Lipstick Kisses

Red Shade

Red Shade

I want a sexy, alluring, deep shade of red that pops against my pale complexion. I need the perfect shade of red for my first kiss with Luke. Having the perfect colour and kiss, will mean everyone will want to kiss me. I'm tired of being the one who hasn't had their first kiss!

I place the tube of lipstick on the counter and move to the next one. I draw a line on the back of my hand. It has a subtle hint of orange which doesn't look the best. I think I prefer the other two – they're a deeper red, almost a hint of brown.

"Hey you!" someone yells. "Stop it right now!"

A force shoves me into the counter and I tumble to the ground along with all the many tubes of lipsticks on the counter. I glance over my shoulder in time to see a guy my age spring to his feet.

Unfortunately for him, he steps on a rose pink lipstick which causes him to tumble onto the ground. Before he can escape, the security guard grabs his shoulder and hauls him to his feet.

"We're going to take a trip to my office." The security officer tugs the guy out of the shop by the collar of his black shirt.

Don't worry about me, I'm perfectly okay! I wasn't just bulldozed to the ground by a person or anything like that.

With a sigh, I climb to my feet and shake my head. As I wander out of the store, the buzzers scream and all eyes land on me.

My eyes go wide and my breath gets caught in my chest. The security guard stops in his tracks and walks towards me with a grouchy expression. I chew on my lip as I wait.

"This must be a mistake."

"Open your bag." He snaps.

I open my bag and he peers inside. Panic swirls when he plucks a dark purple lipstick tube from my bag.

"Stolen goods, that's a crime."

"I promise, I didn't steal that! I was knocked to the ground, it probably fell in there."

"You're coming with me." He takes a pair of silver cuffs from his back pocket and slaps one on my wrist before dragging the other guy over to do the same.

A bound of hyena laughs come from outside the shop. Two other teenagers jump on a motorised scooter ride away. The security guard curses under his breath before chasing after them.

My feet slide across the ground as he lurches forward.

"What are you doing? We can't leave!" 

"Getting out of here." He raises an eyebrow. 

"There's no way that's happening. I'm not getting into more trouble because of you." I frown.

"We won't get caught if we go now! Let me get us out of this mess." He tugs on my arm.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

We run out of the shop and take a sharp turn to the right in the opposite direction. We pass a couple of food shops before running around another corner and getting lost in the middle of a busy walk way strip.

The main city shopping strip is four streets clustered together with shops, and as you get further out, there's other quirky shops that are one of a kind. Right in the heart of the main strip is two train stations. An above and below pass. I was supposed to be catching a train out of here, but I guess my shopping trip just got extended.

"Where are we going?" I shout as we weave between the throngs of people clustered on the street.

"Anywhere but here." My stomach rumbles, making me wish I'd not skipped lunch and indulged in the cheese burger I'd been eyeing off when I'd brought a bottle of water from the underground food section.

"Do you even have a plan?" I ask.

The young man looks over his shoulder and smiles a bright cheeky one, "Never."

"You've got to be kidding," I grumble.

He skids to a halt, and I slam into his back. He falls to the ground and pulls me down with him. We both face plant the side walk together. The side of my face tingles from the impact, but I shake it off.

"Are you okay?" 

"I'll be fine." With my free hand, I rub the side of my cheek to soothe the fading pain.

"I'm Jace, by the way." He shakes his head, sending his short black hair falling around his face in layers.

"Macey."

"We need to find a way to get these off, any ideas?" Jace picks his hand up and shakes it up and down, mine moving along in the same motion.

"Can you pick a lock?" I ask.

"Do you think I'm a thief?" His voice is rough, the cheeky tone now gone from it, "I'm not, and I can't." As amused smile filters back to his tanned face.

"I um, was going to suggest it would be a practical option unless you keep bolt cutters in your back pocket?" With Jace's free hand, he pats down the pockets of his black jeans before shaking his head.

"No bolt cutters, must have left them in my Friday jeans." He shrugs casually.

I frown at him, "What do you suggest then?"

"Cut our hands off?" he teases.

The idea sends shivers down my spine, I'd prefer a tarnished reputation than losing my hands. I look down at my hand and shake it. The metal cuff is cold and smooth against my wrist, yet daunting and rough at the same time.

"Why did it have to be you?" I grumble under my breath.

"Don't be like that." He pouts.

"It's your fault I'm in this mess," I grumble.

"And I'm the one that's going to get us out of it." He grins.  

Would you also run away?