For the entire time Mei was inside the retail store the sound of the little hand held bell could be heard echoing inside the large warehouse style building each time the double doors slid open and another customer walked in. Thankfully she knew what she wanted to get prior to arriving which made listening to the shrilling ring a little less stressful.
Long lines were the worst during holiday seasons. Customers were often cranky because coupons weren’t working or the floor associate was nowhere to be found. Kids everywhere, running up and down toy aisles or crying in shopping carts because they missed their afternoon nap. Honestly though, it wasn't that Mei disliked children; it's just that with everything else going on it was a recipe for a migraine.
Once everything was done and paid for Mei shifted the the strap on her side bag so it rested against her shoulder more comfortably then put Jasper’s present inside. Though, if anyone were to ask, no… they were not dating. They were just jogging partners; that was it. Ok not all true, they were friends… kinda; It’s complicated. She sighed, readjusting the light tan colored scarf around her neck.
As she neared the door the dinging sound grew ever louder till finally she stepped outside.
Ding, ding, ding, ding…
“Can you spare some change please?” An older, slightly overweight, man beamed a smile in Mei’s direction to get her attention. While the Salvation Army was a reputable non profit organization not even Girl Scouts were this relentless; given there was a difference between grown adults and intimidated young girls hoping you’ll buy some cookies.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have any” She replied holding up her hand to keep from further conversation. One of the pitfalls of always paying with a card; while she wasn’t lying when she claimed she had nothing to offer, it did little to lessen the guilt she felt by the disappointed almost put off look he gave her when she passed by.
I get it, it’s the holidays. Tis the season for giving and all that fun stuff but honestly you shouldn’t be begging for donations in such an obnoxious way then get upset when someone says they can’t help. “Ugh.” people like him were the reason she disliked shopping in the first place. While her intentions were well meaning in getting something for both Jasper and her cousin Fai, it was instances like this that made her feel more like she was a Grinch…
“Whatever…” Mei shook her head, a bit more annoyed than she otherwise should be, as she stepped out into the parking lot. There were still a few more errands she needed to run.
By the time she got to her car the door was already unlocked thanks to the lovely FOB which made it easy enough for her to slide inside and set her bag in the passenger's seat. “Okay…” she spoke out loud after turning on the car using the push start button. Where to next…? she wondered while holding her hands out in front of the heater. Enough time had passed since Mei last spent time with her cousin that in all honestly, she wasn’t entirely sure what to get him.I could always bug Shen.[/color Wasn’t a bad idea either since Fai n he was closer to Shen anyways; perhaps he could give her a clue. All that meant was that she had to hope he logged on Skype sometime between now and Christmas Eve.
Either way she got one of the two things left on her list making this day of last minute shopping an overall success and with that final thought Mei put her car into reverse, to give someone else her parking spot, then went home to wrap Jasper's present.
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For Mention
For Mention
Sirene Naiads
Sleet Tempes Snape
