A Guide to Love's Farewell

The Mall-Monday

We all walk in and decide to go to Starbucks. We all waited in line together and once it was our turn, we took turns saying our order to the cashier.

"One Grande Cappuccino please," orders Olivia.

"Um, a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte please," says Edann.

"I'll take an Espresso Frappuccino... Grande," Nathan says boldly.

"A Grande Peppermint Hot Chocolate. I don't drink coffee," Tiffany orders.

"And I'll take a grande iced cold brew," I say.

"Alright, the total will be $31.22," says the cashier, smiling.

We all pay for our drinks and wait off to the side until our drinks came. Once each of us picked up our drinks, we decided to stay as a group and walk around.

"Hey, do you guys want to look inside Hollister?" asks Olivia.

We all say sure and walk inside.

"Wait, Olivia! Come here! I found a perfect sweater for you," Edann said smiling at Olivia as he draped the white Hollister sweater over Olivia's front.

I sigh and walk away. If only I were Olivia.

We also stop at Express and suddenly... I hear this...

"Hey Edann, your drink looks good, can I try yours?" Olivia asks politely.

"Only if I get to try your drink," Edann replies.

They both sip each other's drink.

Okay. If anything else didn't do it, this one did. That drink sipping was my last straw. The movie last night clearly did nothing. How shall I move to step two and split them up? Then, I had a devious but excellent plan...

About an hour later, we all decide to stop by the food court to grab a quick lunch. Each of us gets our food and we sit down at a large table. Nathan is eating a salad as Olivia tells a joke, "You know how to turn a salad into Caesar salad? Stab it twenty-three times."

Everyone laughs at Olivia's joke.

"Olivia, that joke was so dark," Nathan says.

Now is the time to make my first move.

"Sometimes it's not just jokes that are dark. I mean... people keep dark secrets too," I say casually to Nathan.

"That's an interesting perspective Hana, but what are you implying?" asks Nathan slightly confused.

"Well, people are so complex. We never know what others may be hiding. Even the closest people we know could be hiding something," I say hoping my plan is going well.

"Yes. I guess that's true... but why are you saying this?" Nathan asks almost worried.

I manage to hide my smile and say, "Oh well, It's just something I've been thinking about you know? It's not really a bad thing. Life is just surprising sometimes.

"Oh- I well. Yeah, you're right Hana," Nathan says as he glances at Tiffany.

In my peripheral vision, I can see that Edann glances at Olivia. I sit back as I watch them eye each other closely. Now that there is doubt in the way, I can watch them be skeptical of each other.

After we all finish our food, we get up and walk around and decide to go to PinkBox.

"Hey Edann, look. It's the new "Get Up" album from New Jeans. I've been wanting it," Olivia says eyeing Edann.

"Woah. I can buy that for you," Edann says kindly.

"You sure?"

"Of course. Anything for you Olivia."

I frown, why does Edann still like Olivia that much? I need to think of step three.

After another hour at the mall, we make our way back you where we entered where we meet a fortune-telling booth. We decide to give it a try as a group.

As I stepped inside, I am met with the aroma of lavender. The lights are dark and purple, with the room being slightly foggy.

In the middle of the room, there sat an old lady with a glass globe in front of her. The old lady looked spooky almost.

"Why hello, a group this time. Well, come on! Sit! Sit!" says the mysterious fortune teller.

We all sit around the lady.

"Listen closely, for I shall unveil the threads of destiny that weave amongst your fellowship," the woman whispers mysteriously. "In the tapestry of your camaraderie, joyous connections entwine two pairs in bonds of undeniable strength. Yet, amidst the radiant tapestry of friendship, a shadowy undercurrent whispers of hidden truths.

Within the whispers that reach my ears, a cautionary murmur emerges. Beware, dear friends, for the sources reveal the mystery held among you. Deep within the bond of your shared existence, an individual conceals a secret shrouded in darkness. Let your hearts remain vigilant, for not all that glimmers in the glow of camaraderie is unveiled to the naked eye.

As I repeat, Amongst each of you, one individual... conceals a dark truth from the rest of you all..."