The Grand Mall buzzed with the lively hum of evening shoppers, the upper floor a whirlwind of bright lights, chattering voices, and the faint jingle of pop music drifting from storefronts. The restaurant’s warm glow was behind us, the plates of cold pasta and burger scraps cleared, the pile of shopping bags now heavier as we ventured back into the chaos of retail.
My white sneakers tapped on the polished floor, my long black shirt and t-shirt swaying as I held the trolley filled with bags.
Aeri and Sara walked beside me and soon we found ourselves in a heels shop, its sleek displays lined with glittering stilettos, chunky platforms, and delicate sandals, the air scented with new leather and faint perfume. The bags from earlier purchases—clothes, accessories, more shoes—were piled at my feet, and I sighed, slumping onto a plush couch, with my Iced Latte in my hand, which I brought just now
*Sighhh. I’ll never understand girls,* I thought, watching Aeri and Sara flutter between racks, their excitement not fading despite the dozens of shoes they’d already bought. It was a mystery, their endless enthusiasm for heels, a topic I’d never grasp, but their joy was undeniable, even if it exhausted me.
Sara held up a pair of crimson stilettos, turning to Aeri with a grin. "These would scream with that red dress we got, right?" she said, her voice bright, her boots clicking as she spun the heels under the shop’s lights.
"Oh, totally!" Aeri said, her smile wide, her fingers brushing the shoes, her sneakers scuffing as she leaned closer. "But what about those gold ones for the black dress?" She pointed to a pair of strappy heels.
Sara laughed, nudging Aeri’s shoulder. "You’re too good at this," she said, grabbing the gold heels, holding them up like a trophy. "Though, imagine Lyra trying to walk in these. She’d trip in two seconds." Her grin turned mischievous, talking about some other woman.
Aeri giggled, covering her mouth, her blush deepening. "Oh, come on, leave her alone," she said.
I rolled my eyes, sinking deeper into the couch, my latte straw between my lips, my gaze lazy but lingering on them.
*I hate Sara, that’s a fact,* I thought, but watching them —laughing, teasing, their faces lit up, their beauty undeniable—softened the edge of my irritation. Aeri’s gentle warmth, Sara’s bold fire, they were stunning in their own ways, their joy infectious. They both are beautiful women in the end.
Sara caught me staring, her eyes narrowing, a sly grin spreading as she leaned toward Aeri, whispering something, her red nails brushing Aeri’s arm.
Aeri’s face flushed, her eyes widening, a shy smile breaking as she whispered something back,
Sara let out a loud *pfft*, bursting into laughter, her hand slapping Aeri’s shoulder, and Aeri joined her, their giggles echoing in the shop, drawing a curious glance from the clerk.
I made a twisted, disgusted face, my lips pursing, knowing they were talking about me. I exhaled sharply, focusing on my latte, the ice clinking in the cup, the creamy coffee a distraction from their weird teasing.
We left the shop, more bags added to the pile, and now I was pushing a big trolley, its wheels rattling as we walked along the mall’s upper railing, the open atrium below buzzing with shoppers.
Aeri and Sara chattered beside me, their voices blending into a lively hum. My hands gripped the trolley’s handle.
"Hey, Ezra..." Sara called out, her voice casual, a rare softness in it, her boots slowing as she turned to me, her red nails resting on her hip. It was one of those fleeting moments where she used my real name, not "baby" or some weird shit, and it caught me off guard, my head tilting toward her.
"Yes?" I responded, stopping the trolley, my hands still on the handle, my eyes meeting hers, curious.
She pointed across the railing to a men’s clothing store, its sleek displays of jackets, sneakers, and shirts glowing under spotlights. "You want something?" she asked, her voice genuine, her head tilting, her stockings catching the light as she shifted her weight, her offer unexpected, almost kind.
I blinked, my lips twitching into a faint smile, my hands tightening on the trolley. "Nah, thanks, I’m good," I said, my tone calm, shrugging slightly. "I’ve got a few clothes I haven’t even worn yet. I’ll use those."
Sara’s eyes widened, her hands planting on her hips, her jacket creaking as she puffed up little pushy. "Oh, come on, buy something," she said, her voice straight but insistent, her boots clicking as she stepped closer. "I’ll pay for it. Consider it a gift from your sexy aunt." She winked, placing her hand on her chest, feeling proud, daring me to refuse.
I glanced at Aeri, her eyes soft, her smile gentle. She nodded subtly, her head tilting toward the store, her sneakers scuffing as she encouraged me to accept, her warmth urging me to go along, to keep the peace, to share in Sara’s rare generosity.
I sighed, my shoulders slumping, my hands loosening on the trolley. "Okay," I said, my voice resigned but amused, a smirk tugging at my lips. "A pair of shoes will be enough."
Sara clapped her hands, her grin triumphant, her boots bouncing as she patted my back, her touch firm. "Buy whatever you want, kiddo, don’t be shy," she said, her voice loud, her red nails flashing as she gestured to the store. "Your aunt’s rich!" She laughed, her head tilting back, her jacket creaking, her confidence filling the space.
Aeri smiled beside us, putting her fingers on he lips, her warmth a quiet contrast to Sara’s blaze, her presence grounding me, even as the weight of my secrets—two women, two cubicles, one chaotic day—settled heavier, a silent burden I carried alone.
The trolley rattled as we moved toward the store, let’s see how much I can make her spend though I don’t need it and can buy for myself but still she wants to give me a gift all of a sudden.