Accessory Wars

Chapter 19-Felisa

            I found myself outside the gym, despite Kami telling me she had to work. Granted, I didn't have my gym clothes with. I went for a walk and unconsciously wandered towards the building. Normally, I went after classes but we were on winter break. It felt good to have a semester of school done already. I marveled at the fact I'd been going to the gym for two months now. Three since I met Kami. September seemed so far away already.

I turned away from the gym and continued my wandering. I spotted a familiar street and headed towards the Withered Screech. The man with the gravity defying Mohawk, his name was Charles, stood at the front reading a magazine as he leaned against the counter. He glanced up as I entered and gave me a nod. I waved. He went back to his magazine and I wandered over to where Kami was stocking the back of the store. Thick scarves, knitted gloves and intricate warm hats stood on display.

"I knew you'd be drawn to the scarves and mitts!" Kami teased when she saw me. She hung up several pairs of ear muffs with cat ears on the headband. She held one up between us, no doubt looking to see how I looked in them. Satisfied, Kami lowered the earmuffs and set them on the hanger. "What brings you down here?"

"Just on a walk," I replied, running my fingers over the fabric of the scarves. One was made of plushy yarn and it felt amazingly soft. It reminded me of alpaca.

"Sounds lovely, although I'm surprised you're out in the cold."

"I think I'm getting used to it."

It was by force rather than by choice. My winter clothes funds went towards my gym membership and my tournament registration. I had to layer with what little clothes I had. I wore leggings under my skirt and two shirts to offset my thin coat. I glanced down at Kami's legs. Despite the weather being four degrees, she still wore fishnet tights. Oh, sorry. Forty degrees. I still get confused with the change in measuring systems.

"Fantastic! I personally love the cold," Kami chirped. She held up a pair of gloves and gave them a thoughtful look. Then she nodded and handed them to me. "Keep those hands warm, love. My treat."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Of course! Just let Charles know I'll pay for them and he'll make sure the door doesn't yell at you on the way out. Would you like a scarf?"

"Um..."

"What am I saying, of course you would! Pick one out. Got to keep my number one girl bundled up!" Kami grinned at me. I stammered a thank you and looked through the scarves. I ended up picking the fluffy one. I said a farewell to Kami and took my new winter accessories to the counter. Charles didn't even scan them. He took a scissors and snipped off the tags so I could wear them out.

He surprised me when he pulled out a tray from the jewelry display and set a spider pin on top of my folded scarf.

"Nice job at the tournament," he complimented. I blushed as he slid the bundle over to me. I stammered out another thank you and left feeling light headed.

Three gifts. I had just received three gifts. From two different people! I examined the pin, finding it a standard spider shape. I decided it would look nice on my gym bag. I pulled on the gloves and wrapped the scarf around my neck. My skin instantly started to warm up. It surprised me since the gloves were so thin. Of course, both were black and it clashed with the rest of my outfit yet I found myself not bothered by it. These were gifts from people who cared about me. I would proudly display them, even if I didn't look good in black.

The next day I found Kami waiting for me at the gym, like always. She stared at her shoes as she tapped her toe of her boot on the floor. She looked up as I passed through the doorway, her eyes glittering with excitement. I waved at her as I swiped my pass and headed over.