"Do you have a best friend?"
Hermia laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. "I… don't even have a friend."
"Perfect! Then it's settled—I'm your best friend from now on. Deal?" Jasmine extended a manicured hand with a confident grin.
Hermia stared at her, dumbstruck. This was happening too fast, but… why not? She reached out hesitantly. "Deal."
Jasmine squealed again, doing a little twirl. "Yes! My wish came true! I told my brother I was going to find my soulmate today, and here you are!"
Hermia raised a brow. "Your… soulmate?"
Jasmine waved her hand dismissively. "Best friend soulmate. My brother said I couldn't just 'find' a friend, but look! I told him there were girls out there just like me—unique, misunderstood, alone but not lonely. And now I've found you!"
Hermia chuckled softly. Jasmine's energy was so dramatic it was almost theatrical, but it was endearing.
As they chatted, Hermia started to relax, but something caught her attention.
A group of men in black suits lingered at the edges of the crowd, their gazes locked on her and Jasmine.
They blended in with the bustling crowd, but Hermia's instincts screamed danger.
She leaned closer to Jasmine, her voice low. "Jasmine, can you run in heels?"
Jasmine's eyes widened. "I've always wanted to try, but my brother says it's undignified."
"Well, you're about to," Hermia said, grabbing Jasmine's arm tightly.
"What? Why?" Jasmine asked, her voice rising in alarm.
"Run!" Hermia hissed, pulling Jasmine into a sprint.
The moment Hermia yelled "Run!" the air grew electric. The two girls bolted, weaving through the bustling mall crowd.
Jasmine lagged slightly behind, struggling to keep pace. Hermia's grip on Jasmine's wrist was firm, her palm damp with adrenaline.
"Why are we running?" Jasmine gasped, stumbling slightly in her heels. "What's going on?"
"Just trust me," Hermia replied breathlessly, her tone tense. Her mind was racing as fast as her feet.
Who were these men?
What did they want? Her instincts screamed danger, and she wasn't about to stick around to find out.
The bright lights of the mall blurred in Hermia's vision as they darted between displays and dodged startled shoppers.
The noise of the crowd—the murmur of voices, the occasional squeal of a child, the echo of footsteps—melted into a chaotic symphony.
She could feel the presence of the men in black closing in, their dark suits making them stand out like shadows in the vibrant atmosphere of the mall.
Jasmine kept stumbling in her heels, her lack of coordination slowing them down. "Hermia, seriously, why are we running?" she pressed, her voice laced with frustration.
Hermia cast a quick glance over her shoulder. The men were still following, their expressions unreadable but their movements purposeful.
She couldn't explain everything now. All she could focus on was finding a place to hide.
Finally, Hermia spotted a decoration store tucked into the corner of the mall.
Without hesitation, she yanked Jasmine inside and pulled her behind the door, crouching low.
"What is going on?" Jasmine whispered harshly, her cheeks flushed and her breathing uneven.
"Keep your voice down," Hermia hissed, peeking out to make sure they hadn't been seen entering the store.
Her heart pounded against her ribcage, the adrenaline coursing through her making her hands shake. "There are these men in black suits. They look dangerous. They've been following us, and I had to protect us."
Jasmine blinked, her forehead creased in confusion. "Men in black suits?" she repeated, running Hermia's description through her mind. "Big, serious-looking guys?"
"Yes!" Hermia nodded fervently, her eyes darting around the store as if expecting the men to burst through at any moment. "They've been monitoring us, watching our every move."
Jasmine's confusion melted into realization, and then, absurdly, amusement. "Wait a second," she said, her voice low but incredulous. "Are you talking about my security detail?"
Hermia froze, her wide eyes locking onto Jasmine. "Your security detail?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jasmine sighed dramatically, waving a hand. "Yes, my security. They're assigned by my brother and dad to follow me everywhere. They're not dangerous; they're just overprotective."
Hermia's face burned with embarrassment. "Oh my God," she mumbled, burying her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
"No, no!" Jasmine dismissed her apology with a laugh. "This is amazing! I've never actually run away from them before. You've just made my day."
Before Hermia could process that, Jasmine pulled out her phone and powered it off with a mischievous grin.
"What are you doing?" Hermia asked, her tone laced with caution.
"Turning off my phone," Jasmine said nonchalantly.
Hermia's eyes widened. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if something happens?"
Jasmine waved her concern away. "Relax. It's fine. They'll find me eventually." Looping her arm through Hermia's, she declared, "Now come on! Let's go shopping!"
Jasmine's carefree attitude left Hermia speechless.
Despite the chaos they had just escaped, Jasmine seemed completely unbothered, her energy infectious.
"But I—" Hermia began, only to be cut off.
"What are you even here for?" Jasmine asked brightly.
"I needed a dress for a function tonight," Hermia admitted, feeling shy under Jasmine's vibrant energy.
"Perfect! I know just the place!" Jasmine announced, taking charge as she led Hermia through the mall with confident strides.
Hermia followed, grateful for Jasmine's direction but increasingly apprehensive as they arrived at a luxurious store.
The polished floors gleamed under chandeliers, and the brand name above the entrance exuded exclusivity.
"Here we are!" Jasmine chirped, pushing the door open.
Hermia hesitated, intimidated by the opulence of the place.
She glanced down at her modest purse, anxiety bubbling up. She wasn't sure she could afford anything here.
Before she could voice her concern, the moment was interrupted. Three men in black suits strode into the store, their eyes locking onto Jasmine.
"There's a call for you, Miss Jasmine," one of them announced, his tone formal but firm.
Jasmine groaned, rolling her eyes. "How did you find me?" she whined, glaring at the phone in the man's hand.
"Mr. Elvis is calling," he said simply.
"I'm not taking that!" Jasmine declared, crossing her arms. "I know you told on me."
Turning to Hermia, Jasmine sighed. "I'm so sorry, Hermia. I have to go. Enjoy shopping, okay?"
She's leaving me?!