I entered the huge store, adjusting my hood and lowering my head. The sparkle of the jewelry made me wince, making me wonder how much would they cost.
Enough to make you turn around and leave in an instant.
I sighed, feeling how sweaty my palms have become. I shoved them in my pockets. The cashier threw me a suspicious look, but I smiled with confidence, trying to show her that I hadn't lost my way and I knew exactly where I was. She discretely rolled her brown eyes and gave me a millimetric nod as I turned my head, ready to look for Emily.
My eyes kept looking at my small, black watch. I couldn't stay long. I had to be careful.
The store. The building. The bus.
Shaking my head, I passed by several showcases which displayed the most expensive jewelry the store had. I let a shiver go down my spine and I couldn't help but think Why would rich people pay so much for tiny objects?
"Ivy! Hey, come over here!"
Emily's high-pitched voice made me turn around quickly, as she was walking towards me, her full, brown lips started curving into a small smile. She threw her long, blonde hair on her back with a single, elegant movement of her hand. I pursued my lips, approaching her and taking off my hood.
"Goddamn, Ivy. You should totally stop wearing this tomb-boy outfit. Hoodies? Really?"
I shrugged. "We both know you can't change my mind. Now, what did you want me to see? I can't stay long. My mom..."
She gave me a dismissive wave of her hand, walking towards a huge showcase. "I know. I know. Your mother is a tyrant who tries to control you and your personal life. I know already."
Furrowing my brows, I sighed deeply. "It's not like that..."
She giggled, turning her body towards me and planting her feet next to the biggest showcase in the entire store. "I was joking! Geez, you're no fun at all. Why are you always so tense?"
I preferred to not answer that question. She knew nothing about my past, about what I'd been through. And I wanted to keep it that way. It wasn't safe to talk about it. Not that she would've reacted like the others, but...
Maybe it will come back if I talk about it.
I forced a smile and lifted my chin towards the showcase near us. "So... is the thing you wanted to show me in this huge showcase which is probably more expensive than what I can make in my whole life?"
She rolled her eyes, resting her hands on her hips. "Ha Ha. What a good joke. But, whatever. Yeah. I wanted to show you this necklace."
Like she felt us staring at her precious goods, the cashier appeared behind our backs and cleared her throat, making us turn towards her. She smiled -a fake, calculated smile- and gave a small nod towards the showcase. "Would you like to buy anything?"
I placed my gaze upon Emily, whose eyes became dark as she was staring at the cashier. I knew what she was thinking. And, that's why I gently grabbed her hand, squeezing it. She had a bad temper and the thing which made her go crazy was when people underestimated her. She flinched when I touched her, looking straight into my eyes. She probably forgot I was still there, next to her. Sighing, she turned her head towards the cashier and gave her a full smile which could probably compete with a supermodel's one. "I'm still thinking. I will give you my answer in five minutes. Is that okay?"
The cashier nodded slowly, giving us one last glare before she pivoted and went back to another customer. I exhaled sharply, gazing at Emily. "Stop getting mad over such little things. She will see that you're serious when you'll buy something. There's no need to be dramatic."
She nodded, the last trace of irritability disappearing from her joyful, big, blue eyes. "Okay, okay. I'm dramatic. I know. Now, let's forget about it. So, what do you think of this necklace...?"
I couldn't hear anything. My heart was hammering in my chest and I placed my hand on it, not sure of what was going on. Everything seemed blurry and my temples were pulsing.
Am I having a panic attack?
Is... is it back?
Frightened, I looked around the store, trying to find even the most insignificant detail which could prevent another catastrophe.
Then, I saw it. A glimpse of red hair, which made me shiver involuntarily.
I saw Emily opening her mouth with the corner of my eye, but I didn't have time to answer her questions.
She's here.
'Your big sister's gonna kill them all, okay?'
I ran towards the lively splash of color, ignoring the people looking at me like I was a mad woman. I didn't care about them. I had to catch her. That night, that party... it got impregnated in my mind, like it was glued on it and I could never forget it.
And why are you chasing her? What do you want to do with her if you catch her?
She was... different. Maybe... just maybe...
She knows something about my problem.
I opened my mouth, ready to tell her to stop moving around, but I shut it quickly. Maybe she would've run as well if she knew I was after her. Maybe she didn't want to talk to me again.
She was slaloming between showcases and the people around made it difficult to keep the track of her fuzzy, red hair. Someone yelled after me, but I didn't turn around.
I can't let them ruin this chance.
I saw her entering another room and, taking a deep breath and forcing my legs to move, I got into the clothes part of the store. A few middle-aged women gave me a judgemental look, but I ignored them, searching for her.
There she is.
Walking, I approached her. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as her curly, long, red hair entered my full visual area. I couldn't see anything else but her. I moistened my lips, cleared my throat and gently tapped her shoulder. She stiffened and I could feel my whole body tense as she turned around...
It's not her.
I blinked twice, staring at her unfamiliar face. She frowned, studying me from head to toes, trying to figure out why a flustered, total stranger approached her.
"S-s-sorry..." I stuttered, not sure of what I should've done. "I thought you were someone else..."
Throwing me another skeptical look, she pivoted and ran away from me. I sighed, letting my eyes wander around. No one else. There was no one else with red hair around.
It's like that night. The blonde hair disappeared... and red hair appeared...
It didn't make any sense.
"Young lady. You should come with us."
I turned around to see two intimidating bodyguards looking down at me with stiffened, serious expressions plastered on their faces. I sighed, scratching the back of my neck.
I can't stay here anymore. It might come back.
"I know where the door is." I scoffed, passing by them and walking towards the exit.