Auburn...

in the little things she did on his bad days that mattered the most.

Tale got dressed that morning hoping to follow Su Yan to work but luck wasn't on her side. He was gone before she was done getting ready.

She wasn't about to stay home alone for one more day worrying and pondering over her life choices.

It was lonely here.

She sat at the foot of the stairs as she closed her eyes for a moment, resting her forehead against her knees.

She was restless, almost unhappy and down right afraid of what the future held for her personally. Precious' absence left her feeling all her feelings. It was the visit to her parents house, she hadn't been ready for that reunion just yet. She was going to stay away for a bit longer, she was going to find out her next move, figure out what she wanted to do as well as her next plan of action.

But it all blew up in her face over a silly reason.

Now her parents words rang loud in her head all over again and that was where the fear was rooted from. What happens if she isn't able to get another thing going great for her soon enough, she couldn't live with the disappointment her parents will show every single day.

Her spirits was on the dip here and she wasn't going to let it run it's course. She walked to Su Yan's study to make a to-do list. It only took a good one hour but she did it.

On the top of the list was to try four things for the first time making sure she left it vague. There wasn't going to be limits to what she could try, with a little bit of positivity and hope, she quickly rushed out of the house with her list in her bag.

She made a turn back to the house when she recalled she hadn't yet had breakfast.

.

.

"What would you like, you've got plenty of hair a bit on the healthy side but can be better," A young guy most likely her age spoke to her demonstrating with his hand while examining her hair. He looked cheerful and had rushed on over to Tale once she got into the salon. She wasted no time in sitting in his chair for she admired his enthusiasm.

"I am thinking something bold, different. It's my first time so I am not heavy on the specifics," Tale explained.

He nodded as she did, smiling at her from the mirror as he wore his apron and covered her with another.

"Have you ever colored your hair?"

"I've never done anything if I'm being honest, so I'm ready to explore!" She found she was excited.

"How about I give you a little color, nothing too wild for your first time. I believe we should maintain your texture as it is absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you," she agreed to it immediately letting him get to work.

The process was long but she enjoyed every minute of it. If there was anything she lacked patience for, it was getting her hair done which was why it was mostly packed in a neat bun or roughly braided. Sitting down in one spot for over an hour to get one's hair done was a complete waste of time to her but today that feeling was devastatingly dead. She decided she was going to get a manicure and pedicure as well.

Tale was done with her little makeover in four hours. She thanked the boy who had done her hair giving him a hefty tip when she finally looked in the mirror. Her hair was now a slightly dark auburn color. Her finger nails were coated in black and she swore those were the only colors she'll ever get. This was definitely something new. She left the salon promising to return when she got bored of the look as she loved the feeling she had.

The sun burned brightly today and she predicted a cold night as it was usually what happens.

She checked her list again and crossed off one thing off it but she was hungry now as it was noon already and she needed to eat.

Completely oblivious to the looks people gave her she walked to a restaurant three buildings away from the salon she just visited.

"You look beautiful," the girl at the counter whose name tag had Sandra on it remarked.

Shyly tale smiled and thanked her before giving her her order.

Because of the compliment Sandra paid her earlier she was now more aware of the stares people gave her. She was almost used to it at this point, she wasn't the prettiest but people always seem to throw glances her way for reasons best known to them.

The day was not yet far spent so Tale planned a late afternoon at the mall and a movie evening by herself in the cinema. Anything that sparked joy, she was going to indulge herself in it and she did.

It was a little late as she walked a little slowly home carrying two boxes of pizza for dinner. Orange had called to deliver food but because of her absence they had to return it back to the restaurant. She had a gut feeling that Su Yan wasn't home yet and when no car was parked in the driveway she wasn't sure how she felt about it.

The house was empty again, the silence was deafening. Tale dropped the boxes of pizza on the kitchen island and headed upstairs to get ready for dinner, by herself. She wasn't hungry much, stuffing herself full with popcorn and Diet Coke had done it for her.

Staring at herself in the mirror as she slipped into her nightwear after a seemingly long shower, she allowed herself a little smile. It was the first time she was going to be wearing the nightwear. The fabric was soft to the touch and it went all down to her feet but it outlined every part of her body perfectly. Su Yan definitely knew how to shop she concluded as she checked out her side profile. She ran her hands through her hair still appreciating the difference, it even felt softer than normal. Today was well spent. She picked up the robe that came with what she wore and slid it on before finally getting out of her spell.

She strolled to the kitchen and decided to have a drink while she waited for the boys to get home.

Moments later she dozed off with her head in her hands.