A Shopping Strip on Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, CA

[its_theclimb]

So lately, Miley had been... a little grouchy. Or, well, very grouchy. Something about getting rejected from her top-choice university just because she had a secret identity that made it a little difficult to do things like after-school clubs and community service.

Regardless, though, there was always one thing that made her feel better when she was grouchy, and that thing was shopping.

So here she was, sunglasses on and Hannah Montana-worthy designer clothes in shopping bags in each hand, and she turned to Juliet. "Best idea ever," she declared. "I mean, come on. It's impossible to dwell on you-know-what when I have new shoes this cute."

[[for one, and NFB for distance!]]

Comments

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

Which led to a twin flailing at her as she clutched the feathery robe closed over her bra.

"WHAT THE HELL GET OUT OH MY GOD, DO YOU KNOCK?"

Sorry, Miles.

[its-theclimb.livejournal.com]

"Sorry!" Miley exclaimed, hastily covering her eyes because oh god the awkward.

Although -- "Wow, that was a really quick change."

Well, it was. But wait, not the point.

"There's paparazzi outside!" she hissed. "They'll see me all brunette and my changing room's not open and what if they see me?"

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

"I just took my shirt off and --"

Juliet realized that was not the point.

"You know they are totally going to think we're making out in here or something," she protested. "... wait, would that be good for your image?"

[its-theclimb.livejournal.com]

"Noitwouldnotbegoodformyimage!" Miley blurted out, absolutely horrified. She was pacing and everything! "Okay, think. I have to think."

Beat.

"There's no chance that color comes from a... really fast-acting spray bottle, is there?" she asked hopefully with a nod to Juliet's hair.

MILEY. RUDE.

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

"It's natural," Juliet protested, hurt. "... mostly."

She squinted at Miley, sighed. "Would the clerk shoo them if went out and I asked?"

[its-theclimb.livejournal.com]

It was about as natural as Miley's wig, but no matter.

"Maaaybe," Miley said hesitantly, biting her lip. "You wouldn't mind?"

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

"Only a little," Juliet said truthfully, and -- thankfully -- remembered to take off the robe and put her shirt back on before she slipped out.

As she went to talk to the clerk -- who was not especially helpful -- the cameras began to click.

[its-theclimb.livejournal.com]

Miley was only in the changing room for another minute before she realized something. She had her emergency wig with her in her purse, duh.

And then she heard the cameras clicking and thought of how Juliet must be suffering, so she was quick to throw the wig on over her head and hurry out after her.

"Hey, y'all," she greeted the photographers, giving a little half-wave and sounding considerably less enthusiastic than usual. A hush fell over the room. Yes, her presence was magic like that. "Listen, how about you take a few quick shots of me and my friend Juliet here and then you get out of our way, 'kay?"

Yeah, this was not the trip she'd had planned, like, at all. She glanced at Juliet, trying to discern if the other girl was mad.

[twintuitionist.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe a little mad. Her hair had gotten even worse from the quick changing, and she hadn't put on much makeup, so she wasn't sure she looked her best.

But from the way she was carefully spelling out her name and explaining she was an actress from New York? No, not that mad. Juliet always figured someday the cameras would discover her; why not today?