14 Girls stuff

"Vera," she said with her soft voice, casting a reproachful look at her friend.

"Good for her," Vera continued. "She's not really pretty. I do not know why Cedric gazes at her like that... and Alex." The last name made her grimace.

"Is he your new craze, the popular Alex Krupp?" The girl narrowed her eyes watching Vera. She frowned. "You know, between us... I do not like that you're fond of him like that."

"And why shouldn't I be?" Vera was upset now.

"Well, do what you want. After all...," she waved her hand as if she was no longer interested.

"No. Don't do that! Tell me what you know!" Vera pleaded.

"I know nothing about—" She turned her head to the left, looking away.

"Even your instincts, right?" There was a touch of bitterness in the voice of her friend and Vera reacted.

She took her by the shoulders and pressed against her, letting her head rest over on Vera's head, and sighed. "Oh! You know we did not know each other before yesterday and I will not let you suffer. It's for your own good, but now I think he ignores you completely."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Vera escaped from their embrace with disdain.

"I'll tell you what I noticed. Now—"

"I could see how he looks at that Fanny," Vera said in a tiny voice, examining the ground.

"Yes, no more illusion."

They walked side by side in silence.

I had returned to her apartment building after a trip back to my hotel, in the morning. I could not prevent myself from the need to follow her. When I had been away from her home this morning, a part of me shuddered at leaving her alone and helpless, while another part was delighted, knowing that I was going to find her again. I dressed instinctively thinking of her. I shuddered when the joy formed into a tiny square in the center of my chest where my heart was located. I did not know if this feeling was a good omen or not, if it was mine or if it belonged to the monster. She was not at all aware of what I was planning. The girl did not know of the monsters existence. She did not know that the beast was feeling jubilation. And I never killed innocents.

She left her home early, smiling at the sun and ran to the subway station. I followed her to the university, and by walking the streets like a madman, I awaited her at the exit after class. She hung around a long time, watching her phone, until her friend arrived. I hid myself like a thief, I walked away, returning, staying in the shadows so that she did not see me.

"He's really out of luck... that Alex," Vera said smugly.

"Oh," sighed her friend.

"I am boring you!"

I listened with one ear to what the girl said about Vera's story. I watched eagerly every movement, unable to take my eyes off her.

"No! You don't annoy me. You're hurting me by aching like this," she said sadly. Then she giggled. "I hope you will get over it during the holidays. Come!"

I looked from afar. Her hair floated around her face as she walked. I did not hear their exchange, so I was caught by the spectacle that she offered and although I listened to Vera's monologue, which flowed endlessly, it did not interest me and I was not paying attention. I could distinguish just the tone of her friend and I understood her meaning, while I followed behind her. I was drunk on the warm tone of her voice, just from listening to its music. That was troubling. I lost the thread of the discussion. I was somewhat stunned just looking at her there. She did not seem real. What did she have that was so special? What effect did she have on me? I felt unbalanced. Were my overdeveloped instincts still working? Everything was so new to me...

Suddenly she was no longer there! A ringing phone sounded nearby.

"Alma," It was the voice of Vera behind me.

I love her name - Soul-, so original. What it represented to me was something that was banned forever for me! Alma! Soul—

I turned and I noticed Vera gesticulating, shouting into her phone. I had passed them without realizing it, carried away by my inner turmoil.

I followed her closely and I entered the shop. Floods of fragrance, sweet, strong, cunning, or simple and direct, enveloped me. I felt as if I wanted to let them wrap around me and analyze them. I closed my eyes. Some of these scents were from animal such as musk and ambergris. Others were from plants, based on flowers, fruits, and resins or obtained artificially. Synthetic, for the most part.

"I walked ahead of you to enter the shop. But you kept walking by, talking! You have to stop that; you're starting to go crazy for this Alex!" She was trying to reason with her friend, which was challenging. "That's why we made an appointment yesterday. Just to come here."

"I'm sorry. You're right. I am going crazy."

Vera made a face, sulked and looked away.

"Poof! Come! We have work to do," she said laughing and pulling her friend forward by her hand.

I was determined not to lose sight of them. They passed indifferently in front of the Men's perfume section – Alma at least. Vera cast a look inside. She wondered which one was Alex's favorite fragrance, surely. When I passed in front of the Women's perfume section, I got scared! A lion in the jungle would not have this effect on me, but now all these walls with bottles of all sizes, colors and smells, filled the shelves, I wanted to escape. And there were so many people inside. I did not want to lose them in the crowd. It was, in a way, my wish to find the fragrance of my dream.

I approached the intricate bottles quietly, looking at the names inscribed on the labels. If the names didn't help me, I would have to put my nose to work.

"What do you think of this?" Vera placed a sample near her nose. Her hair fell to the side of her face, hiding her profile.

"No! Too much."

"Too much what?"

"Too sweet."

Vera put down the sample and picked up another tester and sprayed another one. Black Orchid! A bit much, I could not bear the smell for long.

"This one?"

"No!"

"Why?"

"It stings my nose."

Me too!

Alma studied the labels. Vera tested a few more and selected two scents, unable to choose between them.

"What are you looking at?"

"I don't know," she shrugged and continued her exploration.

I was now closer to them, having taken the place left vacant by a man who moved away to the right. Vera turned around and I stepped aside to let her pass, turning halfway back. I looked at the labels just as Alma had done. How were these names chosen? The names had no meaning.