Colorful (H.S) | ✔️

1

"Which shirt would match better with these jeans?" I ask with exasperation. 

You know, this whole "you only see color when you find your soulmate" idea sounds cute until you can't match your clothes. 

Actually, I hate it. It's so dumb, especially if finding your soulmate is impossible. What about the people who never meet theirs? Will they never experience the joy of being able to see color?

My best friend puts her hand to her chin and carefully inspects both options in my hand. "The red one for sure," she smirks. I lightly slap her arm. She knows damn well that I don't know which shirt is red. "Okay okay, the one on the right."

Yes, you heard that right. My eighteen-year-old best friend has already found her soulmate. How crazy is that? It's lucky for me because at least she can help me pick clothes. Not so fun for her though. 

I quickly finish getting ready and we both head downstairs. My sister stops my friend in her tracks.

"Hey Audrey, can you please tell me which of these gummies are red?" my 15-year-old sister asks sweetly. 

"Audrey, don't. Lily, you better eat all those gummies," my mom yells from the kitchen. 

Audrey shrugs at my sister before looping her arm through mine. We skip out to her car and I duck into the passenger side.

We're both going to work. I work at a thrift store, while Audrey works at a higher-end department store. It's in the same mall, so we often go together. We're lucky enough to get corresponding shifts so she can drive me. I haven't gotten my license yet, mainly because I can't afford to get a car.

There's no point in having a license if you have nothing to drive.

We're both also taking a gap year from college. I'm trying to save up for tuition. She isn't going mainly because school isn't for her, and she's trying to avoid it for as much as possible. It's an honest action because we both know she'd rather be a trophy wife.

I can't depend on that type of backup. I need to go to school because I want a high paying job. My job at Goodwill isn't cutting it anymore, and life is going to be more expensive once I move out. 

"Okay babe, I'm going to have a quick smoke break. Have fun at work!" Audrey pulls out a pack of cigarettes and searches for her lighter. I scrunch my nose. I hate smokers with a passion. I've tried to get her to stop, but she won't listen. 

Before she can light her joint, I hop out of the car and send a quick wave. 

My manager acknowledges me with a quiet smile as I clock in. 

Since a lot of people can't see color, all the items have the color written on the tag. That way, it's color-coordinated for the people who can see, but it's easy for people like me to know what they're holding. 

My apple watch vibrates and I flick my wrist to check my notification. 

Mom: Take off work for September 7th.

I text back a quick reply without asking why. I continue folding the clothes, humming along to the music. The store is empty, mainly because it's a school day, and most of our target customers are teenagers. I assume it'll get busy after my shift is over. A lot of teens like to hang around the mall after school.

Every time someone walks into the store, hope flickers through me.

I want to know my soulmate so badly. I want to see color, I want to experience the vibrancy of life.

I'm slightly jealous of Audrey.

She hasn't told me who her soulmate is. She claims she wants me to find mine before she tells. I don't know why, but I don't push it. 

Who knows when I'll find mine though. It could be years, decades, lifetimes. 

A hand wraps around my waist and I turn around to see Drew staring down at me. 

Drew is what I consider a work boyfriend. We flirt at work, and sometimes make out in the backroom. 

We even made a pact that we would marry when we're thirty if we haven't found our soulmates. 

Not gonna lie, I kind of hope that happens. He's too cute and any girl would be lucky to have him. 

Dating isn't as rare as you'd think. Many people date, especially with the fear of never finding your soulmate. Why would you waste precious time alone, when you can be in a relationship? Who knows, maybe it'll work out. 

He gives me a quick peck, slaps my ass, then slyly walks away before the manager can catch us. I fake frown and continue folding. I hide my smile as he dances along to the music playing in the speaker.

He's so darn cute.

My lunch break comes quickly, and I head to the mall's food court. I hear thumping footsteps behind me. I turn around to see Drew jogging towards me. Without hesitation, he grabs my hand and we walk together. Sadly, Audrey is required to take her breaks at her store's breakroom, so we can never hang. 

At least I have my work boyfriend. 

~~~

After I clock out, I remember to sign a time out sheet for the date my mom texted me. Although it's less than a 2-week notice, I doubt my boss will care. We're super overstaffed and finding a replacement is never hard in this economy. 

Drew works longer shifts than me, so I sneak a quick kiss from him on the way out. Even though my backs turned to him, I feel his smile burning through the back of my head.

Arriving home, I thank Aubrey for the ride and go inside. My mom's sitting at the dining table with a bunch of work documents.

"Hey Ma," I kiss her forehead. 

She looks up and smiles, "Hey babe.  Sorry, I was getting irritated in my office and needed to come out here to breathe." Her smile is sad.

"It's no problem," I smile back. "Oh, hey. Why did you need me to call off?"

She takes off her reading glasses and rubs her temples. "Lily's friend bailed on her for the concert she's going to. I need you to go with her." 

"I guess," I call out while walking to the kitchen to grab a snack. I don't mind the musician's music, but I'm just not that into it.

I can hear the sigh of relief my mom lets out. For once, I feel like a good daughter.