The Market (1)

Okashi started writing down her list. The first ten points were written down almost immediately. However, after that, she had to stop and ponder before adding more to the list. The list soon grew and so did Adrianna's eyes. Humans had to look for this many things? Or was Okashi being too nitpicky? When she saw that Okashi was actually very serious about what she was writing, Adrianna paid more attention. Together, they would discuss certain points before adding them to the list.

Soon, a long list consisting of over forty pointers about what a girl should look for in her life partner was created.

Satisfied, Okashi placed her pen back in her bag and stood up triumphantly as she folded and handed the list to Adrianna.

"Here, take it. And don't let anyone bully you into marriage unless you are happy, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" replied Adrianna with a chuckle before getting up to go to their next class.

On their way, Okashi said, "Adrianna, Niiya texted me that you will be coming to the creek tonight with us."

"Yes, he was pestering me so much! I don't know what will I do there. It's not like I am looking to get into a relationship," answered Adrianna with disinterest.

"It's not always about relationships. Just come with me and have fun!"

"Okashi, you will be swarmed by the boys as usual, and I don't want to be left alone. I hardly have any friends other than you. So... you know, it becomes awkward. It's not that I want to meddle in your interactions, but what would I do otherwise?" said Adrianna with concern. She became anxious thinking about it.

"Oh, please. Stop being so apprehensive about something you haven't even seen!" said Okashi, nudging her with her elbow. Then, she added, "We will come pick you up at 8PM. Wear something nice!"

"I wear nice clothes. What do you mean?"

Okashi rolled her eyes and said, "Look Adrianna, you need to look alluring over there. If you will wear rugged jeans and a shirt, you will look like a country dame. Do you have any trendy clothes?"

"I haven't been to many parties, so there was no need," she replied, remembering all the parties her father would host for his pack and their allies where she would always be asked to stay away.

"Oh, then that's fine! Let's go buy you a nice dress for the evening," said an over-enthusiastic Okashi.

"No, Okashi! I won't buy a dress just to go to the creek! I will just wear my usual jeans and a shirt."

"Don't even think about it girl. You cannot wear that lame outfit if you are going out with Okashi," she said, being proud of herself.

The two of them argued until they had to part ways to get to their respective departments. Okashi refused to back down, and it was eventually decided that after their classes were over, they were going to shop at the only fashion street in town.

When Adrianna reached her classroom, Niiya was already waiting for her.

He asked, "What took you so long?" Having been waiting for a while, he looked furious.

"Umm… Okashi and I were making plans to go shopping…" she said sheepishly. She didn't want to tell him about the dress part because she was just too uncomfortable.

Niiya nodded in displeasure.

"Did you agree to write the play for the theater club?" asked Adrianna in an attempt to divert the topic.

"Yes, I got them started. I will resume writing tomorrow. Can't spend so much time writing their play; I have my stuff to do," replied Niiya annoyingly. He had only written one page before rushing out to look for her, but she had already gone somewhere. Sustaining all the romantic gazes from the girls who were passing by, he had been waiting for her in the classroom for the past half an hour, .

"Okay…" she said with a shrug.

They became silent again. Niiya took out a book from his bag and started reading it while Adrianna continued copying the notes that she hadn't gotten to in the morning. Her thoughts would keep going back to the encounter she had had with the neotide. It worried her and she wanted to convey it to her grandfather. She was frustrated by the fact that her grandfather did not own a mobile phone because according to him, wolves could read each other's thoughts if they belonged to the same pack, so what was the point of having a phone? However this only worked within a certain distance, so it was inconvenient under large distances.

After class was over, they left their department only to find Okashi talking to a bulky guy who was carrying a bouquet of roses for her. He had been religiously pursuing Okashi from a week now, but Okashi would always slip away from him. Currently, he was literally begging her to accept the roses in his hands.

Okashi smiled at him, took the bouquet, and said, "Please don't do this again. I am kindly accepting these roses today, only because I really pity you, but if you bring more, I will trash them!"

A passerby laughed at the scene. Okashi taking the bouquet left the guy completely confused. Did her taking the bouquet mean she had accepted him?

Okashi sashayed over to where Adrianna and Niiya were standing while saying, "I am just too cool!"

Niiya rolled his eyes at his sister's dramatic actions before heading to the parking lot with Adrianna and Okashi in tow.

"Adrianna and I are going to the market," Okashi declared. "Niiya, you can take Adrianna's motorcycle and go home. We will take the car."

Niiya's anger intensified. "I will just go to the market with you guys!"

Adrianna quickly said, "Yes, that's okay. You two take the car. I will follow the two of you on my motorcycle."

"No, no!" protested Okashi, but Adrianna had already started up her motorcycle and was driving away while shouting, "See you both there!"