After spending time outside, Apple went to his room to freshen up, and Straw bumped into Vinegario. They collided shoulder first.
"Hey, watch it," Vine said. Then he saw that it was Straw. "Oh, it's you, the clumsy one."
Straw looked at him. Her mouth opened, ready with a reply. It stayed open for a second too long.
He was not wearing his mask. Now she was seeing the X sign on his face for the first time. Her eyes traced it slowly. From his forehead. Down across his nose. Over his cheek. It was not ink. It was not paint. It was carved.
"Wow, your face is exactly like… Berryanna's tattoo on her shoulder," she said.
Her voice came out softer than she expected.
"It's not a tattoo but a scar," Vinegario said. He did not blink.
"Whatever, I don't need to be in this kind of situation with you. Bye-bye," Straw said, leaving, not wanting to be around him. Dory followed beside her.
Vinegario stared at the cat with spite. His nose twitched, because was allergic to cat fur.
