#c: hazel st. james w. constance marlowe 001

[dxrkenedheights]

where: the looking glass boutique with: hazel st. james and constance marlow @blackheartatl

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Of course the invitation to the DuPont fundraiser meant Connie would call upon Hazel for a shopping trip. It wasn't exactly a familial bond they shared but it was...something. In many ways, Hazel felt sorry for Constance. Hired to raise two broken teens that didn't need much raising, and also endure the backstabbing world of Brookwood Hills at the same time. Connie tried with all her might to bond with the only other girl in her vicinity but Hazel wasn't at all similar. Even now, browsing through rows of dresses she had a frown on her face which only changed into an awkward smile when her eyes met with Connie's. "Find anything?" she asked, pulling the first dress that seemed appropriate from the hanger just so she seemed engaged. "Is orange too bold?" she laughed, holding it against her. "I do have the nice Chanel dress you gave me, that I wore to one of these things before. I haven't gotten around to..." she paused because she was about to admit that she donated most things. "Taking...selfies in...yet."

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

"Umm, I guess not." Hazel shrugged sweetly about the orange dress, sliding it back on the rail and mumbling to herself, "I'd say yes to anything if it got me out of here faster." she hoped Connie wouldn't hear it. The two weren't exactly close but they weren't distant either. Hazel firmly believed it was too little too late for anybody to try and play family with her and Noah. They were teens when they arrived in Atlanta and all to aware of the loss of their parents and grandmother. When Connie read her mind, Hazel forced another smile but felt terrible for ruining a day that clearly the older woman wanted to spend with her. "No, no. I don't hate it. Hate's a strong word." Hazel nodded sheepishly. "I just...well." she gestured around at the pretty dresses. "Every girl loves a pretty dress and an excuse to wear one but...I just don't see the point if it's for one evening. That's all. Maybe I should just help you pick one?"

She wanted to do a big bulk order of luxury dresses and have a day of champagne and a mini-fashion show with Hazel, but Connie found herself in the Brookwood boutique instead. It wasn't the worst place for fashion but still not as grand as Connie had become accustomed to. Back in her Center Hill days she would've thought Hazel was a sweet girl, and she still did. Just now Connie saw Hazel as a little naive. All that money of her own and not a drop of arrogance. "Not yet." she mused back to her before pulling a face at the orange. "I mean, um...do you like it?" she laughed kindly. Almost horrified at the idea of repeating an outfit, Connie shook her head. "Well, that was a beautiful dress and people have seen that it's beautiful already, Hazel." she sighed but tried to not seem too disgruntled. "You really hate this don't you?" she sympathized, even though she couldn't understand it. "Shall we just head back to mine and you see what I got...have that you like?"