XIX. Vanity Sells (2)

Raine’s POV:


I ended the call and made my way towards the front of the store. I can feel the envious look of those in line when I step in line with Helen. We hand the lady our tickets. There’s nothing to be envious about, after all, we had our fair share of waiting in line.

When I entered the store, my eyes widened at the extravagant decor. It seems like the bathroom is a reflection of the whole mall.

Helen didn’t question who I was on the phone with. Instead, we talked about how nice the store looks. At the register, Helen placed down two small glass bottles. The cashier gathered our information, probably to sell it later. I’m not sure, it’s a theory. Then, she placed the bottle inside two slots and it disappeared into the wall. Seconds later steam appeared. My eyes narrowed when a box came out of the bottle. The lady opened the box and showed it to us before she slips it inside a soft bag.

That was it.

My eyes widen at the price.

It was three months’ worth of paycheck.

Helen paid and we left.

“The bottle was empty?” I ask.

Helen nods, “You don’t really think they would put the potion inside, do you?” I shrug. “It’s to prevent thievery. They could steal, but they would only steal the empty bottle.” Helen cuddles close to the bag. “I hope you’re worth all the birthday and Christmas money.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as she snuggles the bag into her chest like a baby. She even kissed it a few times. Helen turns around and walks backward as we leave the mall. “All right. I called us a cab earlier. We stop by the hotel, grab our stuff, and off to the rattus train. Boom. We’ll be home soon.”

I smile, “Thanks.”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

“No, thank you for taking me out of the human community.” I exhale and look around. It feels nice to be out of the usual routine of school, work, and desperation to go home.

“Well when we get back, you can thank me by help-”

Then, there it is.

The unfortunate incident.

Before Helen can finish her sentence, a man snatched her bag. With Helen’s strength, she refused to let it go. In the end, she got dragged for a few steps until the bag ripped. Helen shriek in surprise and horror as the box dropped to the ground. She made a leap for the box, but the thief was too fast.

He dashes through the crowd.

Without hesitation, Helen rushed towards him.

I squealed lightly before I ran behind Helen. I grab my phone and report the crime. Least to say, running while reporting is not an easy task.

I follow their grueling race without complaint. The gather of individuals made me feel suffocated. The sweats formed on my clothes weren’t appealing either. I don’t remember the last time I sweat this much. My heartthrob against my chest and my legs stumbled a few times.

The more we run, the more the distance between us increases. I didn’t know Helen was so physically fit. She leaps over a bicyclist earlier. It was nuts.

That was it.

My legs gave out.

I went on my knees, in the middle of a random sidewalk, and tried to catch my breath. My lungs felt so dry, they could burst any second. I look down at my phone to see the call to the authorities long end. I probably end the call sometime between tripping on the sidewalk or fumbling on a random vase of flower.

I scanned the area and found a cafe with tables and chairs outside. I settle on one of the chairs, “Yeah. I’ll wait for you here,” I said to Helen who’s probably streets away.

In the city, there are multiple directions, but the usual landmarks to locals were foreign to me. With my chin rest against the moist palm, I could feel my blood cool underneath the shade.

I swirl the phone around my fingers and stared at the ever-moving crowd. There was nothing familiar insight, more sound than desired, and the light from the sun didn’t help my situation.

The phone vibrates and I answer the call. Heavy breathing dosage into my ear, “Got it! Got the fucking thief!”

I can hear a click then another short vibrate. My finger taps on the screen to see a half beaten up man.

“Where are you?” Helen asks.

I looked around until my eyes found a sign. I told her the street names.

“I’m coming back,” I said.

“Not reporting him?”

“Not worth the time. He spends a night in jail and they’ll let him go. We have a train to catch,” she said.

“All right,” I said. “I’ll be here.”

“Stay on the phone,” Helen said. “I have a bunch of random stuff to tell you.” I know what she’s doing. She’s reassuring me that she is with me even when we aren’t together.

I move back and forth in the chair, and laughed once in a while at her jokes. The wind caresses my skin and I brush my hair. Even when I’m alone in a city filled with strangers, Helen made me felt like I wasn’t alone.

I know there’s a soft smile on my face. My eyes follow the newspaper in the street and I notice the graffiti on the wall not too far from me. Helen told me she saw the same one. She’s down the street, but I couldn’t see her. The people who passed me didn’t make me anxious, knowing my friend is nearby and we’ll be going back soon.

The moment I saw Helen’s head, I popped up and waved my hand. “Over here! Over he-”

My vocals seemingly broke at the sight among the crowd. There’s this person.

This stranger somehow stood out among others. He had this kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. That type that made you go: “Wow. Did you see him?” when he’s out of sight.

His steps halt, not too far from me, but enough to tell the crowd that we weren’t relatively familiar. His hair was longer than the typical guy, thick and lustrous. When the wind blows, his silver eyes make its appearance.

I can see the surprise in his eyes, wider than it should be. Then, there it is - the softness.

In a few seconds, it changes again into a more serious expression.

I swallow with the sight of his jawline tightening.

The longer I look at him, the more adrenaline rush into my bloodstream.

“Raine?”

I couldn’t find my voice. My cheeks flushed red at the sight of the man in front of me. I don’t understand this feeling. My stomach was heavy, but it wasn’t the type when you want to throw up. His eyes never waver from mine. I wonder if it’s one of those situations that songs often talk about. The ones where a guy and girl met then fall in love shit.

My body numbed as he stepped forward, and I hated how I look. I should’ve worn something more desirable instead of rip jeans, dirty shoes, and a stained t-shirt. I tuck my messy hair back and turn towards the graffiti. Quickly, I rush towards Helen.

“This cannot be happening,” I whisper.

“What cannot be happening?” Helen question.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“Across the street from you.”

I look forward across the street and exhale heavily. When the pedestrian light turns green. Without thought, I took a step towards her. It’s not my fault for feeling how I felt. The dude was crazy attractive. That was it, a mere physical attraction and in a few days, I’ll forget about it.

Forget about him.

But first, I’ll tell Helen all about the handsome guy she missed.

Unfortunately, before I can take a single step across the street, a rough hand grabs me by the elbow. My body jolts back and I almost drop the phone in my hand.

“Hey!” I scream. My body whips around to face the handsome guy from earlier. I swallow fiercely and suck in my cheeks. “What’s your problem?” Handsome or not. That was rude.

He didn’t respond rather stare at me.

I look down at the hand still around my elbow. “Mind letting-”

Then, it appears.

The change in eye color.

“H-Hey.” I lean back, “Mind letting go of m-”

“No.” His voice was what I imagined. Deep. But it wasn’t scary, rather nice.

I cannot believe this is happening in broad daylight. Some people stop in their tracks and whisper in our direction. “I’m sorry but I don’t know you. I think you got the wrong per-”

I didn’t believe it.

I couldn’t believe it.

How it happened to me.

It fucking actually happened to me.

His luscious lips part open and the most terrifying word in this world left his mouth: “Mate.”