Drawn to the vibrant and somewhat outrageous outfits in the window display, Spencer decided to step into a rather hip looking boutique. One of which Spencer couldn’t help being mesmerized by the outfits of the customers who entered it. The design of the store itself had a free spirited and spontaneous feel. The wardrobe being sold was nothing like the plain and very reserved clothing that hung in her closet. She began to ascend the staircase, wondering if the store sold some of the Sweet Sensation Strawberry lipgloss or a close substitute, which she had run out of.

Spencer spotted a small table covered in mint green paint situated near the dressing rooms. Placed on top were wooden bowls filled with a variety of jewelry like different colored bangles and an assortment of dangling earrings. She also noticed a plastic box that was overflowing with different kinds of makeup. A lot of the accessories seemed spewed all over the table, evident that many hands had come into contact with them. Possessing a neat persona, such a sight would normally disgust Spencer, but there was something about the messy setup that appealed to her. Leaning in closer, she peered into the container and pulled out a Smuckers lipgloss. There was something about the faux Strawberry Shortcake looking character on the label that made Spencer surprisingly cringe at the thought of buying it. Perhaps it was the fact that her old lipgloss had a similar looking design. Glancing back at the box, and eager to check out the garments, Spencer began to walk away giving into the sickeningly sweet image product.

“I wouldn’t buy that if I were you,” said a voice that appeared to be out of nowhere.

Spencer took a step backward, noticing a rack of sunglasses located to the side of the mint green table. Standing to the left of the rack was a brunette dressed in what looked like the same outfit as one of the mannequins in the display window of the store. She was trying on sunglasses in front of the mirror, and had selected a pair with rather large lenses.

“Uh, was that you?” Spencer spoke finally after the embarrassing realization that she had been staring at the girl for almost a minute.

The brunette turned slightly, allowing Spencer a glimpse of her profile. The mysterious critic had lustrous and full looking lips which coupled perfectly with her long and bold lashes that sat atop a captivating gaze.

“Yeah, trust me. The flavor’s awful,” the stranger said turning around to face Spencer.

She walked over to the table Spencer had been awkwardly standing at an odd angle in front of, because she hadn’t changed position, since the voice first caught her off guard. The brunette plucked a pink tube from a box that Spencer hadn’t noticed, and handed it to her. The product contained no sign of friendly looking characters, just simply the words Lip Venom in capital silver letters. Spencer turned the product between her fingertips, and observed how the shiny letters was accented as she rotated the tube.

The brunette watched, noting the amused expression on Spencer’s face, presuming Spencer was a tourist.  

“If you’re looking for something different, I think that’ll satisfy you,” the bronze skinned girl lamented before she headed toward the dressing rooms.   

Spencer meekly thanked the girl an inaudible whisper and with a degree of uncertainty decided to try out the gloss.

Intrigued by the scenario, “a new flavor could be good,” Spencer thought to herself.

tbc