CHAPTER THIRTEEN UNPACKED

Scarlett surveyed her new apartment with a satisfied sigh. Clara, dripping sweat and sporting a smudge of dirt on her cheek, stood beside her, hands on her hips. "There!" Clara declared, surveying the boxes now neatly stacked in a corner. "Mission: Unpack Scarlett, complete!" Scarlett laughed. "Thank you, Clara. You're a lifesaver." Clara grinned. "Just doing my best friend duty. Now, onto the important stuff – decorating!" Scarlett's smile faltered slightly as Clara picked up a pair of airy, floral curtains. "These are perfect for the living room! Light and cheerful, just like you." "Oh, I don't know, Clara," Scarlett hesitated. "Maybe something a bit more… neutral?" "Neutral?" Clara feigned a gasp. "Where's the personality in neutral, my friend? These scream 'welcome home!' They just need a few throw pillows to tie the whole thing together." Scarlett held back a smile. Clara's decorating style tended towards the bold and vibrant, while Scarlett gravitated towards a more minima