Something About Us

Heather, feeling a surge of restless energy, decided a trip to the mall was in order. The confines of the hotel suite were starting to feel stifling, and she craved a change of scenery. More importantly, she needed a wardrobe upgrade. After a quick shower, the warm water a soothing balm against her skin, she opened the closet, her brow furrowing as she surveyed the limited selection. Aunt Maggie must think I live in pajamas, she thought, her gaze landing on a dark brown shirt that looked distinctly unappealing. No way I'm wearing that. The majority of the clothes were her usual comfortable loungewear, soft cottons and loose-fitting fabrics, fine for relaxing at home, but hardly suitable for a shopping spree in the bustling mall.

She pulled out a pair of denim shorts, deciding to work with what she had. The faded denim felt familiar against her skin. Then, her eyes widened as she spotted Rhys's black jacket with abstract prints hanging at the back of the closet. Jackpot! she thought, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. She pulled it out, along with a plain white shirt, and held them up to herself. Perfect. The jacket was oversized, radiating a cool, effortlessly stylish vibe that she instantly loved. The fabric felt soft and worn, as if it had molded itself to Rhys's form. She slipped it on, the material still faintly carrying his scent – a mix of something musky and clean, a subtle blend of sandalwood and something distinctly him – and felt a thrill of playful rebellion.

Fully dressed, she stood before the full-length mirror, striking a pose. She felt a surge of confidence, a playful sense of borrowing a piece of Rhys's personality. The jacket transformed her, giving her an edge she didn't usually possess. Grabbing her phone, she snapped a photo and sent it to him, along with a cheeky message: I'll be borrowing these. ❤ Then, feeling particularly bold, she added a short video clip of herself blowing him a kiss, a playful gesture that made her smile. She knew he'd probably tease her about it later, but she didn't care.

As she gave her reflection one last look, a nagging feeling tugged at her. Something was missing. She opened the closet again and spotted one of Rhys's caps – the black one with the Lux's logo embroidered on the front. Yes! she thought, grabbing it. She placed it on her head, adjusting the brim until it sat just right. Feeling thoroughly satisfied with her borrowed ensemble, she left the hotel suite, the click of the door echoing behind her, and headed to the nearby mall.

The mall was bustling with activity, a kaleidoscope of shoppers and store displays. The air hummed with the sounds of chatter, music, and the clatter of shopping bags. As she browsed through a boutique, the soft fabric of the clothes brushing against her skin, a hushed conversation caught her attention.

"Hey, look at that girl's jacket, isn't it the same as Rhys's?" one girl whispered, nudging her friend and pointing towards Heather. She held up her phone, displaying a photo of Rhys wearing the same jacket.

"Yeah, it does look like the one he's wearing," the friend agreed, her eyes narrowing, a hint of suspicion in her voice. "Maybe she's a fan of Lux, too."

"I read online that that style of jacket was specifically made for Rhys," the first girl said, her voice laced with a hint of accusation.

"Really? Maybe it's a fake, then. She must really like Rhys to get herself that jacket."

"Yeah, it must be." The girl nodded, her eyes lingering on Heather. But before Heather could leave the boutique, she discreetly snapped a photo of her while Heather paid at the counter, the flash a subtle flicker in the brightly lit store.

The girl immediately posted the photo on her social media account, captioning it: Spotted a familiar jacket at XXXX shop today... Anyone else recognize it? She then murmured to herself, "Too bad you can't see her face."

Heather's cheeks flushed as she overheard their conversation. It is his jacket, she thought, her fingers tightening on the shopping bag, the paper crinkling softly. But they wouldn't believe me if I told them. She even saw the girl take her photo in the mirror, so she made sure to turn her head away, her heart pounding slightly. Fake? What fake? I'm sorry, this is Rhys's so it's not fake! she thought with a sigh, her internal voice laced with exasperation. Like I could tell them that. They really are popular, huh.

She quickly paid for her purchases, the crisp bills sliding through her fingers, and left the boutique, a mix of annoyance and amusement swirling within her. She continued her shopping spree, browsing through several more stores, her eyes scanning the racks for anything that caught her attention. She bought a few new outfits, a book she had been wanting, and some small gifts for baby Dave, her aunt, uncle, and even Rhys, a small token of gratitude for his kindness.

By the time she couldn't carry any more bags, her arms aching from the weight, she decided to head back to the hotel. "So tired," she muttered, her steps dragging slightly. As soon as she entered the suite, the cool air a welcome sensation against her flushed skin, she dropped the shopping bags on the floor with a soft thud, kicked off her shoes, the soft carpet a relief against her tired feet, and removed Rhys's jacket, tossing it onto the armchair. She went straight to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed face down, the soft mattress a comforting embrace, wanting to rest for a few minutes before she started unpacking and preparing dinner.

Then her eyes snapped open, a sudden jolt of realization. Oh no! I sent Rhys the photo and video! She grabbed her phone to see if he replied, her fingers flying across the screen, her heart pounding slightly. She felt a wave of anxiety, hoping he wouldn't be too annoyed, or worse, think she was trying to steal his clothes.