Who’s That?

"What do you think you're doing! You're supposed to pay attention in class! Not look outside the whole time."

I winced at the sound of my professor's sharp voice. "Sorry ma'am." I sighed and picked up my pencil unwillingly.

There was still a cool breeze outside as I walked out of the large building. I held onto my backpack tightly and waited for Xi Fang. "Hey girl!" I turned around and saw Xi Fang's delicate figure skipping out of the building. "I'm thinking about going to the mall today. Wanna come?" she asked casually. I hesitated before I spoke. Shopping was never really my kind of thing.

"I don't know.. I was thinking of watching the first episode of my new drama," I said. Xi Fang stared at me with an adorable expression on her face that reminded me of a toddler's. I immediately felt guilty because I knew that I was always her go-to shopping buddy. Xi Fang had a very big friend group and well, my only friend was her. I always felt confused as to why she had so many gorgeous, model-worthy girls to go pick out short, skimpy dresses with her but always insisted on going with me.

"Please, you don't want me to buy cute dresses so alone, do you? And we can buy you some new clothes. Look at what you're wearing right now," said Xi Fang.

I think I look fine..." I grumbled. But I knew that she was right. She smiled as I led her to the car.

-At Feng City Mall-

I trudged along behind Xi Fang as she squealed at every decent dress she saw. "Hurry up and choose!" I exclaimed as she picked up an intricately embroidered dress with gold sewing and put it down again. "You could've just gotten that one," I mumbled.

"I need to take my time. Shopping is a talent!" she replied. I sighed and adjusted the basket in my arms. We walked through the halls and sections until my legs were trembling.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," I said. I needed to rest for a few minutes.

"Alright," said Xi Fang without turning her head from the beautiful, sparkly gown she was observing. I wobbled all the way to the bathroom and observed the scene. Every stall was already taken by someone. I groaned and walked up to the mirror that was next to the stalls. I stared back at my reflection and realized that my long, light brown hair that I tied up in a messy bun had nearly fallen loose. I decided to take the whole bun out and let all my hair fall on my face. I looked back to the stalls but there were still women in there doing their business or just taking a rest from shopping like I wanted to do.

-A Few Minutes Later-

I walked out of the bathroom and scowled at the idea of going back to Xi Fang and choosing out dresses. I decided to go out for some fresh air and walked out of the building. I breathed in the fresh breeze and held out my fingers as the wind slid through them. I gingerly walked away from the huge Feng City Mall and onto the sidewalk, observing the different shops and restaurants. Seeing a couple sitting outside an ice stream shop, licking off a single cone and giggling, I smiled. I've always wanted to do that with Bao-Zhi when we were dating in high school but he always said that it was unsanitary. I was always confused as to why he said that because kissing was unsanitary too, so what was the difference? My nose was filled by a delightful aroma as I walked by a sweets shop.

"Mmm, I've been craving some cake for a while now," I said to myself. As I walked towards the small shop, I caught a glimpse of someone sitting not so far from me. I shrugged my shoulders and continued walking into the sweet-filled shop of joy.

Carrying a delicious chocolate fudge cake in my hands, I carefully walked out. I knew that I would have to eat it myself since Xi Fang was on another diet. My mind drifted to a conversation we had a few days ago.

"Girl how can you be so naturally skinny. I'm so sick of having to go through these stupid diets and preventing myself from eating delicious foods."

"I think you look fine Xi Fang, there's nothing wrong with you," I said

"You know what, whenever you bring home any junk food, my mouth waters so much and I'd end up eating it. From now on, don't eat any junk food in front of me," said Xi Fang.

My mind drifted away from the conversation. I sighed as I looked down at the cake. "Xi Fang won't be happy about me buying this, would she?" I said to myself. I looked forward again and noticed that the person that I saw earlier was still sitting there. "Who would be sitting on the dirty ground in the middle of here?" I told myself. Curiosity took the best of me and I carefully walked towards him, the cake trembling in my hands. As I took a closer look at the person, my eyes widened in surprise.