"You look great."
Mia said it to the figure staring back at her from the full-body mirror. It was the sixth time already, and she still was not sure if she actually looked good enough. Her eyes scanned the dress again.
"Simple, but great," she muttered.
She looked up. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun, eyes glistening with anticipation, but her lips still carried hesitation.
She sighed. "Everything will be alright."
She picked up the purse lying on the bed and walked out of the bedroom. Crossing the hallway, she adjusted the strap hanging from her shoulder and reached the door. Blinking once, she opened it.
Bright.
"At least the weather is on my side today."
She crossed the yard as sunlight cast a long morning glow over her frame. The warmth made her feel alive again. She opened the metal gate. It let out a low cry as she stepped onto the street.
She glanced sideways.
For a moment, she felt like someone was watching her. Then she brushed it off, closed the gate, and turned forward again.
One step. Then another.
Walking toward their destined place.
Minutes passed as she walked. Sometimes her eyes stayed straight ahead, sometimes they drifted to the cars passing by, or to the few people who seemed to notice her. She pretended not to care, but her mind kept circling the same thought.
Who was that woman?
She had seen her only once, yesterday, and still couldn't forget her. The look on Paul's face stood out the most. He had been smiling. Not much, but enough. She had never seen him like that with anyone else. Forget anyone else, she hadn't even known Paul could smile like that.
Stop it.
The woman was older than Paul. That much Mia could tell. She was beautiful too, in a calm, mature way. Compared to her, Mia felt smaller. Less certain.
What was their relationship?
"Maybe she's his big sister?"
That was the safest answer she could give herself.
"She has to be his sister. What else could she be? His guardian? Or… or maybe just a friend. Nothing more. So please, shut up."
She was only a few meters away from the agreed place when she saw him.
Mia stopped.
Paul was talking to someone. A guy around their age. Tall. Easygoing. Another friend?
For some reason, that bothered her more than it should have.
She remembered what she had thought when she first met Paul. That she was helping him because he looked lonely. But maybe that was never true. Maybe he already had people. A life. And he simply chose to stay silent.
The guy left. Paul checked the time on his phone and waited, hands loose, posture relaxed.
A small wave of relief washed over her as she walked toward him.
He was wearing a brown shirt and navy-blue pants. Simple and clean. Just like her.
A soft smile formed on her lips.
She reached him and tapped his shoulder lightly. "I'm here."
Paul turned around casually. He didn't respond right away, like he was recalling something. Then he nodded once.
"Let's go then."
She walked beside him, keeping her distance, just enough. Her eyes kept glancing at him. He hadn't said anything since they started walking. He hadn't even looked at her.
Was I expecting too much? she thought eventually. But then again, that was how Paul was.
"Who was that guy earlier?" she asked finally. "Was he your friend?"
Paul turned his head, but he didn't reply.
She watched him for a moment. That still face told her everything she needed to know.
"Alright, I get it. First rule of the fight club."
Paul's footsteps came to a halt. Mia stopped right after him, her eyes lifting to the giant store in front of them. The place looked expensive, far beyond her standards.
Weren't they only buying her a new phone?
Paul was already a few steps ahead. She followed quickly, her mouth opening to call out to him, but she didn't. The doors opened on their own as they reached them.
Cold.
Air conditioners ran quietly in every corner. People walked left and right. Workers in clean black uniforms moved around, the store's name printed neatly on their backs.
Her gaze dropped.
White tiles covered everything. The floor. The walls. Light spilling down from the ceiling.
Paul stopped at one of the counters. A man walked up to them immediately.
"What are you looking for, sir?"
Paul turned his head toward her. She had gone silent for no clear reason.
"A phone," he answered calmly.
"Alright then," the man replied. "Any specific requirements? Gaming, photography, or have you already decided?"
Paul glanced at her again.
Still silent.
She looked troubled. That much he could tell. She tugged lightly at his shirt. He raised his eyebrows, asking what was wrong.
Her lips moved for a moment, then she turned around and walked away.
What's up with her? Paul thought.
"Wait a minute," he said to the man at the counter and followed her.
The man watched him for a second, confused, then returned to waiting. It was part of the job.
She stopped near the corner of the store, where fewer people were passing by.
"What happened?" Paul asked.
His voice carried no concern. Just curiosity.
She shot him a look. "What is this place? I thought we were just going to some normal store."
"You can buy a phone here too."
"Yeah, but…" She stopped herself. "Forget it, alright."
"Forget what?" Paul asked, sensing something off.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "I just need to think."
"Take your time," Paul replied.
He watched her, then let his gaze drift to the people around them. Everyone was busy with their own things. Some glanced at him, but no one cared to take notice.
Something felt off.
She was the problem here. Or am I just overthinking? No that can't be, can it?
"Alright," she said, clearing her throat lightly. "I'm not buying the same one."
"Then?"
"I'll buy the same one as yours."
Paul frowned slightly. "Why?"
"Just felt like it," she said, avoiding his eyes. "My previous phone was outdated anyway. Figured I might as well get something that fits the current vibe."
Paul considered her words for a moment, then replied, "Alright then. But don't say any nonsense after this."
"Yes, sir," she replied quickly.
Paul returned to the same counter. The man from earlier arrived quickly, and asked. "Have you decided?"
"Yeah," Paul replied flatly. He took the phone from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "Same one."
The man picked up the phone, turned it once, and recognized it immediately. He placed it back down.
"You're sure you want the same one?"
"Yeah," Paul said.
The man cast a long look at Paul, unsure of something.
Paul's hand moved to his back pocket. He took out a black card and placed it on the counter.
The man's gaze snapped to it. For a moment, he froze.
Paul tapped the counter once.
The man startled, coughed into his hand, and said quickly, "I'll get it right away," before hurrying off.
Paul glanced to his right. Still quiet, but curious. That much was obvious. When she noticed his look, her smile widened.
He looked away.
At least she knows when to keep her mouth shut.
The man returned quickly, breathing a little harder than before. He placed the phone down.
"Here's your phone. Would you like me to open it? Just to check—"
"No," Paul cut in quietly. "Make the bill and put everything in the box."
"Yes, sir."
The man worked fast. He scanned the card, entered the price, and waited for the receipt. He took a shopping bag from beneath the counter and placed the phone inside.
Paul watched without speaking.
The man slipped the bill into the bag and handed it to Paul, returning the black card with both hands. He bowed slightly.
"Thank you for coming by."
Paul took it. "Yeah."
He turned and walked toward the exit.
The man watched him disappear through the glass door. Only then did he exhale.
"So they did actually exist," he muttered to himself.
"What was that?"
Paul turned to her. "What?"
"The man inside." She glanced back slightly. "He acted kind of weird."
"How?"
"I don't know." She replied quickly. "I just felt it, alright."
Paul didn't reply.
Mia's eyes dropped to the bag in her hands. They were outside the store now, standing near the bus stop. She pulled out the receipt first.
"WHAT?" Her voice shot up. Then she stared harder. "What the hell is this price?"
"Didn't you say you wanted the same one as me?" he replied, tone casual.
"Yeah, but…" Her eyes lifted to him. "You could've at least told me it was this expensive."
Paul watched her. Said nothing.
"Agh." She shoved the receipt back into the bag. "So you're loaded. Got it. Everything makes sense now." She laughed under her breath, then paused. "I still need to buy a new SIM."
"It comes with one," he said.
"It does?" Her voice softened. "That saves me a lot, I guess."
The bus arrived. People waiting began to board.
"You can check everything when you get home," Paul said.
She didn't move.
"The bus is here," he said again.
"Yeah. I know." She stared at the ground.
Paul glanced at the driver. Still waiting.
"I don't want to go home right now," she whispered.
The bus pulled away. The stop emptied. Everyone left except her.
"Didn't I tell—"
"You promised. Remember?"
"What?" Paul frowned slightly.
"You said you'd spend the day with me." She looked up, eyes bright, almost childish. "You said you'd play boyfriend for me."
Don't give me that look, he thought, staring up at the blue sky.
"What are you going to do after going home anyway?"
Yeah, right. What am I gonna do after going home? Seriously, what are you gonna do? Nothing. There's nothing I will do.
"Nothing much," Paul said.
Her smile widened. "So we're going, right?"
We?
"Yeah."