Eyes and there was a lot of them. I was used to being a spectacle of attention, whether it is good or bad. Most from those around me in school, staring at me in awe. However, being in public I received different glances. Ones of disgust and curiosity. Why you may ask? Because I was a princess and I played the part too. The very image I portrayed was that of royalty. Thanks to my poofy gowns and curled blonde hair. This wasn't the normal fashion choice people were used too so being in public brought unwanted looks.
Beside me was Mother, who was shopping for stuff to dress me in. This was her favorite thing to do, find new dresses or accessories to show me off in. To her, all the looks we received from others was praise, she was doing a wonderful job of showing off her princess. Sometimes I think she sees me more of a dress-up doll than her child. She made sure I look extra extraordinary for her outing today. I wore a light pink gown that fluffed out like a cloud but stopped at my ankles so it could show my chunky red heels. The top of the dress had a small white bow that sparkled and my sleeves went out and tightly wrapped around my wrist. My hair was curled tightly but put up in a high ponytail, tied back with a white ribbon. My makeup was simple today, simply put on to bring out my features.
We passed a group of teens who couldn't help laugh at my appearance, but I ignored them. I knew how to overlook everyone. They couldn't faze me, I wasn't going to let them. I was above petty laughs and meaningless glares. As we got closer to Mother's destination, her smile grew larger. Today was going to be a long one, Mother always took her time dressing me. She had to take lots of pictures and think about which dress she would like to buy, only the best one could go home with her. With my peculiar choice in attire, there was only one store that had what my mother wanted, which was a lolita store.
Kill me.
We went inside the brightly colored establishment and were greeted by a tall lanky woman. She wore her store's merchandise like she was a model herself. Not to be rude but it did not match her appearance at all for she was built for something like a suit, not a frilly little girl's dress. I related with her though, I wasn't built for this type of style either. However, Mother just forced me to wear this. "Hello!" She brightly welcomed us, "It's nice to see you back!" She referred to my mother.
"You know I can't stay away for long." My mother fanned her face, "I came to see your new gowns that came it!"
The woman fanned her face as well, "Oh yes, we got them in yesterday. Right, this way."
She led us to the back of the store where dresses were hung around the wall, so they could display all their colors and details. The new gowns were always in the back so the old product could sell easier since they were the first thing people could see when they entered the store. Mother's eyes grew with wonder as all the beautiful dresses glittered in front of her. It was like a rainbow vomited all over the place and she was glad to clean it up by buying some of it.
I was not as bewildered as she was, for all of them looked the same in my eyes. All I have to do is close my mind off, to ignore all of this and before I know it, I will be home. Mother began talking to the woman on which dress to pull down first, they both couldn't decide as they had different opinions. Mother loved this though, it gave her an opportunity to show off her knowledge of lolita fashion. I saw this as a chance for me to step away from the two and breathe.
"Mother, may I go grab a drink from the stand next door?"
She gave me her side-eye, "Do hurry up, we have a lot to try on."
I nodded, leaving the store with a slight smile. Going back into the sea of eyes wasn't ideal but it was better than being around those two. Walking to the nearby stall my eyes wandered to the store next to it. They sold common fashion, clothes that normal people would wear. I've seen this store many times but right now, it looked more appealing. Before I knew it, I walked past the stand and was in front of the shop. Displayed from the window were some men's outfits such as tight pants and loose shirts. They all shined to me and wanted a closer look. Going into the place, I went to the men's section and couldn't help but run my fingers over the simple fabric. My hand grabbed a T-shirt that had a soccer ball on it. To anyone else, this wouldn't be worth buying but to me, it was like a diamond lost in the sand. To the side of the wall were some pants and I grabbed a pair of black sweats.
What was I think? If Mother catches me in here I'll be dead meat but the temptation was too powerful and I found myself asking for a key to a changing room. Then I paused, won't the employees find it odd if I go in there with boy's clothes and I obviously look like a girl. I quickly sidetracked and grabbed the nearest dress. This should be good enough. The employee didn't ask questions and lead me to a dressing room. Once inside I looked at myself in the mirror.
Before I was 'Yuki', the girl everyone knew. This perfect princess had a role to play, but beneath that was someone else. Who that person was, I didn't know yet but they kept trying to claw through. It was a hindrance to my everyday life as 'Yuki' but I was curious to see who this other person was. So for now, at this very moment, I wanted to let this other person out. I had to see them in front of me.
Slipping off my dress and shoes, I paused. Seeing my naked body felt weird this time, was this because I was doing something I normally wouldn't do. Past the braw and very constricting panties, was the true me. In a quick act of sudden anger, I ripped off the remainder of my clothing. Trying to calm down my breathing, before I was what I wanted to see. This was me! Why can't I always be this way! Why must I always try to hind what I am? Mother? Or is it because of something more?
Grabbing the pants, I slipped them on. They were slightly too big but still hung around my small waist. Seeing my shirtless frame but with pants gave me confidence. The reflection of a boy showed through the mirror making me blush as I was not used to seeing this even if it was just me. I dressed in the shirt and almost gasped. To others, this would be sleepwear but to me, I truly looked like the person I wanted to be. I tried studying myself at different angles but my eyes got caught on my long ponytail. My fantasy was crushed. All excitement left me as I stood there, my gaze glued to the curly mess on top of my head.
Then I heard a voice.
"Did they forget to lock this one?" A male voice questioned.
My heart stopped as I saw my door was indeed not locked. Before I could grab the lock to turn it, the door opened revealing the devil. Kyoya paused and in his hands, I saw some white shirts. He went to shut the door but then stopped, we were both quiet as he studied what was going on. Looking down he saw my big poofy dress in the corner along with my undergarments. However, what really caught his attention was me. He wasn't dumb and we both knew that. My striking blonde hair and blue eyes gave me away. That and the big dress on the ground, there was only one girl he knew who wore that type of clothing.
"Kyoya, did you get the key to the dressing rooms?" A voice called out behind him.
He looked me straight in the eyes and only smirked, fixing his glasses. He calmly closed the door and answered his friend, "There's only one available, we will have to take turns."
"You can go first since you have less." When the voice got closer I could tell it was Tamaki.
I fell into the corner of the changing room, covering my mouth not wanting to make a sound. Do rich people really shop at this store? Why can't they go spend their money elsewhere?! Oh, what am I going to do? I'm trapped in here. Kyoya is outside waiting for Tamaki to finish and he saw me as a boy! If I leave now wearing my dress, he will know it is me. He can't learn my secret.
"How do I look?" Tamaki asked, I heard him open his door.
"Hmm, I say try the other one on." Kyoya replied, "we have all day to find the right shirt." He said that last sentence loudly so I could hear.
My heart was pounding in my ears. I need to calm down and think of a way out of here. Freaking out isn't going to help me in this situation. There has to be a way out. Suddenly, my phone lit up from my pile of clothes. It was Mother, she was telling me to hurry along as she found some dresses for me to wear. Now is really not the time for her to be rushing me.
Looking myself in the mirror, seeing my 'blue' eyes stare back. Was this really worth it? To have one moment of freedom, to see me in a way that made me happy? Perhaps not, by doing this I made myself vulnerable. However, it was nice to be reminded that the person deep inside me existed.
I removed the clothes I was wearing and put my dress back on. Fixing my hair, I sighed. There was nothing I could do, I was stuck and had to face the consequences of my actions. Besides I can lie my way out of this somehow. Once, I returned to being 'Yuki'. I opened the door with a straight face, ready to face the devil.
I was met with bright purple eyes, "Yuki?"
"T-Tamaki?" I stuttered.
What happened? Wasn't he the one in the changing room beside me? The door was locked so someone was in here. Kyoya maybe?
He smiled at me, "shopping too? Did you not find anything you liked?" He noticed I came out without any clothes. I left them in the room for the employees to get but I also didn't want Kyoya seeing me with them.
"I'm afraid not, " I said, making sure my voice was in check. "I've decided to look elsewhere."
He tilted his head slightly, "this place doesn't really carry your style. You look lovely by the way."
I got annoyed at his compliment. His princely charms were not going to work on me. Was I not allowed to shop at places that didn't suit me? Wait, that doesn't matter. What I need to do is get out of here before Kyoya gets done and sees me. I was getting ready to say my goodbyes when Tamaki suddenly got flustered. His cheeks turned a light pink hue as he looked away from me. It was weird seeing the all-powerful prince so vulnerable.
"I was wondering if you could-" He let his sentence runoff.
Tilting my head, "What is it?"
"It would be nice if you would like to go shopping with me sometime." He finally said.
For a second I didn't know what to say, he couldn't be possibly asking me out. No, that would ridiculous. He was a host member, they have an image to uphold. Also, so do I. Then again, I'm sure Mother would love to see me walking around with a literal incarnation of a prince. Tamaki would be the only person she would think about letting near me. Wait, stop with the thoughts, you are a boy! You can't go on a date with Tamaki. That's just crazy.
"I can't-"
He stopped me before I could continue. "Hold on!" He said in defense, waving his hands around, "I need your help with something. You're very feminine and I could use your expertise."
Here we go with another compliment I am not happy to hear. So he just needs my help? He doesn't want to go on a date with me? My chest tightened a little bit, making me bite my lip in annoyance. Not because I was disappointed, but because he could get my body to react in such a way. This is for the best, wasn't I just telling myself that the simple idea of going out with him was ludicrous. I still wasn't thrilled about being seen with him, why would I help him anyway?
"I don't know. I am quite busy." I politely smiled.
Then the changing room door opened, "Why can't you help him?" Kyoya questioned. His attire was elegant and sleek, showing off a tightly fitted button-up shirt in white. His black pants also clung to his skin. Seeing him in something else other than the school uniform was foreign and I didn't know how to feel about it.
I tried to come up with something, "My home life is rather complicated." I ended up just saying the truth.
He leaned against the stall door, crossing his arms. "He is seeking your expertise and being such a high student in the school, this shouldn't be a problem for you." Was he trying to push my buttons because he is doing just that.
"Listen, Kyoya, if she can't that is okay." Tamaki tried to defend me.
Kyoya wasn't going to back down, "Maybe you don't need her help in style, what I just saw-"
"Of course I can help!" I yelled.
He knew what he needed to do and did just that. He was already going to use what he saw against me. However, I still didn't know how much he knew just by seeing me in those clothing. I didn't want to test it, I needed to be on the safe side. This was going to be a pain but I don't have a choice in the matter.
"Really? That's great!" Tamaki smiled, scratching the back of his head trying not to be awkward. He wasn't going to fight back against Kyoya either and decided to go along with it as well.
He smirked, "It is settled then. We will see you this weekend? Would that suffice?"
"You're coming too?" Tamaki questioned.
Kyoya nodded, "This sounds like an interesting time."
All I wanted to do was snap his thin neck, to get rid of this man who was causing my life stress. Not only do I need to pretend in front of Tamaki, now I need to really watch myself since Kyoya was hitching along. I knew exactly why, he wanted to see me slip up. He wanted to peel away at my secret in any way he could. Kyoya was smart and watching me around his friend was the way to go. He could observe for any mistake I could make. However, I wasn't dumb either.
He wants to make this a game, then let's have fun with it.
