Luna Raine

XIX. Vanity Sells

Raine's POV:

The streets were cruel, swarmed with shoppers and honking horns. Helen paid the driver and I grabbed my purse. I held it firmly against my stomach.

Helen looks at me and the smile on her face disappears.

"What?" I ask.

"You look like someone who stepped out of her house for the first time in her life," she responds. It wasn't far from the truth. I'm certain I have an arrow over my head that says - I'm stupid. Rob me.

"Better be safe than sorry," I said.

She grabs my hand, removing it from the hardness of the gun inside my purse. "You need to chill. It's a shopping plaza. What's the worst thing that can happen?"

A year ago, that would be my mindset. What's the worst thing that can happen? It's so casual to think that, to believe that. Particularly before you witnessed a murder scene, got kidnapped, drugged, beat up, separated by the only family member you have left, and then thrown into another world.

Now, all I can see is that bad. All I see is: what could've happened, not what couldn't happen.

Imagination is a painful and tiresome ability. Inside my mind, I create scenarios that are unlikely to happen - or so I may assume.

During my first few weeks in this world, I rarely slept because I thought I was drugged into a coma. In reality, I'm being carried away into another country and being sold off into p**********n. A scenario that would've happened if the truck didn't crash into the ocean.

A part of me still believes I'm still in a coma state unwillingly to face reality.

Right now, as my eyes wander around to see everyone bustling left and right; chitter chattering with others while carrying massive shopping bags. It makes me want to collapse to the ground. I can't stop wondering if someone will drag me into an alley later or stab me in public.

Helen squeezed my hand, "We're waiting in line. The store is closed. There will be other people and no one will take you without taking me." Her attempts to reassure me only causes my anxiety to grow. It made me remember how mom sacrificed herself to keep me alive.

Helen smiles and leads me to the mall. The outside was extravagant but the inside made me speechless. It was a grand central with glasses and potted plants everywhere. When we pass by a plant, I touch it - it's real. It reassures me to see security cameras and guards in nearly every corner.

Instead of being on her phone, Helen would hold my hand and talk to me while I lick the ice cream she purchased earlier. I can't help but smile. Helen reminds me of my mom. She would do the same thing when I was younger. After dad passed, I got extreme social anxiety and thus my unhealthy addiction toward games. Inside the gaming world, there's no one that can hurt me except for the relative smack talk.

Then again, maybe it wasn't social anxiety. It was an escape. The same reason why I applied for a scholarship to a boarding school.

To hide from it all.

Mom knows why I did it which why she fully supported my decision to leave town. Sometimes, especially during moments like this, I regret my decision.

How I run away from my problems.

If I knew that one day I would be separated by the only person I have left, I wouldn't have left her all alone in that house.

Mom couldn't do it.

She couldn't move on.

Helen squeezes my hand and I look up from the white tiles, "We're almost there," she squeals. Her legs bending and unbending continuously like a hyperactive puppy.

I smiled as we took another step closer. In a sense, I was proud of myself. I haven't had a single panic attack.

I didn't know how long we stood in line, but my legs were aching. I lean against the glass window and exhale slightly. My hands are sticky from the melting ice cream and I want to wash them but I don't want to go to the restroom by myself.

A lady came out and smiled, "Here's your ticket to enter," she said. They handed out tickets earlier but they ran out so the associates had to go get more from the back of the store.

Vanity sells.

The associate informs us that the ticket will allow us to enter the store to purchase our desired item, but we're not allowed to enter twice. However, once we're inside the store, the ticket is invalid and we will have to wait again. She stamps both of our wrists and in mere seconds, the drawing of a cross disappears. My eyes narrow, attempting to make head and tail of it. It looks like two swords. I peek past the line to see a long line inside the store.

And the regrets reappear.

My bladder.

"Are you okay?" Helen asks.

"I need to pee," I whisper.

Helen looks around and I follow her sight to the nearest bathroom across the plaza. It wasn't far from where we're lined up. Helen's face scrunched up but she didn't say anything. It was up to me to make the decision.

I can wait in line until we purchase the item and potentially not piss in my pants or I can pee now and rush back in line with Helen since I have a ticket to my rightful position.

The biggest problem is that if we both left our place in line, we may have to wait again in the back. The ticket of admission is simply to ensure no one cuts.

"Can you hold?" Helen asks.

I shook my head, "I feel like I'm about to explode," I said. We've been in line for almost five hours.

"I'm sorry," Helen apologized once more. "I'll treat you to dinner right after this." She feels guilty, I know it. She shouldn't though. Helen had been doing everything she could to make me feel comfortable during the whole trip.

I bit my lower lip and rushed towards the restroom.

Someone grabs my arm and my eyes widen, "Are you selling your ticket?" A young girl asks.

I shook my head.

"I'll pay you. Two hundred for your ticket."

I looked at Helen who was glaring at the girl. She took a step forward.

"No. No. It's my ticket." I removed her hands and ran towards the restroom. As much as I love to make an extra buck, I already promise a friend; I'll help her out.

I'm grateful for the lack of line at the mall. In all honesty, I was ready to shoot for the males' bathroom. Then, force myself to look down in embarrassment afterward.

The moment I stepped inside the proper restroom, my desire to pee de-escalate. I had to admire the bathroom. There was a nice pink sofa in the corner, glass bowls to wash hands in, and it smells like lemon. There's even a lady in the corner with a candy bowl. If this is the second largest mall bathroom, I wonder what the largest mall looks like. Here I am, at the mall and I think about bathrooms.

I shot for a stall to witness odd buttons on the side of the toilet. There's a click behind me and I turned around to see the wall says, occupied, in bright red. The stall automatically locks itself. I feel like I entered a horror movie. "What in the fu-" I didn't finish the sentence and went for it. Something better not shoots up my ass. Once I finished, I stared at the multiple buttons. "Excuse me."

"Yes?" The lady from outside the stalls responds.

"Which one is the flushed button?"

"The blue one."

I look down to see three blue buttons, "Which blue one?"

"The third blue one."

"From the top or bottom?"

"Top."

I press the button and squeal when I feel something warm. Immediately, I pulled my pants up and stared at the swirling bowl. I did not expect to feel something warm up my butt. I unlock the stall and rush towards the sink. It's automatic. I grab the paper towel.

"Candy?" The lady asks.

I shook my head, "No thank you." As much as I enjoy consuming sweets, I think I'll pass on bathroom food.

I lowered my head and made my way towards the store. My phone buzzes and I grab it to see Wolfie's name. I've been avoiding him ever since I started this trip. My lower lip inches through my teeth and I pick up the call. "Hello?"

"Hey."

My finger side down the strap of the purse, "How are you?"

"Good." His voice was sweet and scratchy like he has a cold. "You're finally picking up my call."

"I'm on a trip with my friend so things are a bit busy."

He laughs, "I can hear that."

"I'm sorry for not picking up. It's just-" I sat down on the bench. "I needed some time to think things through."

"I understand. I was being a bit too pushy and I apologize for that. It's just-" a momentary silence, "I like you alot and this is the first time I actually like a girl this much."

I exhale steadily, "I like you too."

"You know I didn't choose to participate in this whole soulmate thing."

"I know," I said. I swallow the lumpy sensation inside my throat. "But, you know. Having to know who your soulmate is...not bad."

"I know. It's fortunate. I should be very grateful because not many other species get this privilege." He smacks his lips. "But, I still want you to know. If I didn't have this mating bond hanging over my head. I would love it if you gave me a chance."

At that moment, a grey cloud hung over my head. The more we talked about what could've happened, the more depressed I got. The mating bond was an excuse. I could never be together with the guy on the other side of the phone. It's not possible. I can't develop feelings for someone, anyone, in this world.

Maybe, that's the reason why I kept Helen and Cory at arm's length. The more you feel for someone, the harder it gets to leave.

I don't want to leave without my heart.

"I would love to give us a chance too."

"Even if I am a forty years old man with a sweet voice living in my parent's basement?"

I laugh, "Well, that may change things."

"I got something to show you," he said. "Check your messages."

Sometimes Wolfie and I send pictures to each other. We don't do it often and it's mainly photos of random items. I scroll through my messages to find a photo of a smile.

I swallow at the picture.

Perfect teeth inside perfect plump lips.

I couldn't see the upper half of his face, but I can tell he's really good looking.

My eyes narrow to see a nice place in the background. Wolfie got money. Damn it mating bond and differences in worlds!

I place the phone back against my ear, "You're showing off."

"A little bit." He hums slowly, "How do I look?"

"I've seen better." I can see Helen entering the store. "Why did you send that?"

"To assure you that you're not speaking to a forty something-year-old man."

I laugh, "Okay. Wait." I took a photo of my legs and sent it to him. "Check your messages."

I wait for a moment until he returns. "That's all I get? How do I know you're not an old lady with nice legs?"

Everyone continues to bustle around me, but I'm lost in the conversation with the guy on the other side of the phone. "Oh yeah. I'm a cougar. Reeling in those youthful desperate young boys."

"Hey," he said softly. "Even if we can't be together. Is it okay if we still talk?"

"Desperate for a friend?" I question teasingly.

His silence said all.

"Sure," I respond. "We can be friends and maybe, one day, we'll meet."

"I would like that. Thanks."

"For what?"

"For talking things through with me instead of ghosting me. I really appreciate that Little Piglet. Truly."

A smile broke out on my face. "Thank you for telling me how you feel. If things were different-" much more different, "then I would've wanted to give us a chance."

"That's nice to know."

I couldn't see Helen anymore. "I got to go."

"Talk later?"

"Yeah."

"Goodbye Little Piglet."

"Goodbye, Wolfie."

I ended the call and made my way towards the front of the store. I can feel the envious look of those in line when I step in line with Helen. We hand the lady our tickets. There's nothing to be envious about, after all, we had our fair share of waiting in line.

When I entered the store, my eyes widened at the extravagant decor. It seems like the bathroom is a reflection of the whole mall.

Helen didn't question who I was on the phone with. Instead, we talked about how nice the store looks. At the register, Helen placed down two small glass bottles. The cashier gathered our information, probably to sell it later. I'm not sure, it's a theory. Then, she placed the bottle inside two slots and it disappeared into the wall. Seconds later steam appeared. My eyes narrowed when a box came out of the bottle. The lady opened the box and showed it to us before she slips it inside a soft bag.

That was it.

My eyes widen at the price.

It was three months' worth of paycheck.

Helen paid and we left.

"The bottle was empty?" I ask.

Helen nods, "You don't really think they would put the potion inside, do you?" I shrug. "It's to prevent thievery. They could steal, but they would only steal the empty bottle." Helen cuddles close to the bag. "I hope you're worth all the birthday and Christmas money."

I couldn't help but laugh as she snuggles the bag into her chest like a baby. She even kissed it a few times. Helen turns around and walks backward as we leave the mall. "All right. I called us a cab earlier. We stop by the hotel, grab our stuff, and off to the rattus train. Boom. We'll be home soon."

I smile, "Thanks."

"No, I should be thanking you."

"No, thank you for taking me out of the human community." I exhale and look around. It feels nice to be out of the usual routine of school, work, and desperation to go home.

"Well when we get back, you can thank me by help-"

Then, there it is.

The unfortunate incident.

Before Helen can finish her sentence, a man snatched her bag. With Helen's strength, she refused to let it go. In the end, she got dragged for a few steps until the bag ripped. Helen shriek in surprise and horror as the box dropped to the ground. She made a leap for the box, but the thief was too fast.

He dashes through the crowd.

Without hesitation, Helen rushed towards him.

I squealed lightly before I ran behind Helen. I grab my phone and report the crime. Least to say, running while reporting is not an easy task.

I follow their grueling race without complaint. The gather of individuals made me feel suffocated. The sweats formed on my clothes weren't appealing either. I don't remember the last time I sweat this much. My heartthrob against my chest and my legs stumbled a few times.

The more we run, the more the distance between us increases. I didn't know Helen was so physically fit. She leaps over a bicyclist earlier. It was nuts.

That was it.

My legs gave out.

I went on my knees, in the middle of a random sidewalk, and tried to catch my breath. My lungs felt so dry, they could burst any second. I look down at my phone to see the call to the authorities long end. I probably end the call sometime between tripping on the sidewalk or fumbling on a random vase of flower.

I scanned the area and found a cafe with tables and chairs outside. I settle on one of the chairs, "Yeah. I'll wait for you here," I said to Helen who's probably streets away.

In the city, there are multiple directions, but the usual landmarks to locals were foreign to me. With my chin rest against the moist palm, I could feel my blood cool underneath the shade.

I swirl the phone around my fingers and stared at the ever-moving crowd. There was nothing familiar insight, more sound than desired, and the light from the sun didn't help my situation.

The phone vibrates and I answer the call. Heavy breathing dosage into my ear, "Got it! Got the f*****g thief!"

I can hear a click then another short vibrate. My finger taps on the screen to see a half beaten up man.

"Where are you?" Helen asks.

I looked around until my eyes found a sign. I told her the street names.

"I'm coming back," I said.

"Not reporting him?"

"Not worth the time. He spends a night in jail and they'll let him go. We have a train to catch," she said.

"All right," I said. "I'll be here."

"Stay on the phone," Helen said. "I have a bunch of random stuff to tell you." I know what she's doing. She's reassuring me that she is with me even when we aren't together.

I move back and forth in the chair, and laughed once in a while at her jokes. The wind caresses my skin and I brush my hair. Even when I'm alone in a city filled with strangers, Helen made me felt like I wasn't alone.

I know there's a soft smile on my face. My eyes follow the newspaper in the street and I notice the graffiti on the wall not too far from me. Helen told me she saw the same one. She's down the street, but I couldn't see her. The people who passed me didn't make me anxious, knowing my friend is nearby and we'll be going back soon.

The moment I saw Helen's head, I popped up and waved my hand. "Over here! Over he-"

My vocals seemingly broke at the sight among the crowd. There's this person.

This stranger somehow stood out among others. He had this kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. That type that made you go: "Wow. Did you see him?" when he's out of sight.

His steps halt, not too far from me, but enough to tell the crowd that we weren't relatively familiar. His hair was longer than the typical guy, thick and lustrous. When the wind blows, his silver eyes make its appearance.

I can see the surprise in his eyes, wider than it should be. Then, there it is - the softness.

In a few seconds, it changes again into a more serious expression.

I swallow with the sight of his jawline tightening.

The longer I look at him, the more adrenaline rush into my bloodstream.

"Raine?"

I couldn't find my voice. My cheeks flushed red at the sight of the man in front of me. I don't understand this feeling. My stomach was heavy, but it wasn't the type when you want to throw up. His eyes never waver from mine. I wonder if it's one of those situations that songs often talk about. The ones where a guy and girl met then fall in love s**t.

My body numbed as he stepped forward, and I hated how I look. I should've worn something more desirable instead of rip jeans, dirty shoes, and a stained t-shirt. I tuck my messy hair back and turn towards the graffiti. Quickly, I rush towards Helen.

"This cannot be happening," I whisper.

"What cannot be happening?" Helen question.

"Where are you?" I ask.

"Across the street from you."

I look forward across the street and exhale heavily. When the pedestrian light turns green. Without thought, I took a step towards her. It's not my fault for feeling how I felt. The dude was crazy attractive. That was it, a mere physical attraction and in a few days, I'll forget about it.

Forget about him.

But first, I'll tell Helen all about the handsome guy she missed.

Unfortunately, before I can take a single step across the street, a rough hand grabs me by the elbow. My body jolts back and I almost drop the phone in my hand.

"Hey!" I scream. My body whips around to face the handsome guy from earlier. I swallow fiercely and suck in my cheeks. "What's your problem?" Handsome or not. That was rude.

He didn't respond rather stare at me.

I look down at the hand still around my elbow. "Mind letting-"

Then, it appears.

The change in eye color.

"H-Hey." I lean back, "Mind letting go of m-"

"No." His voice was what I imagined. Deep. But it wasn't scary, rather nice.

I cannot believe this is happening in broad daylight. Some people stop in their tracks and whisper in our direction. "I'm sorry but I don't know you. I think you got the wrong per-"

I didn't believe it.

I couldn't believe it.

How it happened to me.

It f*****g actually happened to me.

His luscious lips part open and the most terrifying word in this world left his mouth: "Mate."