Emily’s hands lifted two dresses in front of her. The shades and tones matched her complexion but she didn’t know which color to go for. One of them was a soft blue with a flared skirt. The other had a bodycon cut in clear pink. Both shapes flattered her frame.
Yet, which color should she pick?
She turned around and faced a mirror.
She placed the pink one in front of her. The saturated color contrasted against her fair skin and platinum blonde hair. It made her even paler—sickly even. If she had darker hair, it might actually work. It would be more suitable to someone like Lauren or Alex.
She tried the blue one next. The color blended with her profile. Unlike the first one, it didn’t wash her out. It complimented her skin and hair instead. It also gave her a healthy glow.
Emily squealed.
The video she watched about ‘The Art of Color’ really changed her life. How could she go into fashion without this knowledge? A lot of colors were in trend and the media used them most of the time. As a designer, she’d need to pick ones that suit her clients instead of following the craze.
She couldn’t wait to declutter her wardrobe and apply all that she learned from the ‘Womanly’ Series. Anything in her closet that wouldn’t make the cut, she could donate.
Emily scoured the shop for similar items in different colors and types.
She also picked some clothings for her mom. She made a mental list of people she’d buy souvenirs for. Some people in her home acted like she had been gone for a month! Their dramatic tendencies mader her laugh at times but this was a bit too much! Hopefully, her mother could give her a new sibling soon.
They clearly needed someone else to dote on.
Emily wrote down Aunt Lilly’s address for her delivery. Since she’d spend time with Alex in the morning, she wouldn’t have the chance to pick them up the way to the airport.
She thanked the clerk and left the store.
The mall didn’t have the largest structure but Emily didn’t mind. Sometimes the smaller ones had more unique finds. She couldn’t wait to graduate and enter college. That way she could wear whatever she wanted! Express herself in her clothing!
She bought an ice cream in a cone. It had a cheesy vanilla base. Topped with red velvet cookie bits, it almost tasted like a cheesecake.
Her eyes darted around the mall. She checked the displays, hoping something would catch her eye. She reached an optical shop. A few designs of sunglasses piqued her interest. She licked her ice cream while she browsed.
Emily smiled at a pair. She pictured her grandmother, Jaime, in them. The high points of the lens frame would make her look like the sassy woman she is. Emily straightened her spine and headed for the entrance.
She skidded a step.
“What are you doing here?” Emily groaned, stomping a foot on the floor.
Jae walked out of the shop. He raised his eyebrows at the sight of her. His glasses slipped a bit from the movement, “I came to get new contacts.”
“Oh…” Emily mumbled. Then, she said, “Well, good luck with that. See ya!”
She turned around and went back into the crowd. Her feet moved at a fast pace. She zoomed past people. Her gaze stared straight ahead rather than at the shops. She did her best to widen the distance between her and the big blonde oaf.
“And where are you going?” Jae asked behind her, hot on her heels.
Emily picked up speed, “Anywhere you’re not in.”
Jae chuckled. He jogged a bit to amuse her. He stayed by her side, “Aw, come on, don’t be like that. I have to wait an hour for my contacts. Mind keeping me company?”
“I do. Buh-bye!”
She changed directions, making a left turn. The shops in this wing were all under the food industry. None of them offered her an escape. She needed a big store with lots of people and racks. When Emily saw another way, she turned to the right.
She ended up in the amusement section.
“Wait” Jae caught her arm, stopping Emily in her tracks, “Alright. How about this? Why don’t we compete in the arcade?”
His thumb pointed at the one nearest to them. Children and adults loitered around the outside. Flashing lights filled up its ceiling. Machines of all shapes and sizes scattered inside. Various sounds echoed out of it.
The competitive spirit in Emily rose. Oh, the big blonde oaf knew how to push her buttons. She tugged her arm back, staying in place. She crossed her arms over her chest and squinted at the games available. Then, she gave Jae a side-eye.
“What are the stakes?”
Jae grinned in victory, “Loser pays for dinner.”
Emily lifted her chin an inch, “Dine-in or take out?”
“Winner gets to choose,” he answered, clapping his hands together. He rubbed his palms a bit before offering her a hand, “So… do we have a deal?”
Emily squinted her eyes and weighed her options. She technically didn’t have anything better to do. A chance to beat him at something plus get a free dinner… she’d be lying if she said that it wasn’t tempting. Jae wrinkled his nose, mocking her. His look showed her that he doubted she could win.
She huffed and took his hand, “Deal.”
===
The arcade turned out to be louder than they thought. Not only did every machine play a different tune but also the amount of loud kids turned out to be a lot.
Once they entered the vicinity, they got a better look of the place. Another part of its area had been hidden behind a store. Most of its walls had been covered in games such as basketball, racing and dance platforms. The back portion had soundproof karaoke booths. Customers needed to ask help from the ushers to use them.
Jae bought the tokens they needed.
Logically, they should share the payment—except a short blonde elf pointed out that it was his idea. He should be the one to invest in it.
When he walked back, he noticed a few guys ogling at Emily as she fixed her hair to a ponytail. Jae figured she did it to get into the game mood. He approached her and stood close. Then, he brushed her bangs in place.
The other guys went away.
“So, what will we compete in?” Jae asked.
Emily turned around and he kept a close distance from her back—near enough for them not to touch. She rubbed her chin and assessed all the available games. The basketballs were out of the question since he had the advantage. Everything else looked fair. Narrowing it down seemed troublesome.
When she didn’t say anything, Jae suggested, “How about we play first to get 3? Whoever loses in a game can pick the next one?”
“Then, we’ll decide the first one together?”
“Sure, what do you have in mind?”
Emily figured they should start with something simple. As the first game, it was more of a way to kick off the competition. They needed to be at equal grounds. Maybe a game that didn’t involve standing? But what?
Two kids stood up from two chairs next to them. They walked away and left the game empty. They more or less had her height. It shouldn’t be a problem. Grinning, Emily skipped over to one of the chairs.
Music blasted in her ears from the chair’s speakers. She could see most of the screen. That was good. She could just adjust the view settings. Her feet also reached the pedals perfectly.
She gripped the steering wheel, ready to take on a race.
Jae took the chair next to her. He reached for a lever, adjusting the chair to the back. He searched the token slots and followed the instructions.
The commercial on the screen disappeared. It switched to the opening credits of the game. Then, the selection menu came out. They had a choice of car brand, car model and car color. Using the steering wheel to navigate and the go pedal for confirmation, they set up for the race.
Jae picked a Lamborghini Aventador S. It rotated on a circular platform in the color, dark blue. The graphics almost made him believe it’s under the chrome color series. A cartoon muse stood on one side while the other listed down its perks and performance.
It didn’t really matter. He just felt happy that they had it.
He glanced over at the other screen.
Emily, on the other hand, also picked out a Lamborghini Aventador. Hers glistened like a fiery rose. Catching sight of his choice, she snorted. They had the same specs and the same track which made them on equal grounds.
They’d need to rely on pure skills alone.
The game prepared the field and the countdown started. The players looked at each other. The challenge gleamed in their eyes. Jae cracked his knuckles.
“Ready to lose, shortie?” He smirked.
Emily clicked her tongue. She stared back at the screen. Hands on the wheel and foot ready to ham on the pedal, she waited for the race to start. She found herself 6th in line to the front. Her fingers drummed lightly.
Then, the traffic light turned green and the flag waved.
“Bring it on, titan.”
Both players floored the pedals.
