A Change of Wardrobe

'Did…Did you miss me at all…Calla?'

Calla heard those words very loud and clear. Well…a bit too clear since Vincent's minty breath tickled her face, specifically her nose area that warmed up a bit from the cool breeze of fall.

But....Did she miss him?

If she were to be honest, she was still on guard against Vincent. With how easily she let down her walls against him was very scary, and Calla hated herself for being so weak.

He only focused on her without any connection to her family or twin sister, and she behaved like a dog in heat in search of her mate.

Instinctively hoping to find him after that announcement and even going out of her way to the pharmacy store just because of his message.

If Calla were to be very honest with herself, she actually did not know. On the same day she instinctively searched for him, she vowed never to let down her walls for him again.

And yet….look at her now, feeling safe and comfortable just by his side, like a new butterfly not wanting to hatch out of its cocoon. She even allowed him to touch her, and on the scarred side of her body…her hand and her masked face, which hardly allowed just anyone to do.

''....''

Facing the momentary silence from Calla, Vincent stared at her, lowering his gaze to her pursed lips and lifting them back up to her trembling eyes that silently avoided his gaze.

''It seems I have a long way to go, Calla.'' He merely smiled before retreating away from her, putting a good distance between themselves.

''Do you want to sit?'' Vincent asked, his fingers stretched out, patiently waiting for Calla to take them.

And she did….slowly and hesitantly.

If someone who had been stuck in the dark for so long without any source of light, sees a faint ray of light shining down upon them, he or she would want to move closer to that ray even if it was faint.

That faint ray of light was warm, unlike the darkness that was forever cold.

This was the same for Calla. She had been in the dark for a very long time. Her faint ray of light had been her late twin sister. No matter where, Iris Anderson was a shining light, always drawing those nearer and nearer to her rays.

Perhaps that was why she didn't hate Iris for taking their parents' attention….and Axel kings, her husband.

But now….that faint ray of light was gone, and a new one emerged from nowhere, a bit brighter than the former.

Vincent.

Calla had to admit, Vincent's actions really did touch every corner of her despairing heart. His words gave a sense of security.

Was she that easy?

Calla felt she was.

Was she making a mistake by taking his hand?

Yes, she felt that she was. At the same time, she truly wanted to take his hand. Calla felt indecisive, but her fingers had already clasped with his before her mind could follow. Her body seemed to have had a mind of its own for that short moment.

''Let's go.'' Vincent smiled warmly, his blue eyes like the sky twinkling in happiness. It was very obvious that he was very pleased with her action. The way he slowly intertwined their fingers with no intention of letting go, showed Calla just how much he was delighted with her accepting his hand.

''Hmm….'' Calla lowly hummed, her gaze avoiding his and sinking itself to the ground. At the sight of her textbooks scattered on the ground, her eyes widened for a fraction of the moment.

How could she forget her precious textbooks?

Berating herself inwardly, Calla was about to take her hands out from Vincent's, but the said man didn't even give her any chance of separating their locked hands.

''I will get them.''

Calla raised her gaze to his before giving a nod, acknowledging his words. Her subtle agreement made his handsome features lightened up with a grin.

''Come on…'' He gestured to the tree with a tilt of his head, to which Calla did by stepping over her scattered books.

Once they got to the tree, Vincent made sure that she settled down with her bag pack resting on the side. He then went back to her previous spot and squatted down to pick up her scattered textbooks before returning to her.

In a neatly stacked manner, Vincent placed the textbooks on the side of her bag pack, then sat down on the other side of her figure.

For a moment, it was quiet between them. Calla felt somewhat shy about looking up. His scorching gaze fixed on herself was also making it difficult for her to look up.

''You look different.''

''…...'' Those words made Calla to look down on herself. In the place of her usual over-sized hoodie was a thick black sweater with diamond pattern. Underneath was a white shirt, which was obvious from the folded collar above the neck of the sweater. Her jeans still remained, and her usual sneakers were replaced with ankled-black boots.

It wasn't a new outfit, but it seemed new for Vincent.

''I just felt like changing what I usually wear….'' She mumbled, bringing her knee up and hugging them to chest.

Unlike Lacy's girly outfits, or Rose's elegant outfits like the light blue gown on the day they met and her short knitted white gown paired up with her black knee-high boots, her outfit was more simple and not fitting as a lady from the Anderson family.

It wasn't even worth someone saying that she looked different when it was just a simple thrifted outfit that she loved to wear during the fall season.

''Well, I like it. You look more beautiful without your hair and face covered in that hoodie.''

''….Thank you.'' Her cheeks warmed up a little at his words. Feeling very shy now, Calla hid her face on her knees, hoping that her actions didn't seem weird.

''You look handsome too.'' She followed up with her own compliment.

''...''

Hearing no reply from him, Calla slightly lifted up her head, turning to the side with her ear resting on her knee.

''Vincent?'' She called out questioningly, meeting his stunned face.

''...'' Seeming like her voice was the trigger of snapping him out of it, Vincent focused his gaze on her confused face quite intently. Soon after, he turned away to the other side, his fingers hovering over his lips like a shield.

''Thank you.'' His voice was a bit muffled.

Though it wasn't his first time receiving a compliment about his appearance, Vincent felt a little happy that Calla was the one who complimented. His ears felt a bit hot when he realized that.

'His ears are red.' Calla noted Vincent's unusual reaction. When he didn't speak at first, she worried that he wasn't comfortable with her words. But it seemed to be the opposite given his red ears.

Perhaps Vincent was like her, not used to compliments thrown in his face.

When Calla thought about this, her lips couldn't help but curl into a smile. Suddenly, she felt like teasing the shy Vincent but held the surprising but sudden urges.

'I guess I wanted to have someone by my side….like this….' Calla thought, closing her eyes as the wind caressed her face, making her feel a little sleepy with calm sensation.

It's been long since she relaxed in someone's presence. Her late twin sister was probably the only who she felt at rest with.

''So…do you want to talk about it?'' Vincent's words pulled her out of her sudden drowsiness. Fluttering her eyes open, Calla stared at him, noticing how his gaze was still not on her.

For some reason, she was sure that If Vincent saw her in that calm state, he might have not said anything and stayed with her while she slept.

''About what?'' Calla asked softly. Was there something they needed to talk about?

In response to her question, Vincent finally turned, meeting her gaze in all seriousness, different from his shy countenance.

''About the harassment, Calla.''

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