Chapter 6 : Friends?

I don’t know how I ended up running to the park, but here I am. Sitting on the swing, all alone, eyes red and puffy. I let out a sigh as I stare at the clouds passing by. My messy hair swings at the wind, some of my hair covered my eyes.

“Ugh... what kind of day is this?” I quietly mutter, before trying to adjust my tangled hair.

“Tough day?” I overheard a feminine voice suddenly speak from beside me, making me flinch in surprise.

“Eek! Wha—,“ I cut off my scream when I came face to face with a familiar face.

“Yikes! Looks like you are having a bad hair day! Allow me to help you out—.“

I haven’t even fully processed what’s happening when she stands up from the swing she’s sitting and moved behind me. I can feel her soft fingers delicately untangle my messy hair.

Slowly I can feel my hair getting lighter, “Do you mind if I braid them?”.

“N-no... I don’t mind, you can do what you want,” I answer with a reddened face. I can’t believe I'm talking casually like this with her.

“There! All done! You know, you have such soft hair. What kind of shampoo do you use? Are you using any conditioner?” I flinch in surprise when she sat down again beside my swing and started asking questions.

Umm... what is happening?? How-- how did we get to this?? I never expected her to be... so friendly?

“Uh— I only use Hi-hibiscus shampoo. I never used any conditioner,” I stutter, trying to keep my pounding heart quiet down. The one I manage to encounter here coincidentally is none other than Dania.

That’s right Dania, the one I saw earlier trying to pick a fight against the seniors. Plus the one Airel wanted to introduce to me earlier. Well, it doesn’t matter since she’s here with me. And I cannot believe here we are talking about shampoo.

“Ooh! That’s interesting! I didn’t know that brand was really good! I might try that as well. I know! How about I treat you to shop for some clothes, to lift your mood! That’s what I always do whenever I’m feeling blue!” Dania excitedly suggested as she sat down back to er swing. Moving the swing with her feet, she keeps on swinging back and forth at a rather fast pace.

“Wait! You should not swing too fast—,“ but my warning is already too late, Dania slips out of the swing and lands butt first on the grassy ground in front of us. I quickly stand up from my swing to help her stand up.

“Are you okay?” I ask worriedly while making sure she didn't hurt herself too badly.

“Pfft! That was fun!” contrary to my worry, Dania removes the dust from her skirt before stretching, with a beaming smile on her face.

“...what?” Was she always like this?

She only turns to me with a grin on her lips, “I haven’t felt that kind of rush in a long time! Come on how about you try too!”.

Before I can protest, she seizes my hand and forcefully made me sit on the swing. She started pushing the swing faster every time.

“Waiiiittt!! Stooppp!!!” I don’t have that much strength to keep on holding.

When my hands finally slip, like watching a slow-motion video... I can see myself falling headfirst on the ground. I closed my eyes as I wait for the impact... yet, I can feel myself floating?

“Aww! Airel! We are having fun here!” I heard Dania complain, before opening my eyes to see myself floating a few inches above the ground.

“Are you alright Aimee?” Airel helps me to stand up before she fixes my messy uniform.

“Th-thank you...” I shyly mumble, it’s still a bit embarrassing to face Airel like this. Considering I argued with her earlier... and now she helped avoided an embarrassing position.

“Geez Dania! How can you do that to her? What would you do if she got injured?!” This is the first time I heard Airel yell in anger.

“We were just playing around! Right?— wait did you just say, Aimee??” Dania quickly turns around to face me with her widening in surprise.

Uhh... Is it really surprising to hear my name?

“You! Your name is Aimee??” she asks while examining my face. Why is she asking me like that? Is there something on my face?

“Y-yes, my name is Aimee,” I respond as I try to observe my reflection on the screen of my phone.

When I see nothing wrong with my face, I turn around to face them.

I was about to open my mouth to ask her something when I realise what Airel did. She used her abilities to make me float in an open park.

Would that mean someone else would have witnessed what happened??

I glance around the park nervously, to confirm whether or not someone has witnessed her ability. But to my surprise, we are the only ones here in this park.

I sigh in relief that no one saw Airel use her ability. But... How did I not notice we are the only ones here? Was I really not paying attention earlier??

“Well... I wasn’t expecting our first meeting to be like this,” I heard Dania mumbles. I turn to look at her on time to witness her ears turn red.

“!” Pfft! That was so unexpectedly cute. I thought she was someone who cannot be flustered so easily, but I was wrong.

“It’s fine, I guess this is just a unique first meeting for us?” I said trying to lessen the sudden awkward atmosphere. Dania’s face instantly brightens before smiling at me.

I don't exactly regret the way we met for the first time. It was unexpectedly... fun?

“It is a unique first meeting, huh? Well, how about we go somewhere we can relax?” Dania suggested as she hooks her right arm to my left arm, leaving my heart starts beating fast in shock.

I... this is the first someone wants to hang out with me. Is it okay to feel a bit excited about this?

“Geez, Dania... try not to be too excited about meeting Aimee. Since we are all here, why don’t we go to the mall?” Airel proposed with a smile on her lips.

Ah right... we meant to meet at the mall. I glance at Airel as we all march out of the park. I still have to clear things with her about how I acted back in the classroom.

“Umm... Airel, about earlier— I’m sorry,” I shyly apologize to her while looking down on the road. I can feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

“It’s fine. I understand you didn’t mean to be rude. I also need to apologize for not giving you time to compose yourself. I’m sorry...” Airel apologizes as she clasps my right hand and offers me a bashful smile.

How... how can she still be this cute?! I took a deep breath trying to stop myself from grinning widely, with Dania giggling at my left. Seems like she is enjoying our awkward interaction. When I look up to Airel, our eyes met before we burst out giggling.

.

.

.

— I thought they said we are here to relax but...

“Here try this one out! This color suits you!” Dania gave me another set of branded dresses.

“How about this one? It has a soft texture, and it’s lighter than that one from earlier,” Airel added before handing me another dress. I can see from the corner of my eyes that the sales lady is enjoying how much Dania and Airel spent on the clothes that we have brought earlier.

There are five bags of dresses waiting for them at the counter, which they have already paid for earlier.

“Wait... can we rest for a bit? We’ve been doing this for an hour now,” I suggested before I gently placed down the clothes I’m holding on the cushion sofa.

“What do you mean? We only managed to buy a few T-shirts and hoodies! That’s barely enough! We still have to buy you these dresses, skirts, shorts, leggings and some jeans! Don’t forget about accessories too! Now, try this dress on!” Dania protested before pushing me inside the fitting room and handing me the dresses they pick.

“Are you girls trying to buy the whole store?!” I yelled as Airel closes the door of the fitting room.

“That’s also a good idea!” Dania jokingly answered while laughing. I sigh before shaking my head in disbelief. Look I know they are filthy rich and I still can't help but be amazed by how they can easily pay for all of these.

I caught a glimpse of the price tag of one of the dresses, and I don't think my allowance is enough to be able to buy one dress.

Just how many pieces of clothing are they trying to buy?! I was going to refuse if ever they try buying me anything but... I didn’t have time to refuse as they kept on shoving me to fitting rooms before handing me various clothing items.

I carefully take off my uniform again for the nth time, admiring the dress I’m holding as I carefully wear it. The dress is pretty light and has a floral pattern, which is perfect for summer. It is also pretty comfortable to wear. The only problem is it's too expensive for my allowance.

Even if they are the ones that kept paying for my clothes, it's kind of... embarrassing receiving this much from them. We haven’t known one another for so long yet, they are already spoiling me this much.

Is this how friendship works? Or is it really because I’m the supposedly ‘Princess’ they were looking for?

Wait... Dania never said anything about being part of the same world as Airel does. But she saw Airel using her ability earlier right? Then that would mean...

I shake my head as I erase the questions that swirl in my mind. Why am I asking this to myself when I can just ask them about it? Yes, I should just ask better than having my brain explode from guessing too much about them.