I am hit with the air conditioning and an overbearing aroma of vanilla. It is so sweet that it almost makes me barf.
I look around the boutique. Even the glass walls allow for any spectator to look inside but the view from outside does not do this justice.
The entire decor is minimalist but chic.
I would never have guessed this was all for just uniform fitting. Everything here looks like it was always meant to be here.
But at the same time, it all looks like a house of cards.
If I turn a vase on that side just a little, or maybe pick out a rose from one vase and put it somewhere else, it feels like the entirety of this place will crumble.
Of course, I know that is not true and my mind is just hyperactive, on alert mode, absorbing all the pieces of information it can within the least amount of time.
But does that stop me from having these thoughts or observing all the intricate details around me?
No.
A petite woman in a dark skirt and crisp shirt comes up to me.
She gives me a once-over and puts on her practiced smile. She doesn't want me here any more than I want to be here.
"Welcome to our boutique, how may I help you miss?" she speaks with eloquence.
"Uh, I had... uh... an appointment. For... dress fitting?" I speak with the elegance of a toddler.
I don't even know why I am stuttering but I can't help it.
This is all so much to take in.
She asks me to follow her to a more quaint area which I assumed was the reception, maybe?
I gawk around the area, sure that my jaw has already hit the floor.
This looks like it is out of a freaking ballroom. The more I move inside, the better the interior gets.
How is this place selling school uniforms?
Do they also sell wedding dresses on the side?
I highly doubt that.
"Oh, I see. Under what name, may I ask?" she walks back to behind her desk, her heels making a clicking sound with each step.
I count the steps she takes to distract me and hope it is enough for me not to pass out.
"Lee Yuri. Um, no sorry. Uh... Choi San. The appointment is under the name Choi San" I stutter out finally.
Great going, Yuri.
Just taking San's name makes my anger towards him double and I want to kill him all over again.
If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be stuck here alone, stuttering and losing my mind inside out.
I really was going to kill him once I got out.
I try my best that my face does not give away how angry I am at him for leaving me alone here.
"Ah yes. We have it noted down. Are you here to get a new uniform or get something fixed in your existing one?" she asks politely and I just nod.
Her smile stretched and her eyes fixed on me.
Words, Yuri. Words.
Use your god damn words.
Here I am wanting to be a writer and now I can't even get a few affirmative words out in front of a receptionist.
"Uh, I want a new summer uniform please" I finally manage to say and she nods her head once and turns around.
She asks me to follow her and I do.
I would rather stick by her side than roam around this place alone.
I just feel like a kid who might break anything they touch here.
She whispers something to another woman and that woman asks me to follow her further in.
I quietly do so with my clammy palms by my side as I try my best not to heave out breaths or make too much noise while walking.
The area here looks much more secluded.
Maybe I am just paranoid but I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.
Why am I so nervous here?
I look around and almost bump a vase set on top of a small pillar.
My eyes widen and I move away quickly.
I make a mental note not to go anywhere near any kind of decoration or potentially fragile items. This will not bode well for me.
I am sure the decorations here are worth a lot.
I definitely don't have the money to compensate for any damages that may occur if I were to break something here and besides, my parents only gave me as much money for the uniform and some extra to treat San to a decent meal for helping me.
Yeah, fat chance on that!
The guy had yet to show up.
I know it is not his fault. I know how demanding the school is but it still meant I was here alone so no.
There was no way I would treat him. In fact, he should buy me food for abandoning me.
The woman asks me to take a seat on the ivory couch and hands me a pen and paper, asking me to fill out the required information.
I am hesitant to sit on the ivory couch as I remember how I fell on the pavement.
What if it leaves a stain?
Seeing how the woman was not moving from her place, I passed her a smile and tried to attempt an air squat over the couch.
I don't have the glute strength for this. Still, I manage to fill out the extremely detailed questionnaire and hand it back to her.
She takes a look at it and then goes into another room.
I get up from my seat and make sure that there is no dirt on the couch. I stretch my legs a little, still ever careful not to make physical contact with anything here.
The woman returns within five minutes with an entire set of uniforms and ushers me towards the trial room.
The trial room is a big circular area with mirrors all around.
It looks like those bridal trial rooms from the movies.
I didn't think a place like that existed in real life.
This place is too extravagant.
I need to get out of here as soon as possible.
I robotically change into the uniform, ever careful that my pit sweat does not stain the shirt, and look at myself in the mirrors.
Even though the purpose of the mirror is to make sure you can see yourself from different angles to confirm the fit is correct, it only ends up highlighting insecurities.
The tie feels too tight on my neck.
The blazer looks fake.
My bare face and matted hair do not suit the uniform.
I look like an impostor.
I feel like an impostor.
The uniform cost more than all the items of clothing I owned combined.
I didn't see the appeal. It just didn't suit me but I needed this for attending Royals High.
My new school.
I changed out of it and back into my clothes before coming out and telling the woman that everything fit perfectly and I was ready for the payment.
She asked me if I wanted to try a few more fits to see if there was a difference but I didn't have it in me to wear it again.
I swipe my card and complete my payment.
She hands me my uniform in a red and white striped paper bag with an unnecessary amount of tissue paper.
"Since you are a first-timer, we have a complimentary gift waiting for you at the reception. Please follow me" the woman says with a smile and I nod my head.
Okay.
I didn't need any gift but who says no to free stuff?
Not me.
Just then I get a call from San.
"Yuri. I am done with my work. I am leaving school right now. I will be there within 10 minutes. Sorry for keeping you waiting" he apologizes over the phone.
I can hear him heaving.
He must have been running.
Now I feel sorry for him.
"No need. Relax. I am done. I got the uniform. I am also supposedly getting a complimentary gift" I shrug and look up to see the woman gone.
Shit.
Where did she go?
"Oh yeah. They give you a candle and chocolates. The chocolates are really good. Save some for me -" he whines and I tell him I'll call him later before hanging up.
Shit.
Where did she go?
I didn't want to roam around this place alone.
I start speed walking, trying to retrace my path back from this secluded area but I don't know which way's what.
I turn a blind corner when I hear the voice before I see them.
"Is he really back? Well then do something about it, I don't care. I don't want him here"
It all happens too fast.
One moment I am walking, and the next moment I am sprawled on the floor with liquid all over me.
Shit.