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Adaine had only been living in Mordred Manor for a few months, but she was the happiest she’d ever been. Jawbone and Sandra Lynn were caring and gentle, while still being free-spirited in a way she’d never seen from parental figures. Every night at dinner when Jawbone would genuinely ask each of them how their days had been before launching into stories of his life- Sandra Lynn always jumping in to shut down a more scandalous story before he got too far in- it felt like she were staying the night at a friend’s house rather than her own.
Her whole life, it had been all about order. Here, she was free to do as she pleased, as long as she pitched in on her fair share of chores and responsibilities. Her parents controlled how much fun she had (next to none), how much studying and extracurricular activities she needed to succeed (far, far too much), and especially how much she ate. It wasn’t healthy, she’d known that for years. She was allowed a small treat on holidays and her birthday, but that was it. Other than that, it was a very strict diet, enforced brutally to keep her and her sister “healthy, young, and beautiful, as all elven women should be.” Adaine felt hungry half the time, and being unable to eat gluten stopped her from sneaking small things like a quick roll off the counter in between meals.
At Mordred Manor, she was free to eat as much as she pleased. They took her allergy to gluten seriously, making sure they were fully stocked with snacks and meals that she could partake in without issue. And being a large household, they made plenty so that no one would go hungry and were more than welcome to eat as much as they could. At first, Adaine had been holding herself back, her parents’ words echoing in her head to not go for seconds, or even a full portion for herself. But once she tasted Jawbone’s cooking, she started to let herself give in and enjoy food for the first time in her life.
As she let herself get comfortable, both in the home and with herself, Adaine noticed something that gave her pause: she was gaining weight. It started with little things; her face getting a little rounder, her clothes becoming a little more snug. But soon, she was struggling to button her shirts and jeans, and she felt embarrassed. It made sense, she was no longer malnourished, but she still felt that heat rising to her cheeks as she heard her parents’ voices chastising her for eating too much. So, she started borrowing a few pieces here and there from Kristen and Fig, but she was going to need new outfits of her own.
“Erm… Ms. Sandra Lynn?” Adaine cautiously poked her head into the kitchen.
“You don’t have to add “ms” before you talk to me, kiddo. What’s up?” She barely looked up from the sink where she was washing dishes.
Adaine didn’t know how to bring it up, but she was at the point that she couldn’t put it off any longer. “Would you be willing to take me shopping? I don’t quite know how to phrase this but, erm… None of my clothes really fit anymore.” She tried not to feel self conscious as she pulled the Camp Helio hoodie, borrowed from Kristen, away from her body.
Sandra Lynn turned to look her over for a moment before setting down the bowl she was drying. Leaning against the counter, a smile crossed her face.
“Of course I can, Adaine.” She noticed the apprehension in Adaine’s expression and walked over, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “This is normal, you know that right? It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re in a new environment, I can tell you’re happier, this isn’t a flaw.”
“I-I know that.” She ducked her head down, her face growing hot in embarrassment. “I’ve never had a home where I could eat enough, that’s all it is. It just feels… Wrong, I guess.”
“Hey, how about we get Fig and Kristen in on this? If we make it a shopping day for all of us, it won’t be all about you.” She nudged Adaine playfully with her elbow. “We can go all out, have a day at the mall, and you can get a new wardrobe out of it. That sound good, kiddo?”
“Y-yeah, that sounds good!” Adaine nodded, cracking a small smile.
———
“Okay, so I think you should get this skirt and pair it with these knee-high socks. That’s a fun preppy kinda look without being a full on school uniform like you used to rock.” Fig held out a pleated lavender skirt in her direction.
“Do you think it will look normal and not like I’m a huge nerd?” Adaine carefully took it, looking it over.
“Mmhm! As long as you don’t wear a logo for another school and only sometimes pair it with a sweater vest.” She winked at Adaine, turning her attention back to the rack of jackets she’d been admiring.
“What do you think?” Adaine folded the skirt, holding it to her chest.
“I mean, I’m not a huge skirt kinda girl? I ‘m usually just comfy in a flannel and shorts, but I think that’s because I’m gay.” Kristen snorted, adjusting the pile of men’s oversized shirts she’d been carrying a second after they made it into the store.
“Helpful.” Adaine laughed to herself. “I think I enjoy a comfy casual look with jeans and a hoodie, but I also enjoy some pastels and more “preppy” clothes. It’s so hard to choose a look to go for, you and Fig seem to have it all figured out.”
“Hey, whatever you feel happy in, that’s your style! It doesn’t have to be consistent, it just has to be enjoyable to you in the moment.” Fig chimed in. Adaine nodded, thinking it over more than someone else would.
“In that case… Let’s grab a couple of random items and try ‘em on! Can’t hurt to diversify, right?” Her smile widened as she reached for a black jacket that she wouldn’t have given a second look to otherwise.
“That’s the spirit!” Kristen elbowed her. “Here, have this dude’s striped button up shirt, might be a fun thing to try.”
After a few trips back and forth to the dressing room, Adaine was finally finished and was juggling several large shopping bags, satisfied with her purchases. At some point, Fig had sent photos to their group chat and Fabian insisted that Adaine buy an evening gown to “finally look presentable, unlike the rest of the ragtag team of misfits,” but the closest she’d gotten was a royal blue skater-style dress, pointed out to her by Fig. She had a wide variety of items, and was happier than ever.
Not only was Adaine satisfied with her purchases, but it really felt like she was moving on. She couldn’t force herself back into the clothes that were picked out for her by her family, for several reasons now, and that felt like genuine progress. With a huge variety of items, she was sure it was only going to be a matter of time until she found what she loved wearing best and came back to the mall to buy more things— and that her best friends would be right there beside her.