising. It was my fault you lost all your Instagram followers and they jumped ship to my page. I look at myself in the mirror and I think that what I did was horrible, it was my fault that fight started. I should have listened to you, I genuinely am sorry for abandoning you the way I did. I want the woman of my dreams back, I'm not sleeping as well, I've been off my food, everything, and I want you back." Pondering, I replied, "what about Leticia? The two of you seemed rather chummy earlier." Wiping her eye, Sarah replied, "Leticia is a friend from school, we're not in a relationship whatsoever. Anna, I really want you back and I understand if it will take you time to forgive me."

Thinking for a moment, I got up off my bed and moved the magazines I was reading over onto my study desk. Sitting back down on my bed, I exhaled, making sure that my glasses were clean. "Sarah, I've thought about it, I shall accept your apology, but it will take me time to fully forgive you for your actions. My only request is that we both delete our separate Instagram accounts and we make a joint account for promoting the suits and ties." Shaking my hand, Sarah exclaimed, "time we got you back to the top of the mountain Anna, time to give rebirth to your legacy around the city." Over the next few hours Sarah and I had set up a new Instagram account which we called the SuitWearers7, 7 being our lucky number. As we made our initial posts the comments were flooding in on how well we looked in the suits. Walking through town the following day, I had several people approach me to offer their apologies. I knew I had the love of the city back, I knew I had turned over a new slate.  Sarah had one important stop to make, and arriving at the hotel Megan worked at, we made our way into the lobby where Megan was making a phone call. Noticing us, she put the phone down and marched over to us with a scowl on her face, "Anna, what are you doing here? I thoroughly recall that I banned you from coming here for a year." Interjecting, Sarah replied, "Anna is turning a new leaf and she has come to apologise for her actions." Over the next few minutes Megan and I patched things over and she lifted my suspension. As we were talking several people came over to say hello and ask for selfies which I was glad to do. It was at moment I spotted Andrea and Sasha staring at me with a venomous look in their eyes. I knew this encounter was not going to be a friendly one, but I had to grin and bare it. "Well well well, if it isn't Anna, come to embarrass me again have you? You made a mockery of my book launch, I was never more embarrassed in my entire lifetime. Sasha, you were there, she made a mockery of me, didn't she?" Watching as Sasha opened the top button of her shirt, I was stunned to see a beautiful set of pearls around her neck. Catching my stunned reaction, Sasha exclaimed, "want to stare at my pearls any further Anna? They were a gift from Mummy, she always buys me whatever I want when I want it, isn't that right Mummy?" Nodding, Andrea replied, "of course my darling, anything for my beautiful daughter. I bet your mother doesn't buy you anything like that Anna, but then again she's not in my league, she's a nobody in a normal everyday job, not like me making millions upon millions with just the press of a button. I would do anything to keep my darling Sasha happy."


I was nearly sick to my stomach of hearing this, Sasha was like Miranda, except that Sasha was more nauseating than my former school rival ever was. Sasha and her mother were total snobs and they were very proud of it.

Sick to the teeth of Sasha's gloating, Sarah and I walked into the hotel bar and found two seats. One of the waitresses walked over to us, she was wearing a black blazer, white shirt with an emerald green tie in a double Windsor knot, a skirt, black stockings and a pair of black pumps. "Hello, I'm Dorothy, I'll be your waitress. Now, what can I get you two ladies?" Handing me a menu, she watched as Sarah and I examined it. "I'll have the burger special with a side of fries? Sarah?" Sarah looked at the menu, and then exclaimed, "sounds good, I'll have that too. Also, could we get two coffees? Just a small drop of milk in both, and no sugar." Nodding, Dorothy exclaimed, "certainly ladies, I'll get that for you both." While we were waiting for our food, Sarah and I were engaged in a stimulating conversation about what suits and ties we would wear in our next photos. I wanted to try something quirky, but it was just the case of finding something. Straightening my tie, I looked around the room, there were various people in different conversations, some were chatting about fiscal issues, others about the weekend weather, among other things. A minute later Dorothy returned with our coffees in her hands, "your coffee ladies, and your food shall be here in a couple of minutes. If you need anything just let me know." 

Returning to our conversation, Sarah and I were chatting further about ties. I had found someone who loved the idea of wearing a suit and tie like I did. Leticia did like it, but not to the same opinion as Sarah. A minute later our food arrived, and the smell of it was absolutely fantastic. The hotel burgers were always very good quality, of course the food quality was stellar anyways. Taking a bite of my burger, I then looked anxiously at Sarah, and then I knew something was not right. I was unable to speak a word, and Sarah could see that this was the case. I then started coughing, and Sarah was starting to get very nervous. She knew at that moment that I was in distress. "She's choking, quick, someone give her the Heimlich manoeuvre." Everyone looked up from their meals, and I then felt someone take me around my waist.

A minute later I had ceased choking. With a look of despair on her face, Dorothy walked over to us, "we're so sorry, we put a little bit of pepper into the burger, and we never asked about any allergies. We must make it up to you, any way you wish." After discussing it for a moment, Dorothy exclaimed, "we'll give you an apology dinner the next time you are in this hotel, completely free of charge. It's the least we could do for you." When we had finished, I started to make my way home. It was almost 11pm and I could feel myself getting tired. At that moment I felt something was giving me a negative aura, something was wrong. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw a man walking towards me. This did not seem strange at first, but I then shuddered in fear. He was holding a knife in his left hand, "give me your handbag." Resuming my walk, I then felt him pulling me back. Trying my hardest to get away from him, I screamed loudly, "help me!! Someone help me please!!" It was then that I saw Mum and the police sprinting towards us, Mum had obviously heard me screaming from the house. The police stood facing my assailant, "put the handbag down and step away from the girl." Reluctantly, he sighed and moved away from me. He was then about to make his way in the opposite direction when two guards came from the the same direction so it meant he was caught in the proverbial crossfire.

Watching as they took the man away, Mum ran over to me and hugged me. With tears in her eyes, Mum exclaimed, "Anna, sweetheart, I'm so glad you're ok. Sweetie, if anything had happened to you." While she was hugging me, I started crying, it was a horrible thing that had just happened. One of the police officers picked up the knife and put it in one of those evidence bags they use. I was the only immediate family that my mum had left, Dad had died, and my sister did not survive birth. I knew that she would be heartbroken if anything had happened to me. Getting home eventually, Mum and I sat down in the living room, and I then broke down crying again. Comforting me, Mum exclaimed, "it's ok Anna, you're safe now. You were right to scream, I wouldn't have known anything. Anna, you are my only daughter and my only immediate family. Your safety and well-being are the most important thing to me. You have grown into a very beautiful young woman, and I am proud of you every single day, and always remember that. When your sister died, I vowed to take care of you more than ever, being a single parent is not an easy thing to do, but I will always look out for you." Hugging her, I replied, "thanks Mum." Kissing me on my forehead, she replied, "you're welcome love."

A few days later, Mum and I were having coffee in town when we saw a guy looking at Mum. He clearly thought she was hot, and I could sense it. "Mum, that guy is totally checking you out. Go over and say hello to him." Slightly nervous, she replied, "sweetheart, I don't know, what if he turns out to be a total jackass." Taking her hand, I replied, "you never know until you try Mum." She was still nervous, but eventually she got up from her seat and walked over to him. Sipping my coffee, I watched as they got chatting. As I was watching they were clearly enjoying each other's company. A few minutes later I had finished my coffee and Mum returned to the table. She had a radiant smile on her face, this was a more radiant smile than I had ever seen before. "Well? How was it, Mum?" Sitting down at the table, she replied, "he asked me out for dinner tonight. Do you want to come with me?" Shaking my head, I replied, "no thanks Mum, this is your moment, you haven't had a date since Dad died, you're doing this one solo." Accepting my decision, we paid for the coffee and started to make our way home. On the way home Mum asked me about what to do on the date as she was clearly inexperienced from being married for so long. 

When we arrived home, I took Mum upstairs into her bedroom, I was determined to make sure she looked the part for her date. We spent the bulk of an hour and a half deciding what she would wear, and eventually she settled on an emerald green knee length dress that she had bought once in Italy. Applying her makeup, I smiled, "you look gorgeous Mum, you really do. I'll drive you, that way you can have a drink and enjoy yourself." Tightening the clasp of her necklace, I looked at Mum in the mirror, she looked like a supermodel. Picking up my car keys, I walked outside to the car with Mum where we were greeted by Catherine who was one of our neighbours. "Hello Carrie, my, who are you all beautifully gussied up for? You're going on a date with someone, aren't you? Well, I hope you enjoy it, you deserve to be happy." 

Getting into the car, we then pulled out of our driveway and made our way down the road. As we approached the city, we noticed that the guards had pulled up on the side of the road. Two cars had seemingly crashed into each other, one car was quite damaged, the other was slightly dented. Rolling down the window, I noticed one of them walking towards us. "Apologies for any inconvenience ladies, drink driver. You'll have to take the other road." This was not a problem anyways because the other road was about the same distance.

Pulling up to the restaurant, I noticed Mum was slightly anxious. Placing my hand in hers, I exclaimed, "it's natural to be nervous Mum, but just see how it goes and try and enjoy yourself." Getting out of the car, Mum introduced me to her date Andrea, he was half-Italian on his mother's side of the family. ""So this is the famous Anna, I've heard a lot about you from your mother, Anna, it's very nice to meet you." Shaking hands, I said that it was nice meeting him too. Getting into the car, I drove off to do my own thing while Mum was at her dinner date. About an hour and a half later my phone rang and looking at the caller I.D. I noticed it was Mum. "Hi sweetheart, we're finished whenever you want to come and collect me." 

A few minutes later I pulled up outside the restaurant and watched as Mum finished her conversation with Andrea, and then got into the car. Giving her the 'how was it eyes', she exclaimed, "it was a lovely dinner date Anna, and he's asked me to do it again soon. He has two daughters and a son who are all about the same age as you. One of his daughters lives in Atlanta in the US, and his other two children live here with him. He's a widower so he's been looking to find someone to help fill the gap. I told him I was a widow, and that you were my only child. The meal was very nice, and we chatted the whole time." Mum was clearly elated that her date had been so successful, she was almost giggling playfully. I had never seen her so happy, and I was determined to make sure she was always happy, it was my duty as a daughter.