"I was never one to believe or bank on the idea of Luck...and those who do are those of foreign mindsets I cannot truly understand..."

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Seonghwa POV:

The next morning, I woke up two hours before the planned meet up time for the mall. Sleep was practically nonexistent for me, as all I could do was toss and turn the entire night due to nerves building up as each hour crept closer and closer. My mind was running rampant, stressed over not only finding an outfit that I'd truly like, but also trying not to embarrass myself.

Getting up, I decided to shower and take care of my hair, remembering that my haircut was long overdue.
In most cases, I would've just cut off a good amount to start the process of growth all over again. However, I didn't want to change my appearance to something completely different from the look that Hongjoong noticed me as first.

Standing in front of the mirror, the cold metal scissors in hand, I took a deep breath before slowly snipping away at the ends. My hair had reached past my collarbone, and I chose to cut only to the starting point of my shoulder, keeping the right amount of length to still style it the way I wanted later.

After a few minutes, I smiled at myself with a small amount of pride. "Great."

Quickly grabbing a broom to sweep up everything, I glanced at the clock and took notice of the time, realizing that I only had an hour left before the boys would come to get me. "Shit."

Breezing through my shower and hygiene routine, I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a matching shirt to wear to the mall, just in time as my doorbell rang, marking their arrival. Grabbing my keys and phone, I rushed over to the door and open to see the two males with smiles on their faces. Yunho spoke up first as he squealed. "Today is the day!"

"I noticed you cut your hair," Yeosang teased, "you really trying to have him faint, huh?"

Rolling my eyes while biting back a blush, I shook my head. "It was time for a trim, anyway. Are we ready to go?"

"I hope so, this eager puppy wouldn't stop rambling all morning on the phone." Yeosang sighed, jiggling his car keys, "I'm driving."

Yunho pouted. "I'm just happy for him, and I'm excited to finally be able to take him shopping."

"Alright, alright, let's go."

"Good, because we still need to eat breakfast too." I added with a smile.

The two led the way to the car while playfully bickering amongst each other, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of warmth wash over me at the sight. Grateful wasn't enough to describe how I felt about the two males offering to help me. Having both Yunho and Yeosang willingly come along and encourage me made me feel truly loved and cared for.

"Hwa, you okay?" Yunho asked as we reached Yeosang's car. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, holding back tears. "It's nothing, don't worry."

"If it was Yunho and his loud rambling so early in the morning, I apologize."

"Hey!"

•••

Reaching the mall, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiousness at the sight of it. It had been years since I've visited a mall to get things for myself, so the feeling wasn't as normal as one would think. However, I chose to focus on the lighter side of the moment, one where the opportunity to spend money on myself for the first time was a chance without any reservations.

"Ready to go inside?" Yeosang asked.

I nodded with a smile. "Yeah, let's go."

The three of us made our way into the building, instantly being hit with a cold gush of air upon entering. The feeling was welcomed, only further acknowledging the reality of the moment for me.

Yunho spoke up first with eagerness, pointing at a nearby boutique. "Let's go to this store!"

"You only want to go there for yourself. Did you already forget the reason why we are even here?" Yeosang rolled his eyes. "This is about Hwa, not you."

"Obviously, you asshole," Yunho scowled, "I'm saying I think they might have options he may like!"

"Alright alright, we can go. Stop bickering, we just got here."

With a proud smile, Yunho took charge in leading us to the desired store with excitement. Both Yeosang and I exchanged amused glances as each other, but followed in suit with the male. However, as we were walking, a lady from a jewelry stand tapped me on the shoulder with a smile. "I'm sorry, but are you a model by any chance?"

My eyes grew wide and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "No, I-I'm not...."

"He could be, right? He has the looks for it!" Another woman chimed in from across the path at another stand."

Yeosang smirked. "He does, doesn't he? But why did you ask?"

The first woman spoke up with a warm laugh. "It was a compliment, but I do apologize for startling you. Here," she held out a small bag, "free earrings for you."

"Oh no, I couldn't take that, really."

"Nonsense, here!" The other woman held out another bag, "these are hair clips! Please take them!"

Stunned in my spot, Yeosang grabbed both bags before bowing in appreciation, grabbed my arm with a teasing smile at the two. "Thank you very much, he's just shy. Come on, Hwa."

"You two have a good day!" Both women said in unison.

It wasn't until we were a good enough distance away before Yeosang broke out into laughter, breaking me out of my dizzy spell. "Wow, Hwa. Today really is your day, huh?"

"Yeosang, you shouldn't have taken those..." I said bashfully, "I don't know how to feel about free stuff."

"Hwa, this stuff was a gift to you from just being you. Besides, I highly doubt those ladies would've let you escaped without taking it anyway."

Fighting back the urge to deny, I chose to silently accept it for now as we caught up to Yunho, who was already holding clothing pieces in hand with a smile. "You guys took forever and I didn't want to waste any time."

"It was like five minutes, Yu. Stop being dramatic." Yeosang rolled his eyes, glancing at the pieces with a raised brow, "these actually look good."

"Thank you," Yunho grinned, handing the clothing to me, "go try this on! I took into account your preferences. No arguing."

With a sigh, I nodded and took the items, following his finger in direction of the changing rooms as instructed. Once inside an empty stall, I took a moment to look at each piece chosen before beginning to try out the options: a dark green vest-like top with light brown pants to complement.

Chuckling to myself, I shook my head. "I'd be lying to myself if I said I was mad...I do like these..."

Opening up the door, the two males smiled in agreement. "Wow, you look great Hwa." Yeosang complimented.

Yunho scoffed. "I knew he would, which is why I went ahead and got other pieces similar already!"

"Remember, this is time for me to actually shop for myself?" I laughed. "I do appreciate your eagerness, though."

"Right, sorry... Well, since you like this, we can buy it and then go somewhere else that you choose."

Nodding in agreement, I closed the door and quickly changed out of the outfit and back into my regular clothes, mentally noting to come back to this place for future shopping trips.

Stepping out the changing room, I made my way to the counter where the two males patiently waited. In this moment, it would be the first time I've ever been able to buy things for myself without the stress or worry of not having enough later for necessary things such as food or bills.

At the counter, an elderly male stood behind with a soft smile. "Did you find what you like, son?"

I nodded, gesturing to Yunho behind me with a playful roll of eyes as I pulled out my wallet. "Well, more like I had help...but I did. Thank you."

However, the elderly male shook his head as he bagged the clothing items. "No need to pay for these, son. You actually happen to be our one hundredth customer of the day. Therefore, these are all free."

"Sir, I couldn't take all these for free. I-"

"No way, Hwa! Today must be your lucky day! This boutique always gives free clothes for every hundredth customer, and that's you?!" Yunho squealed. "That's amazing!"

Yeosang smirked. "First the accessories, and now the clothes? Wow, talk about a morning."

Fighting back a blush, I took the clothing bags from the elder and bowed. "T-Thank you..."

All he did was smile and shook his head. "Take it as a sign that your fate is destined for nothing but positive things. Keep your head up, okay?"

Stunned into silence at the words, all I could do was nod before bowing in goodbye, while the two behind me wrapped each of their arms around my shoulder with smiles.

Maybe things are actually getting better for me....