"It's good to see you. Very happy for you," she carries on, and I'm a loss for words.

"After all these years and I still don't know your name," I reply, still in awe.

"Hattie," she spoke, her words soft and calming.

Hattie was the one who saved me. She saved my life with her caring ways and I trusted her like no one else. Her kindness allowed me to feel safe with her and no one had ever done that for me. Talia and Freya were some of the kindest girls I met but I still couldn't tell them the things I told her. My family, friends.

She was my safe haven.

"A couple people took me in and saw my desperate need. Without you I wouldn't be were I am today. Thank you," I say, still not knowing how to comprehend this situation.

"Don't thank me sweetheart. You did this on your own."

I smile at her and she returns it. She asks me who I'm living with and I tell her about Josh, Talia, Freya, and the rest of the boys I've met. Hattie tells me how proud she is of me and how they must be very caring people.

"I know this must be hard for you. But all you need to remember from this is;"

"don't be afraid to let people in."

I take this into account. If I want to be good friends with Talia and Freya and anyone in general, I have to be truthful. Talk to them. Because I know that if I don't I'll miss the opportunity and regret it the rest of my life.

Again she saves my life. And once again I will forever be thankful.

She pulls me closer and I lay my head on her shoulder, the smell of dirt and old food not bothering me one bit.

~

After ten minutes or so of silence I heard the bustle and rustle of Talia and and Freya leaving the shops. Both come from different shops, both with a heavy bag. I laugh and wave them over, introducing them to the reason why I'm still here.

Talia and Freya stand in shock when I tell them how I was dying and had no one to go to. I knew it was time to tell people more about me but for now they were enough. I told them about my family, my trust issues, as much as it pained me, they didn't stop listening. Not even when it was half an hour later and we still have a couple shops to go to. I now realised I had three people to be grateful for.

They both shook Hattie's hand and I gave her one last hug. "You'll be okay," she whispers to me and my smile is wider than ever. Before we have a chance to walk away, Talia pulls out a couple hundred pounds from her purse. Hattie notices and can't hold back her tears. I smile and tell her she deserves it, while Talia insists she take the money. This woman truly deserves the best, and Talia was willing to give her a 'small something' to help her back on her feet.

"Ever need a hand, don't hesitate to come by," Talia says and hands Hattie a piece of paper with her address on.

And with that the once mysterious woman was gone. I knew I would see her again.

~

7. Urban                    12:27pm
outfitters              

The bright colours with an inviting sense sends me into this next shop. I already like this one way more than the last as their clothes aren't as girly. I can't hold in my squeals when I see clothes I can't wait to try on. We all race inside, all in opposite directions.

I run straight towards the first thing that caught my eye. I skid to a stop on the slippy tiles, examining the item like a buyer at an antique store. It was beautiful. Bright, neon, green. I guessed I was drawn to bright colours, not having ever worn them before. It was a Tommy Hilfiger coat, and I was instantly in love. I didn't want to waste any more time staring and turned to tell the girls about my perfect coat, until someone came out of nowhere and I crashed into them and onto the cold floor.

"Shit, sorry. Lemme help you up," the person spoke, and it was a guys. I had heard it before, and looked up to see Harry staring down at me with an apologetic look on his face.

He held out his hand and I took it thankfully. I brushed myself off and asked him what he was doing here.

"Sidemen video. Can't eat anything but green and for fun I'm changing my clothes to match," he replies, and I smile.

"Uh what's 'Sidemen'?" I ask, blushing. It must be very obvious.

"Oh yeah I forgot you wouldn't know about it," Harry says and I look to the floor. "It's me and the boys' YouTube channel. We have two and post on them regularly."

I'm still blushing and change the subject. "Got your eyes on the coat too?"

He laughs and whispers to me. "It's meant to be for the video but I actually really like it."

I agree and stare back at it. "You buying?"

I nod and find my size. Harry does the same and our hands brush past.

"Omg you guys are matching!" Talia squeals from behind us.

"Jesus Talia, no need to give me a heart attack," Harry laughs.

I blush once again. "Oh well. I love this coat and nothing will stop me wearing it," I say to defuse the tension.

Harry smiles and looks back at me. "By the way, that colour would totally suit you," and then walks off, Talia waving him goodbye.

"He's right you know," Talia says and we walk off too.

I can't help but reply that conversation with Harry in my head. No boy has ever given me a compliment, a genuine one at that. I understand why girls enjoy receiving them.

We meet back with Freya as I show her my coat  too. I can't help but want to show the world myself and my coat, this is all so new. Before I didn't even want to catch the attention of birds passing by.

We walk out the shop into the afternoon rush hour, the sun beaming down on us as we walk to the next shop.

We decide to skip Topshop as it's too much of a hassle. We only have Nike left to do and then we can eat, sounded good to all of us.

9. Nike                      12:52pm

As we walk in I can tell this one will be the longest one. There are lots of people inside, all waiting to try on shoes or browsing at clothes.
I jog over to the shoes and spot a pair I love. This is definitely a grade up from my bare feet.

Today has been full of awe and these shoes topped it off. Like a cherry on an ice cream sundae. I wait what seems like an entirety to try them on and pay. Then I thank Talia once more and leave them to find some other clothes.

We meet back outside in an hour or so. Freya got some workout clothes and Talia got herself a sports bra and some air forces she wanted to customise for Simon. I got some running shorts and the shoes I was in love with.

10. Food                     1:45pm

We cheered as we left Nike. We sped to the nearest restaurant which happened to be McDonald's. I ordered the one thing I remembered my brother having and sharing with me.

Chicken nuggets were more delicious than I remembered, tasting the tender chicken and nostalgic vibes. I even got to try a McFlurry, Oreo ice cream and told myself I would buy one next time we stopped there.

I couldn't stop smiling on the car ride back. Today had been the most eventful one of my life, opening myself up and opening Talia's bank account. I thanked her many more times in the car until she deliberately turned the volume up on the music.

I would never forget this day.