"But…I don't like needles…"
Tseng sighed; they stood outside the little store. She had acted all excited when he had informed her of his present to her, but now that they were outside the store, little Aerith was having second thoughts…
"It's not going to hurt, Aerith." Tseng said, "It's not going to be any worse then when you'd scratch yourself or stub your toe."
"But…but stubbing your toe hurts!" Aerith said, she sidestepped and hid around Tseng's legs, so she couldn't see the store.
"Come on, Aerith." He said, entering the store. She stayed on the sidewalk for about thirty seconds, then Tseng was beginning to worry that she really wasn't going to come in.
Then she came in, looking around with wild eyes, when she located Tseng, she ran to him and hid behind his legs again.
"Hi, can I help you?" A pretty brunette stood behind the counter.
"Yes, this little girl wanted to get her ears pierced for her birthday." Tseng said.
"Well, happy birthday!" The woman said, coming around the counter and dropping to her knees, "And how old are you today?"
"Eleven." Aerith said.
"You're awfully brave for getting your ears pierced so young. Would you like to go sit in that chair over there?"
Aerith walked slowly, Tseng had to hoist her up so she could get into the chair.
"Okay," The woman said, "which one do you like better?" She held up a case of small silver and gold earrings. Aerith pointed to a pair of silver ones.
"Good choice." The woman said, giving Tseng a wink. "Your daughter?" She said casually.
"No."
"Oh, really?" She smiled again, then walked back behind the counter to get the little machine.
"Does it hurt?" Aerith said, her green eyes getting wide again.
"Not at all. See, look." The woman showed her earring-adorned ears, "I'm a wimp when it comes to pain, so believe me when I say that it doesn't hurt at all."
Aerith took a deep breath, then she closed her eyes.
The woman marked her ears with a little red pen, then set the machine. Aerith pulled her head away as the woman neared.
"Honey, you need to sit still." She reached for Aerith again.
This time, Aerith leaned to the right.
"Come on." The woman grabbed at Aerith's ear.
Aerith screamed and bolted out of the chair, hiding behind Tseng's legs.
He smiled and said, "She's a little nervous."
"I noticed." The woman said, a little more irritated.
Tseng lifted Aerith up and set her back into the chair, then put a hand on her shoulder for comfort. The woman placed the machine on Aerith's ear.
Aerith held her breath, the woman punched the hole, and Aerith still held her breath.
"Aerith," Tseng said, "Breathe."
She let out a whoosh of breath. The woman punched the other hole.
"See?" The brunette said, "All done."
Aerith grimaced. "Why would anyone want to do that more then once?" She said.
The woman gave Aerith a forced smile, "I don't think anyone's going to want to give you another one, so don't worry about it."
Aerith seemed to realize the insult and pouted.
When Tseng paid the woman, Aerith slipped out of the chair, then looked into the small mirror. As the brunette tried to make small talk with Tseng, he was watching Aerith sweep her hair into the front of her ears, so you couldn't see the earrings.
Tseng finally broke off the conversation with the frustrated woman and left with Aerith. The little girl skipped by his feet.
"Why did you do that to your hair? Do you not like them?"
"I like them, and I think I'll keep them, but not in my ears."
Tseng had to process that, then, "You took them out?"
"No one will ever be able to tell if I keep my hair like this."
Tseng rolled his eyes and just smiled.
Title: Earrings
Word Count: 655
Notes: I could never tell if Aerith wore earrings due to the way she wore her hair…