chlorophyll

Sticky Fingers

Qi Rong has always had a tendency to pickpocket. Of course he knew this was an awful habit and he wasn't supposed to do it, but he couldn't stop himself sometimes. It was often minor things, toothbrushes, charms for Guzi, even candy. Other times it was larger. It could range from expensive jewelry, clothes and more often than not, food.

His fingers glided over the items in the market. His eyes scanned the place around him, counting the people. He had already checked the situation of security cameras.

He knew it was wrong to steal, to commit theft. But it was just so exhilarating. He loved the power he had when he stole.

His hands moved intricately over each item, his breath caught when he noticed a dainty bracelet donning a petit fan. He had been reminiscing about the event that had occurred days before. Flashes of a hand covering up his flaws, the stupid bandaid he had been given. He thought about the kind voice of her, the closeness of her person, the delicate way she touched him.

He shook his head, trying dearly to rid himself of the thoughts.

'Stupid girl. I don't even like her. She's dumb.'

Of course he knew that telling himself these useless tattles wouldn't shake off the consistent thoughts he had of her.

After the day she has helped him things had been relatively normal between the two. Flirting from her end and vulgar insults from his own. They still sat and chatted together both on the bus and in the cafeteria, much to Qi Rong's 'demise'.

He couldn't stop himself from relaxing in her presence, even just the tiniest part in him even enjoyed her company.

He looked at the bracelet, looking around hisself and nodding.

'Fuck it.' He grabbed the small bracelet, placing it into his large pocket, checking his surroundings once more and walking out of the shopping area. He hadn't noticed he was speed walking till his chest hurt and his breathing became laboured.

He slowed his steps and looked around nonchalantly. He walked down his street, not very secretly turning his gaze towards her house. Feeling like a criminal, he looked away and sped up his feet.

He let go of a breath he was unaware of holding when he entered his dim house. The lights were off and he wasn't able to hear a static tv or the obnoxious snoring of his father.

He walked to his brothers room, checking to see if he was home. There was no sign of him and he panicked until he realized the time. His brother wouldn't be home until a little later.

He felt around in his pocket for the bracelet, grabbing it he sat down. It wasn't anything special or fantastic but it was quite pretty. He thought about how it would suit her. His face warmed when he realized what he had done. What he had just thought about.

'I can't give this to her. What if she doesn't like it? What if it's too big or too small?! I'll look like a fool. Oh no.' He was surprised at his insecurity towards the subject. He laughed to himself triumphantly,

'Who cares if she likes it?! Hahahaa. I don't.'

These words and tone would usually bring him a sense of superiority but he couldn't shake the uncertainty.

He tossed the dainty garment aside and fell back in his bed. He tried for hours but could not get her out of his head.

'I don't. I don't like her. At all. Not one bit.'

He sighed and brought his hands to his warm face, he grumbled until he couldn't hold it and he got up. He put on his tough guy front and grabbed the bracelet, and walked out.

'Qing-Xuan! There's someone here for you!' She lit up at the loud call from her mother down the stairs, her footsteps were unsteady going down the stairs.

In the doorway a figure stood anxiously looking around with a scowl on their face. She was shocked but... pleasantly surprised? The person who was inevitably waiting for her was Qi Rong? She smiled at him and waved, coming closer.

'Why did I do this. What on earth am I thinking?!? Oh she looks so pretty in her pajamas... WAIT HAHAHA no. No she doesn't?!?!'

His mind was full of crowded thoughts he hadn't realized she was talking to him.

He looked up to meet her eyes and an unexpected heat rose up his neck. She grinned down at him, making the heat crawl further up his face.

"Rong-er? What are you doing here? Miss me already? Couldn't wait till tomorrow?"She looked down at him with soft pink donning her cheeks.

He stammered and looked for an answer, his mind was a whirl, he couldn't come up with a hefty insult or even a glare. He was too focused on the soft pink lipstick on her lips, the purple eyeliner accenting her eyes.

'OH HAHA I- uh HAHA UHM. SO YOU REMEMBER THE OTHER DAY YOU HELPED ME? WELL I UHM FELT I NEEDED TO GRACE YOU WITH SOMETHING. NOT THAT YOU DESERVE MY HIGHNESS.'

His voice was loud, she didn't mind although, what had surprised her was his frail hand nudging a bracelet towards her. She took it and examined it quickly. The swirls of the metal and the light pink colours made her smile.

'It's beautiful Qi-Rong, but you don't owe me anything. I'm so happy to have this though. It's so pretty. Thank you.' She smiled down at him, the heat that had calmed came rushing back even stronger and making his face a bright red.

She had leaned down a little towards his face. She smelled like candy and... lilacs?

He laughed nervously, he nodded his head. Looking left to right, trying to ignore the calm eyes placed upon him. Any other time he would have felt self conscious, being studied like this. He felt uncomfortable for....other reasons.

He stammered an excuse to leave and laughed hysterically, he quickly left her in the doorway. She laughed lightly and waved towards him.

"Did you find a nicer boyfriend, Qing-Xuan?" Her mother looked at her teasingly from across the dinner table. Her face felt hot and she looked towards her food.

"Ahh no. But he's cute isn't he?" She smiled at her mother, her father looked at her warily.

"As long as this new friend isn't like that useless trash He Xuan, I'm glad you're meeting new people, dear." Her father added into the conversation, he was quite the protective type but he hadn't a problem with her dating. The exception being a person like He Xuan.

She laughed at the comment and her fathers dislike towards her ex-partner.

"Don't worry pops, Rong-er is a very nice person, he's just ....tempered." Her father raised a brow at the added on description. She couldn't say he wasn't an angry and compulsive person, but she knew he meant nothing but it and was ultimately harmless.

"As long as you're happy, I'm happy, dear."

She smiled at that and continued eating and blushing from her parents comments about her new so called crush. She looked down at the small bracelet adorning her arm.

She hadn't any more jewelry on this side, this bracelet felt...special.

The two lay in separate beds at night, but that hasn't stopped their minds drifting to the other.

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I HAVENT POSTED IN LIKE AGES?!? IM SO SORRY HOLY MOLY🫶🏻🫶🏻
ONCE AGAIN, ALL OF THESE IDEAS WERE MOSTLY FROM MY FRIEND VNYL SO CREDS TO HIM 🤎🤎