it’s fixed, her smile. contains a million intricate pieces that with one small tap, could either brighten or wither beneath the touch. much like most of xuanyi’s woes, she’s weaved this one to it’s very existence. tightly wound, nearing the breaking point – one more tug and perhaps it would shatter all together. as was most of her relationships, they were nothing but fragile fragments that were either too easily discarded or too loosely built. never a tether to hold onto, somehow, she had gotten it into her own lovesick mind that maybe these ones would be different. she had known xiao the longest of her friends but, she forgets, longest never really means true.
so she holds the other’s words at the edge of the plank, silently wondering whether she’ll be pushed into shark-infested waters or saved by the bell. were they a double-edged sword ready to strike – had xiao finally realized they were at their crossroads, no longer could they walk beside one another ( or never really beside, more of a lingering ghost that pops up every now and then ) ? she hoped not. “well, if you wish with all your heart, i think god or whatever higher power can cut you some slack.”
she’s a terrible friend, a fact xuanyi won’t admit sincerely, so like always – she comes with pretty gifts. the only way she thinks she can make up to her terribleness, “guess.” she says; fingers pulling up an unmarked black tote, settled with tissue paper and a slim black box carrying xiao’s gift.
at least it wasn’t her actual birthday that she was wasting on that. her mind told her to be a bit less mean since they had a strong, long history, but if the past years had been basic trash then what was the point? the more she tried acting like she didn’t care the more her fingers turned stiff. it was like death had finally arrived, or maybe it was simply because of the presence of a witch. if xuanyi had a pointy hat on xiao was sure it would fit her well. not that anything ever didn’t.
without much more to do, her eyes left the other and decided to stare at the bag that contained her gift. it definitely looked bigger than a bracelet and it wasn’t of xuanyi to repeat presents when she could waste her money on nearly anything. “is it a ball?” the format obviously didn’t fit, which to her was a tiny bit hilarious. the older fixed her posture so she could take everything in more easily, and then she reached for the present. would there be any soul in it at all?
the box was taken from the inside and placed in between them, right next to the untouched cake she was unsure if they were actually planning on eating ( but would gladly take it with her if it came to it ). “well, you must give me a hint. did you make it yourself, by any chance?”
