The Hidden Child (#WATTYS2015)

Chapter 2 ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

I stride with positivity down the street, the mysterious boy at my side.

"Whatever your name is, do you know people are staring at you?" He whispers, nudging my arm. I raise an eyebrow, glancing at the people near me. Indeed, people are looking at me.

"Why, I'm just like them?" I ask, puzzled.

"Maybe because your wearing a think silk dress with no shoes on. They probably think you're freezing to death." Suddenly, the bitter cold blasts me. My teeth start to chatter and my feet feel like they've been dipped in a bucket of ice. I'd been too happy to notice how cold I was. I sold be paying more attention.

"Oh, w-w-well do y-you know where I-I c-can find s-some comfy clothes?" I ask, my chattering causing me to stutter.

"There're plenty of thrift shops around here."

"O-Oh yeah! I s-saw o-one through my wi-window." I exclaim, sounding more sick than happy. As we walk into the store, I decide to ask him some questions.

"S-so, what's your name? Mine i-is Hope." I ask, trying on a old pink hoodie. He looks up from his shoes.

"Nathan."

"Uhm, how old are you?" I ask again, hoping he'll want to talk.

"16." He gives me another one-worded answer in response.

"Well I just turned 15 about five minutes ago." I say, grabbing some cozy looking boots. He doesn't reply this time, walking into another isle. I look around feeling awkward. To fill in the empty silence, I take a picture of the thrift shop isle. For a memory of the 1st actual outfit I've ever gotten.

Walking around, I find Nathan looking at some nice tennis shoes. "Uh, I have what I want." I say, trying my best to not scare him. But of course it doesn't work. He jolts backwards, I lean forward snatching his arm and pulling him upwards. Instead of him falling into me, my face collides with his muscular chest. That's when I realized how much taller he is than me. That, or I'm very short.

"Sorry." I continuously repeat, patting his chest. He just looks at me strangely.

"Uh, let's just go." I say, walking towards the exit.

"Aren't you going to pay? Or, your gonna steal it?" Nathan whispers the last part, sending shivers up my spine. It isn't hot, it's kinda creepy to me.

"Stealing? What's that? And what's paying?" I say, feeling very confused. Nathan literally facepalms himself, hard.

"I'll explain later." He grumbles, taking my out for up to the register. I had chosen a hot pink hoodie, white tank top, ripped skinny jeans, and fuzzy pink boots. Nathan hands the man something green with a face on it, I swear I've seen it before!

"Change into these clothes, than meet me in front of the door. If you know how to change into them." He adds sarcastically.

"Hey," I snap. "Just because I grew up in an attic doesn't mean I'm stupid!" He throws his hand up in the air in surrender. I huff, walking to the changing rooms. Once I'm done, I take a good look at myself in the mirror.

My light brown curly hair made its way below my waist. My tanned skin looking pale from all the cold. Dark chocolate eyes gleaming with curiosity and excitement. The outfit hugged my curves almost perfectly. Making me look like everyone else. Normal.

There's a light knock on the door. "You done in there? We really need to hurry." Nathan's voice enters my hearing, and he sounds a little worried.

"Yeah I'm done." I say, opening the door. Nathan looks me up and down for a moment, like he's processing information. "Uh, hello?" I say, snapping my fingers in his way. He snaps out of whatever trance he was in.