The mall was crowded. Lessin could've asked everybody what they were doing there on a Wednesday afternoon, but she was also there on a Wednesday afternoon. Guilty. Her mom had sent her to buy a limited-edition pair of shoes as a birthday gift for Zabron's mother coming up that weekend. She did wish the university opened. Maybe then she won't be sent on certain chores.
She found her way to the store within a short time since she knew that mall like the back of her hand. She could see the shoes displayed at the window and she thanked God for their availability. When she entered the store, she did look around a bit just to see if she could also buy something for herself. She had her mom's card, easy access.
"Lessin?", a girly voice called her name from the back.
She immediately turned around; eyebrows popped up with a puzzle. She never expected to meet Bella, remember her? Zabron's girlfriend. He'd introduced them the other day and it seemed Bella took the intro very seriously. She even remembered her face.
"I knew it was you.", said Bella happily as she approached her, "What are the odds, right?",
"I know.", Lessin faked a smile, "What're you doing here?",
"Shopping for a gift.",
"Okay. I hope you find what you're look _",
"Are you alone?",
Lessin cracked her fingers. Her first effort to avoid her was in vain. "Yeah. Just stopped by for a quick … buy.", she answered, very uncomfortable.
"Oh, let's do it together then. I'm here with my little sister. We can shop together _",
"Oh, don't bother. I'm _",
"Here she is.", Bella said as soon as her little sister walked into the store.
Lessin's eyes paused on the girl carrying a Sephora bag walking towards them. Her auburn dyed hair was long and wavy, falling freely to her back. She wore a short, black dress with puffy sleeves and a nice pair of knee-high leather boots. The girl stood next to Bella, beaming brightly as she stared at a shocked Lessin.
"This is my little sister, Sab_",
"Sabrina?", Lessin finally found her words,
Sabrina chuckled, "Hi Lessin.",
Bella was surprised, "You two know each other?",
"Yeah.", Sabrina nodded, "She was my senior.",
"You look different.", Lessin confessed,
Sabrina shrugged, "School uniforms hide a lot.",
"Very true.", she agreed, "Congrats on graduating. Do you know which university you're going to attend?",
"Phoenix University of Architecture.",
"That's amazing. I'm so proud of you.",
"You look beautiful.", Sabrina finally said it.
She knew Lessin was too cowardly to give out a compliment, and so she paved a path for her.
Lessin scoffed, "Look who's talking. I hardly recognized you.",
Bella watched them interact and ignore her like she wasn't even there. She had never seen her little sister that talkative and actually interested in listening to someone talk before.
"Did you find what you're looking for?", Sabrina asked,
"I actually did.", Lessin pointed at the pair of shoes she came to buy.
"Those shoes look so mature for you.",
"Because they're not for me. They're actually a gift for my mom's bestie.",
"Zabron's mother?", Bella joined the conversation again, spirited,
"Yeah. How did you know?",
"Because that's why I'm here too. Zabron invited me to his mom's birthday party this Saturday. I didn't want to go empty handed.",
"Oh, he did?",
"Yeah. You're going to be there, right?",
"Um …", she sucked her teeth, "I will.",
"Great. We'll see you then.",
"Yeah. It was good seeing you both.",
"Same.", Sabrina replied.
Lessin took the shoes and left with them to the checkout. Sabrina couldn't take her eyes off her. The day that started so dull and dim was now suddenly brightened by the presence of one single person. If it was the universe playing tricks on her, she was all in.
Before Lessin exited the store, she again locked eyes with Sabrina and this time she didn't avoid them. It was a very strange feeling; She was strangely very happy to see her. Only she didn't know why.
***