Ethereal Madness

Chapter 55- Random Speedbump

  "That was fun!" Olivia rose her hands to the sun.

It better have been, as much as you were winning. I thought the air hockey might've been a fluke, but everything we played, from the jump rope machine to the zombie mansion shooter to the coin games, she ended up being successful. She didn't start out winning, but every time she got better really, really quickly.

A bright smile was plastered on her face, making it hard to differentiate her from the girl with a permanent scowl that hid in her room a week ago.

"What next?" She hummed.

"How do you feel about shopping?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Never did it before."

"Ah okay." It took a second for it to set in. "Wait, really? You've never been shopping?" I didn't think a girl like her existed.

She frowned. "Why are you surprised?"

Right. Right. Never leaves her room. That is a thing...just how long has she been hiding from the outside word?

"My clothes have always been given to me." She said. "I didn't have much choice in the matter."

I wanted to agree with her, as Miss Cecilia has certainly given me heaps of clothes before, but I don't know how long that's been a thing.

"How do you feel about being able to choose?"

"Well...I suppose I wouldn't mind. Sure, why not?" Her stomach rumbled. "...but only if we can eat afterwards."

Such a stubborn face. It's like looking at a chihuahua trying to hold their ground.

"If you were hungry, you could've just said so." I chuckled.

"I said it now, didn't I?" She walked forward despite the fact that she had no idea where she was going. "Now enough talk. Lead me to the clothing store."

You forgot to say peasant.

"Yes yes."  I went along with her pleas, guiding her to Clarissa's store.

Her face didn't soften, and although I didn't know why she was looking like she was, I know it was probably necessary for me to stop it.

I stopped and stared at her.

"What?" She glared at me defensively.

Even now she's keeping up her hardened expression. But no matter how tough a person's exterior is, if the interior is weak, it's bound to fall apart.

With two fingers, I lightly poked her forehead.

She blinked like she had just woken up and jumped a little. She grabbed her forehead with both hands and glared at me. "What was that for!" She snapped.

"My bad, saw a bug on your forehead," I lied.

"Oh...you did?" She asked me innocently. "Did you get it?"

She believed me?

"Wait, I didn't see a bug fly on my head. Don't lie to me!" She hit my shoulder a couple times.

I laughed. "Alright, I give. I give."

She stopped her onslaught and gave me a frustrated scowl, which reminded me of an angry child.

"I just wanted you to smile," I admitted. "You looked so serious and umm, unhappy."

She rose her head in a pompous manner. "Hmph. You worry way too much." She said and kept forward.

Am I worrying too much? The memory of our first 'real' encounter and her yelling and slamming the door in my face came to mind. No...I don't think I am.