Tramp Stamps | Lookism

6. Gangster

^^pic i drew of cleo a while back, give or take the piercings because I imagine she's too lazy to wear them all the time. totally not projecting

me when i have a crush on my own oc 🤞 LIKE DAMNN CLEO WHEN IS IT MY TURN 😩 this isn't like incest or something right. like creator—creation incest??? is that a thing???? don't arrest me pls /j (emphasis on that /j)

TW: knifes

Daniel was happy when Cleo showed up the next day, like she had promised. It was an uneventful day, other than signing up to perform— requiring her to pay a visit to the vocal/dance department. Like all of the other tactless teenagers of J-High, they caused an uproar upon getting a small glimpse of a pretty girl, but Cleo managed to quickly consult the class president (a hot, blonde girl named Mary who was actually pretty nice) and hauled her tail out of there.

Cleo had been excited to sign up, but now? She was a bit... stuck. She still didn't even have her own earbuds, for christ's sake! All of her music CDs were also left at Xin's in Itaewon, so she didn't have anything to play, either. She really hadn't thought this through, but at least it reminded her— she needed to buy new earbuds, especially since she had some pocket change thanks to business. And that's what brought her to that same convenience store she visited a while back.

The door played its usual jingle as she entered, but Cleo blinked when she heard singing. Good singing. And there, unburdened and carrying on, she beheld the songbird that was little Daniel. However, the private performance quickly came to a halt once her presence was noticed— thanks to the doorbell.

The boy jumped, his face visibly warming, "Uh, W-welcome—!!" his voice cracked as he panicked, gathering himself and pushing up his glasses, before blinking at who entered, "Oh, Cleo?"

"Hi Daniel!" Cleo greeted with a small wave paired with a grin, "Singing something? I'm supposed to be singing something soon, too. Just dunno what..." the ravenette rambled, tapping her chin.

"S-sorry," he apologized, blush still overtaking his cheeks, "I shouldn't have been singing while—"

"Sorry?" Cleo repeated, incredulous, "Don't say sorry. Honestly, I should say sorry for interrupting. Your voice is nice to listen to," she smiled affably down at the flustered cashier, resting her elbows on the counter.

"You don't have to do that!" he frantically shook his head and waved his hands, "B-but, thanks..." he bashfully adverted his eyes, fidgeting with his hands.

"Of course!" she let out an amused huff, looking at the mess that was Daniel in front of her— similar to how she had big Daniel yesterday. Perhaps she just had a special effect on people named Daniel?

"Y'know, it's funny how similar you and Danny are..." she mused with a smirk, resting her chin between her index and thumb, "Honestly, you two could be the same person, personality wise. I mean... you two even kind of look alike!"

Daniel gulped, although he didn't really understand the last comment.

Cleo carelessly shrugged, "I guess it's cause you guys are friends. And have the same name. That's kind of funny," she snorted while Daniel was sweating like there's no tomorrow, "Anyways, could you ring up those earbuds back there?"

"S-sure!" he nervously complied, grabbing the earbuds, scanning them and handing them off to the girl. He wearily returned Cleo's wave of goodbye.

Once she was gone, Daniel let out an exhausted breath. Cleo had unknowingly stoked the fire that was Daniel's paranoia, and it was likely with her surprisingly sly mind it wouldn't be the last time she does so. The teenager shivered.