POV: Freya Brown
I was so excited.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I received my admission letter two weeks ago. I had participated in an ongoing competition, and I came out as one of the top winners.
Now I had been granted a scholarship to my dream school.
Could my life get any better? I began to wonder.
I kept thinking about it as I left home for the shop. Mum had just kissed me goodbye—I could see how happy she was, but I could also sense a bit of sadness. I knew she was going to miss me. She wasn’t used to my absence.
Also… my little sister, Isla.
What would I do without her? She’s my angel, after all.
I was too excited.
Isla had insisted on coming with me to the supermarket, but Mum refused—she thought I wouldn’t be able to concentrate.
Isla can be trouble sometimes.
But anyway, I was going with my best friend, Amelia.
She was like a sister to me.
---
“What took you so long?” she said as we boarded the taxi.
“Marple Row Mall,” she told the driver.
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“By the way, you’re looking very beautiful today. I mean, I admire your pink dress.”
“Thanks,” I replied sweetly.
“You’ve never been this gorgeous before. I guess today’s your lucky day.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, raising a brow.
“Well, I mean... you just might meet your prince charming today.”
“Oh gosh, you know how I hate such conversations.”
“Yes.”
“So why do you have to bring them up?”
“Because you, my friend, are so boring.”
“Oh, am I? And what makes me so boring?” I asked jokingly.
“Well, look at you—you’re twenty now, aren’t you? And still boyfriendless. Why is that?”
“You know I’m really not interested in a relationship,” I said.
But that wasn’t the only reason. I just didn’t say it out loud. Mum was struggling to make ends meet. All I could do was help with side jobs—and thank God, I finally earned a scholarship. A prestigious college, at that. Now Mum wouldn’t have to worry about my school fees. I just hope she doesn’t struggle too much taking care of Isla.
“Hello?” Amelia waved a hand in front of my face. “You’re aging away, and still boyfriendless.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Yes I will. ‘I don’t want to be in a relationship,’” she mimicked in a teasing voice.
“Well, you know what I pray?” she continued. “That you meet the one for you.”
“In your dreams,” I said sharply.
---
We finally entered the mall.
I was not exactly an expert at shopping—maybe because I’d never really had the chance. So Amelia did most of the selecting.
It was a weekday afternoon, and the mall was gleaming under polished lights. Air conditioning blasted softly from overhead, and the hum of quiet conversations and soft music filled the space. It felt too luxurious for someone like me, but I tried not to show it.
She was busy choosing outfits for me, but I had to remind her I’d be a student.
“What’s wrong with this outfit?” she asked.
“Well, can’t you see? It’s a bit short.”
“Hello, madam! I hope you’re not planning to stay single once you get there. You’d better get a boyfriend too, okay?”
“Amelia...”
“What?”
“You’ll never change.”
“Oh no—I have to use the bathroom,” Amelia said suddenly and rushed off.
As she left, I looked at the green dress she had picked for me. It was lying on a side shelf. It was simple but elegant, with lace detail near the neckline. I hesitated, then reached out to pick it up—and suddenly, another hand brushed against mine.
It was warm. Firm.
A strange feeling ran through me. I froze.
I looked up—and locked eyes with the man who had reached for the same dress.
He was... attractive, I had to admit. Tall, sharp-featured, well-dressed. But honestly, his personality didn’t match his looks.
“Oh, hello,” he said casually. “Can you take your hands off my dress, please?”
I blinked. “Excuse me? This is my dress.”
“Have you paid for it?”
“No…”
“Then good. You’d better not drag this dress with me. See, the thing is—I’m a regular customer here, so I’ll be given favoritism.”
Okay, I’ll admit it—I didn’t even like the dress that much. Green wasn’t exactly my color. I would have given it up… if he hadn’t acted like such a jerk.
“Excuse me?” he said, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “What’s the matter? Would you just give me my dress?”
“No can do. I chose this dress first.”
“I selected it and dropped it here while I looked for other stuff.”
“I’m not interested in all of that. And honestly, I think all you want is attention. You want to be seen with me. But I’m not giving you that.”
“What? Who do you think you are? Why would I want to be seen with someone like you—someone who doesn’t respect women?”
“Hey—you’re wrong. I respect women. A lot.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, that’s your business. I just need my dress.”
“If you really respected women, you’d let me have it. I wouldn’t mind if you chose it first. But I—”
“Blah, blah, blah.” He rolled his eyes. “You think I don’t know what you’re up to. You want people to see that I gave in to you. No way. That’s not happening.” He paused, then added, “And by the way—you don’t seem like you can even afford this dress. Did you check the price?”
He looked me up and down with a mocking smirk.
I felt heat crawl up my neck.
I hadn’t checked the price tag. This was an expensive mall. But I wasn’t about to back down.
“What’s the matter now? You’ve gone quiet.” He scoffed. “Go to the other side. You’ll find dresses for your class over there.”
And just like that, he snatched the dress from my hands and walked off.
I stood there, stunned.
It was the first time anyone had made me feel both insulted... and weirdly noticed.
And I hated that.
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