@xinxiins for Jihai
It was fate that sent her running into that little shop one day – just looking for some shelter from the rain. The inside was so spectacular, so crammed full of dresses and suits and clothes of all kinds that it stuck in her head for days and days and days until she found time to draw it. Brought it back in a neat little frame – presented it to the owner’s son shyly. Like a child handing something to their teacher.
And then it became near routine to drop by. Once a week turned to twice, to three times – to damn near every single day. She liked to watch Jihai work – liked to talk his ear off while he finished alterations for the day. Their friendship was easy, and it made sense,
and it was safe.
Like now, she’s bursting through the door with an armful of snack bags (that she didn’t want to leave in her car, afraid the contents would melt); a bag of ripped-open skittles swinging from between her teeth. She waves pitifully to his dad as bags of candy fall out of her grasp. She looks ridiculous. Almost like she’d just robbed some poor little kid of their Halloween candy stash.
“Are you almost done?” Is what she’s trying to say, though it comes out mumbled and muddy through clenched teeth. “I thought we could-“ Dropping everything onto the counter, she finally rips the skittles bag from her mouth and clears her throat. “… thought we could go to my place and have a movie night?” Brows quirk upwards, looking hopeful. “Dinner on me?”