Fiona froze, her chest tightening as she turned to face him. Twilight's dark eyes held hers, unreadable, yet intense. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat.
"Don't scream," he said, his hand firm over her mouth. The sudden closeness, the heat from his body, made her heart race. Her mind scrambled. Why was he here? How had he gotten into the store unnoticed?
He slowly removed his hand, letting her breathe, but didn't step back. Fiona's eyes widened as she realized just how close he was. Too close. Her back pressed against the wall, the hard surface cold against her skin.
"Why… are you here?" she finally whispered, her voice trembling.
Twilight's gaze didn't waver. He leaned just slightly forward, his voice low and controlled.
"You shouldn't be alone in here."
Fiona's pulse quickened. "I-I'm not alone… Aviva's-" Her words faltered, and she felt a jolt of fear mixed with confusion.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his eyes scanned the changing room, the racks of clothing, then rested on her again. There was something unreadable in his expression. Danger, mystery, and a hint of amusement.
"You need to be careful, Fiona," he said finally, stepping just a fraction back. His hand lowered, but the tension in his posture didn't. "Not everyone is as… forgiving as me."
Fiona swallowed hard, her mind racing. Questions tumbled over each other, how did he get in? Why was he here now? What did he mean by 'forgiving'?
Twilight's voice softened slightly, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it that made her shiver.
"And… you should remember what I said earlier. Skinny legs."
Fiona blinked, her shock mingling with a flush of embarrassment. He turned, moving toward the exit, leaving her pressed against the wall, heart pounding, every nerve alert.
She let out a shaky breath, gripping the wall for support. Her mind replayed the scene, each second stretching out as her heart struggled to slow. Twilight, how had he gotten here? Why was he watching her? And what did he really want?
Fiona shook her head, trying to clear the dizzying swirl of thoughts. One thing was certain: this encounter would haunt her thoughts all day… maybe even longer.
"What are you doing here?"
Shh." He cut her off sharply when he heard footsteps. His head snapped toward the curtain of the changing room. Without warning, he pressed his back against the wall, body tensed as if he were preparing to attack whoever was approaching.
Fiona held her breath.
The footsteps stopped right in front of her changing room. She saw a faint shadow shift across the lower gap of the curtain. Her heart pounded so loudly she felt certain Twilight could hear it.
After a few seconds, the steps continued. This time moving away.
Twilight's shoulders loosened. He pushed himself off the wall and looked back at her, expression cold and unreadable.
"What's going on? You still haven't answered my question."
He took a step closer, breaking into her personal space again.
"And what if I say I won't answer?" Twilight asked flatly, raising a brow.
His fingers lifted, toying lazily with the decorative ropes on her bra.
Fiona froze, unsure of how to react.
"Then… you have to leave," she said quietly, turning her face away from his sharp gaze. The kind that scanned her like a hunter sizing up prey.
"And what if I say I won't leave?" His voice dropped lower as he placed one hand on the wall beside her, blocking her in.
"T-Then I'll scream." The words trembled out of her.
"Scream? Then I slit your throat."
The chill in his voice made her stomach twist. A part of her felt the threat was empty, but another part caught between fear and reality didn't want to test him.
"I'm waiting, skinny legs. Scream, and it'll be your last one."
He let the ropes of her bra fall from his fingers. This time, his hand slid slowly up to her hair.
"So you're attending that arrant nonsense," he muttered. "You really do fulfill the impression of being stupid, don't you?"
Fiona looked back at him, anger flaring despite her fear. Even now, especially now. He couldn't resist insulting her.
"What do you care?" she snapped, forgetting she was half‑exposed, forgetting everything except the irritation he always dragged out of her.
Twilight's expression hardened. He grabbed the back of her hair sharply, pulling just enough to draw a soft gasp from her lips. He leaned in and sniffed her neck before letting her go.
"Aha. You smell of weakness. You're right. What do I care how you play with your stupidity? You never change, do you?"
He took a step back, pale eyes scanning her with bored distaste.
"Be careful, Marvin. Danger lurks everywhere."
With that, he yanked the curtain open and walked out.
Fiona finally released a shaky breath.
This boy was weird. First he barges in, then he insults her, then he sniffs her? What a freak.
After she and Aviva paid for their things, they headed home.
The moment Fiona stepped into the house, she met her dad's questioning stare. His eyes dropped to the shopping bag in her hand.
"You went shopping? Why didn't you invite your old man to tag along?" He stepped closer and patted her head. "So, what did you buy?"
Fiona's heart jumped. She instinctively hid the bag behind her.
"Nothing, Dad. Just… girl stuff." She forced a nervous smile.
Her dad didn't buy it. He held out his hand.
"Let me see the bag."
"Dad, really, it's nothing-"
He kept his hand out, expecting. Fiona had no choice but to hand it over.
He opened the bag, pulled out the bikini top by its tip like it was some kind of contaminant.
"What are you doing with this?"
His eyes shot back to hers. She looked like a puppy caught in the rain.
Before he could say another word, Daisy entered.
"Fiona, you're back!" Daisy walked over, smoothly taking the bag and the bikini top from him. "Dad, these are lady things. Fiona bought them for me."
He frowned, listening.
"I called Fiona when she was close to the mall. I was too tired to go myself, so I asked her to pick up some bikinis for me. I'm going to the beach this Saturday with my boyfriend." Daisy smiled warmly.
Their dad sighed, the tension melting away.
"Alright. Be careful then."
He patted Daisy's head and walked off.
When he finally disappeared down the hallway, Fiona exhaled in relief.
"Thank you," she whispered to Daisy.
"No need," Daisy said, handing back the bag. "Just take it to your room before he comes back."
Fiona hurried up the stairs and closed her bedroom door, letting out another long breath.
Days rolled by, and Friday arrived. Hours before the party. Fiona paced, thinking over and over how she would sneak out. Eventually, she came up with an idea… one that required Daisy's help.
Still in her school uniform, she rushed to Daisy's room, knocking lightly.
"Come in," Daisy called out.
Fiona stepped in, finding Daisy in her robe, hair loose over her shoulders.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I need a favor."
Daisy narrowed her eyes slightly, adjusting her robe.
"A favor?"
"It's about the party," Fiona said, closing the door behind her. "I need you to act as a decoy for me. Just this once."
"Hmm. Continue."
Daisy bit the inside of her cheek, listening.