We bought tons of makeup that I had never heard of and had never used before.
Eyeliners, foundations, blushes, powders, brushes and things I couldn't even pronounce properly when Soren listed them off. Every product came in several shades and we bought shades that fit our skin.
Jamie explained patiently what each one did, holding them up for me like precious artifacts, while Soren occasionally interrupted with opinions and brand loyalty.
I didn't understand most of it, but I nodded anyway, absorbing everything like it mattered. Maybe it did matter. Maybe this was what normal life looked like, standing in bright stores, holding pretty things, being allowed to choose.
Right now, we were at the food court.
The mall itself felt unreal. Huge glass ceilings that let sunlight pour in, shiny floors that reflected people as they walked, music humming softly from hidden speakers. The food court was even livelier, rows of glowing signboards, smells I couldn't identify mixing together in the air, people laughing, talking and moving freely.
I had never been to a mall in my entire life.
Back in the forest pack, places like this didn't exist for omegas. There were no stores meant for us. No bright lights. No choices. You went where you were told, ate what you were given, wore what was handed to you. This felt like stepping into another world entirely.
While Soren and Jamie debated what to order, I felt the need to excuse myself.
"I'm going to the restroom," I said quietly.
They both nodded without even turning fully toward me, already too busy arguing about sauces.
"Okay," Jamie replied absently.
"Don't get lost," Soren added, smiling.
I followed the sign toward the restrooms, my steps echoing softly against the tiled floor.
The restroom was clean and quiet, the kind of quiet that hummed rather than felt empty. Soft lighting reflected off wide mirrors above a long row of sinks. I went into one of the stalls, used the toilet, then stepped back out and washed my hands slowly, watching the water run over my fingers.
When I finished, I dried my hands and looked up.
My reflection startled me.
My lips especially stood out. The tint we'd used earlier had settled perfectly, giving them a natural flush, like I'd been born with that colour.
They looked good.
Really good.
My lips were still a little cracked at the corners, though. Soren had noticed immediately earlier and scolded me gently, pulling out a small tube of lip balm and pressing it into my palm like it was something important.
"Carry it everywhere," he had said. "The moment they feel dry, use it."
No one had ever cared about something that small before.
The restroom was still empty, so I glanced around once, then reached into my pocket and pulled out the lip balm. I twisted the cap off and brought it to my lips, applying it carefully, watching my reflection as the dryness faded and my lips smoothed out.
Halfway through applying it, a toilet flushed behind me.
Oh fuck.
My heart jumped straight into my throat.
I scrambled, shoving the lip balm back into my pocket like I'd been caught doing something wrong. My shoulders stiffened, and I pretended to adjust my shirt, forcing myself to look normal.
A man stepped out of one of the stalls.
He walked toward the sinks, the same row I was standing at and turned on the tap, washing his hands. He stopped two sinks away from me, close enough that I could see him clearly in the mirror.
Then he spoke.
"You know," he said calmly, "it's okay to do that."
I froze.
"What?" I asked, turning slightly to look at him.
"It's okay to do that," he repeated, nodding subtly toward my lips.
And then I recognized him.
The red-eyed man.
The one who had helped me.
The one from the hospital.
I gasped before I could stop myself.
His eyes met mine in the mirror. Those deep, striking red eyes. They were the same eyes I remembered staring at through pain and confusion, the same ones that had watched over me when I thought I was going to die.
"You okay?" he asked, concern flickering across his face.
"Yes—I—I…" My mouth opened, but no words came out. I had so much I wanted to say. Thank you. I'm alive because of you. I don't know why you helped me, but I'll never forget it.
Instead, nothing.
Nothing came out of my mouth.
"You sure?" he asked again, turning slightly toward me, studying my face.
"Yes," I managed. "You… uhm…"
"It's okay," he said gently, turning off the tap and drying his hands. "You can speak slowly."
My throat burned.
"Thank you," I finally whispered.
"You're welcome, Holland," he replied easily.
Then he walked out of the restroom.
Just like that.
I stood there, unmoving, staring at my reflection like I might shatter if I breathed too hard. I hadn't expected to see him again so soon. I hadn't expected him to remember my name. If it hadn't been for those red eyes, those beautiful yet terrifying eyes. I might not have recognized him at all.
They were scary, yes. But there was something undeniably captivating about them.
And I hadn't even asked his name.
That thank you hadn't been enough. Not even close.
I looked down at the sink, heart still racing and then I saw it.
A wristwatch .
A black metal watch.
He had left it behind.
Without thinking, I grabbed it and rushed out of the restroom, scanning the food court frantically. People passed by, carrying trays and bags, laughing, talking but he was gone.
I had wasted too much time standing there, frozen in my own head.
"Holland?"
I turned to see Jamie walking toward me, worry written plainly across his face.
"You okay?" he asked. "You were in the restroom for so long. I thought something happened."
"I—" I hesitated, then instinctively hid the wristwatch in my pocket. "Yeah. I'm good."
"You sure?" he pressed.
"Yes," I said quickly.
It made no sense why I'd hidden it. Jamie wouldn't have taken it from me. He wouldn't have even questioned it. But something inside me told me to keep it to myself.
"Are you guys done placing an order?" I asked as we walked back toward Soren.
"Yes," Soren replied, immediately reaching for my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. "We ordered Chinese."
"Chinese?" I repeated. "What is that?"
Jamie laughed softly. "Oh, you're going to love it."