[chapter two]

Augusta had long focused on the shoes that were for James. Many memories struggle to live on. Augusta rolled her eyes and was hesitant to deliver the ordered shoe, she could ditch James's order because of what he did.

She blew her curtain bangs hard and shook her head at the nonsense she was thinking.

She decided to set the box aside away from stacks, it will be best for that shoe to remain in her room. However, her father nagged and took the box on the shipping truck, he thought it was misplaced.

Augusta couldn't find the box after the truck left. That's when she realized that she was doomed, the box just got delivered.

"I. Am. Doomed," was the only thing she hissed out of disbelief. Augusta never wanted to curse at the world so bad, but here she is. It left no choice but to think about how the shoes will look on him.

The Italian leather shoe was crafted with passion and God-knows-what summer love truly is.

At the campus, Augusta was almost avoiding everyone at school. Her steps were fast and heavy as if someone was chasing her and she avoided the people she bumped into.

The gust was getting along of glum and awkward she felt, awkward enough not to tie her hair today

In her mind, James could probably be lurking somewhere on the campus, Augusta knows that Betty will be annoyed if she knows about the shoe that she made. With that being said, she genuinely hated her position right now. Augusta's mind floated when she collided with someone and grabbed her hand.

"Augusta, I've been looking for you for a while!" It's Inez, her friend. She was the sudden stroke of hope to keep her mind distracted from him.

Inez takes her to the second building cafeteria. Augusta's grateful for Inez for finding her and she just lets Inez take her wherever it goes.

At this very moment, she badly wants to consume her lunch somewhere as she was certain that James already received the shoe.

As she was busy consuming her lunch, a girl approached her. Again, it's Betty, who happens to have a class in the same building.

"Hi! I'm sorry for interrupting. Do you remember me? I haven't introduced myself formally. I'm Betty, by the way. We met during the Mozart Descendant Meeting." Betty nicely stated.

"Hello. Yes- yes, I do recall you. I'm Augusta, it's nice to meet you again." Augusta fragmented uttered while nodding.

Betty's fingers went cold; Augusta was beautiful up close than she expected. "I haven't returned the pen, which I borrowed. So, I am giving this instead," she pursed her lips and offered her inkjet pen set. It was an eight-color pen variation, which was indeed handy for her.

That single pen that she borrowed from Augusta almost cost her position as the secretary. She was lucky enough that day to finish the meeting minutes on time without being scolded, Betty took that seriously.

"Oh, you really don't have to bother. Besides, I handed it over wholeheartedly, Betty."

"All right. Please. Just take it, will you? Anyway, I have to go now. Thank you again, Augusta." Betty left with a kind smile and pure intentions as she held his boyfriend's hand, James, who's waiting for her at the exit. Betty felt bubbly as she reached for his warm palm.

"You're very much welcome, Betty..." She vocalized in her mind.

Augusta's eyes followed where Betty was headed. She froze when the hands of Betty and James met and intertwined. Even tightened. She can still remember his bareback when they swam at the lake nearby the outskirts.

His back beneath the beaming sun was once perfectly tanned, the same with her shoulders. She remembered how she badly want to draw her name on his skin with a pen. Augusta chortled and shrugged her thoughts off.

And she remained stoned in her seat, staring at them and the pair of shoes that she made.

© Leo Polaris