RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 33: FRIDA -

Frida felt like shopping for random stuff for the Thanksgiving trip that evening.

She needed some good old girl time, a chance to let her mind wander without the weight of emotions pressing down on her chest.

She couldn’t let some mysterious figure prevent her from living her life, and being the girl she’d always been.

The streets of New York were alive with their usual buzz, the golden glow of streetlights reflecting off the damp pavement from an earlier drizzle.

Cars honked intermittently, and the smell of roasted chestnuts from a street vendor wafted through the air.

Pedestrians shuffled along the sidewalks, some in hurried strides, others leisurely enjoying the crisp breeze.

She walked past vibrant storefronts adorned with holiday decorations, wreaths, fairy lights, and cheerful signs advertising sales. The warm, festive atmosphere made her smile despite herself.

Couples filled the streets laughing, smiling, and just being with each other. It caused an odd fluttery feeling in her stomach.

A certain couple held hands quietly they didn’t say much, they simply smiled and walked, the man would randomly give the woman kisses and she would blush.

And Frida felt like she was oddly intruding into their beautiful space and walked faster, her treacherous heart should not desire such things.

She didn’t want love or a relationship right now, medical school was her complete focus at the moment and she didn’t need any distractions.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out seeing his text.

"Your beautiful in your coat."

She bite down on her lips speechless and shoved the phone back into her pocket.

The convenience store was her first stop, a cozy little place nestled between a bakery and a boutique.

She stood in the stationary aisle, running her fingers along the rows of notebooks, their smooth covers gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

She liked her notebooks in different colors, neatly arranged in a rainbow format: red, yellow, green, blue, purple, orange, pink, and purple again.

There was something soothing about seeing them in perfect order, like she was organizing her own chaos.

She spent a few extra moments debating whether to pick up a few extra notebooks, letting herself enjoy the simple pleasure of choosing.

The faint sound of the cashier chatting with a customer drifted through the aisles, blending with the soft hum of the refrigerator in the back.

The weather outside was perfect, with a warm breeze that kissed her skin gently as it slipped past her.

She could still feel the light buzz of New York life humming in the background, its rhythm grounding her, comforting her.

Dressed in a French coat, a wool sweater, and a black pleated skirt paired with knee-length boots, she felt slightly overdressed for casual shopping.

But she liked how the outfit made her feel, super girly, with a touch of confidence she didn’t often get to indulge.

You look beautiful in a coat.

Her next stop was the mall, which was already brimming with people preparing for the holidays.

She was not a fan of crowded places so she wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. She could stay in her dorm forever or he would drive her crazy.

The glass doors slid open, releasing a rush of warm, perfumed air that carried hints of cinnamon and vanilla from a nearby candle store.

The polished tiles gleamed under the bright lights, reflecting the hustle and bustle of shoppers darting in and out of stores.

Frida wandered through the aisles of a clothing store, her fingers brushing against soft fabrics as she browsed for new jeans and T-shirts.

She found a pair of fitted jeans that hugged her just right and a few graphic tees that felt effortlessly cool.

She couldn’t resist stopping by the electronics aisle to buy a glow-in-the-dark mini speaker.

It reminded her of the warm glow of lights he had installed in her dorm room, the way they made the space feel cozier, more alive.

With a small, secret smile, she added some Hello Kitty stickers to her basket for her wall.

Her growing obsession with the iconic cat was becoming more and more obvious. Maybe she should finally get a cat too.

The idea lingered, warm and tempting, as she continued shopping.

She passed a shelf of mugs and tumblers and found herself picking out a cute bunny-shaped mug and a Hello Kitty tumbler to match.

They were charming, playful, exactly the kind of things she didn’t need but couldn’t resist.

At another aisle, she spotted glitter pens. She grabbed a few, letting her fingers trail over the jellycats lined up neatly on the shelf nearby.

For a moment, she stared at them, tempted by their softness and charm. But then a thought crossed her mind, wasn’t she too old to still be buying plush toys?

She laughed quietly to herself and moved on.

Her final stop was the drugstore, located a few blocks away.

The familiar smell of medicinal creams and light antiseptics greeted her as she stepped inside.

The store was small and brightly lit, with shelves lined with everything from cough syrups to skincare products.

The store owner was a woman with short brown hair, chubby cheeks, and glasses that perched lightly on her nose. She was always friendly, and Frida appreciated that.

"Hi! The usual?" the woman chirped as Frida approached the counter.

"Yes, please," Frida replied with a warm smile, handing over her prescription list.

While the store owner gathered the vitamins and supplements she’d asked for, Frida let her eyes wander.

Her gaze flickered over the shelves filled with neatly organized products, stopping briefly at the shelf stocked with condoms.

She quickly looked away, her cheeks heating.

Why would I need something like that? she scoffed inwardly, shaking her head as if to banish the thought.

Her attention was caught by a glittering flash in a tight corner of the store. She turned slowly, curiosity sparking in her chest.

"What was that?" she wondered aloud, stepping closer.