Chaos in the Mall

It was winter and the snow fell lightly.

His breath was visible in the cold air and the only thing he had on was a large coat made to look small by his muscular body.

"You look like a lumber jack", Publié said while snickering. She had a woolly scarf and a cotton hat on to warm her small pink body.

"Shut up. It's the only thing that would fit in the house", Neon snapped back burying his large hands in the cotton pockets.

"Your telling me this is from your dad? I wouldn't believe it if all hell broke down", Publié said as they kept walking through the empty streets with nothing but snow on the streets and trees.

"Don't joke around he's really sensitive about stuff like this", Neon said as his feet crunched against the gravel floor.

Neon's head flashed back to this morning.

"Here. I used to wear this all the time", Neon's father said as he handed him the large brown coat.

"Why do I feel like you bought this a long time ago and realized it doesn't fit so you just kept it, hoping you'll get to use it one day.", Neon said reluctantly taking the blanket-like-coat.

"What did you just say you ungrateful little shit", his face turned red and he snatched the coat back. "Get your own coat if I'm such a fool for keeping it!" Neon's father spat, his grip tightening on the coat.

Neon sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't mean it like that, old man. Just... it looks huge, even for you."

His father's scowl lingered for a moment before softening. With a grunt, he shoved the coat back into Neon's arms. "Just take it. It's warm."

Neon hesitated but eventually slid his arms through the sleeves. The fabric smelled faintly of dust and something familiar—his father's cologne, maybe.

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks," he muttered.

Back in the present, the cold wind nipped at Neon's nose as he shook the memory away.

"You went quiet," Publié noted, her breath forming little puffs in the air.

"Just thinking," he replied, pulling the coat tighter around himself.

She nudged him playfully. "So... did he actually buy it for himself, or was that just something he found in a bargain bin?"

Neon sighed dramatically. "At this point, I don't even wanna know."

The two of them continued walking, their laughter blending with the quiet snowfall, filling the empty streets with something warm.

As Neon and Publié stepped into the mall, the warmth of the indoor heating instantly melted the chill from their skin. The place was buzzing with shoppers, the hum of conversation mixing with the distant melody of a pop song playing through the speakers.

But the moment Neon walked in, everything seemed to slow down.

Heads turned. Conversations stopped. Women—and even some men—gawked as he casually strode forward, his towering frame and rugged good looks making him impossible to ignore. The oversized coat, despite being bulky, somehow added to his mystique, making him look even more effortlessly cool.

"Damn," Publié muttered, glancing around. "I knew you were popular, but this is ridiculous."

Neon, hands still stuffed in his pockets, raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Before she could answer, a group of girls near the entrance giggled and whispered among themselves, sneaking glances his way. One of them, a brunette in a tight sweater, mustered the courage to step forward.

"Hi!" she chirped, eyes sparkling. "Oh my gosh, your coat is so cool! It gives you this... rugged, mysterious vibe."

Neon blinked. "Uh. Thanks?"

Another girl, a redhead this time, gasped. "And your hair! Are you a model?"

At that moment, an employee from a high-end clothing store appeared as if summoned by the sheer force of Neon's attractiveness. She had a tape measure around her neck and a gleam in her eyes.

"Sir, please," she said, clasping her hands together. "You must let us style you. No charge. A man like you deserves only the best fashion."

Neon hesitated, but before he could respond, more people surrounded him.

"Oh my God, look at his jawline."

"His shoulders—he's built like a damn god."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Neon, completely overwhelmed, turned to Publié, who was standing off to the side, barely containing her laughter. Of course, no one else could see her—just him.

"Help," he mouthed.

She smirked. "Nah, you got this, pretty boy."

And just like that, he was whisked away into the nearest store, where employees and customers alike fawned over him. Coats, shirts, pants—everything was handed to him in a blur of fabric and admiration. Girls eagerly pressed new outfits against his frame, offering him everything for free just to see him wear them.

By the time he finally escaped, his arms were full of designer clothes, and his face was red from all the attention.

"That," he exhaled, looking at Publié, "was insane."

She grinned. "Welcome to being ridiculously hot, Neon. Enjoy it while it lasts."

Neon sighed, already regretting everything.

As Neon tried to escape the madness, arms still overloaded with bags of free clothes, he pushed through the automatic doors of the mall, hoping for some fresh air and a moment to breathe.

Big mistake.

Outside, an even bigger crowd had formed, buzzing with excitement. Camera phones were pointed at him, people whispered, and a few fans from inside had rushed out ahead of him.

"Is he an actor?"

"Maybe a prince?"

"Did a celebrity just get discovered in our mall?"

Neon groaned, rubbing his temples. "I swear I didn't ask for any of this—"

Before he could finish, the low hum of an expensive engine filled the air. A pristine white limousine, polished to an almost blinding shine, rolled up in front of the mall entrance. The chauffeur stepped out with precise, practiced movements and opened the door, bowing deeply.

A single designer heel hit the pavement.

Then another.

Out stepped her

Luna.

Sky-blue hair, perfectly styled into two luxurious ponytails, framed a face of pure aristocratic confidence (and mild disgust). Her piercing sky-blue eyes swept over the scene, and she let out a dramatic sigh, brushing off imaginary dust from her expensive dress.

The crowd gasped in recognition.

"It's Luna Crestfall!"

"The billionaire's daughter?!"

"She shops here?"

Luna flipped her hair, completely ignoring the common folk. "Finally, my ride's here. Took long enough." She lifted her chin and prepared to walk toward the limo—

Then she saw him.

Neon.

Standing there, looking way too good for someone wearing a coat that clearly wasn't his size. The crowd was swarming around him, girls were still whispering excitedly, and worst of all—her limo had arrived at the exact moment he was stepping out of the building, making it look like it was for him.

Her perfectly shaped eyebrow twitched.

"What," she said, loud enough for the entire crowd to hear, "is that doing in my spotlight?"

Neon blinked, looking around. "Huh?"

"She's totally into you," Publié whispered mischievously in his ear. "Look at how much attention she's giving you."

Neon frowned. "You think so?"

"Bro, trust me."

Luna stormed up to him, glaring. "Who even are you?"

Neon sighed dramatically. "Look, I know I'm good-looking, but I'm not interested."

The crowd collectively gasped.

Luna's eye twitched. "What did you just say?"

Neon turned to Publié, speaking just loud enough for Luna to hear. "She's really trying, huh?" He faced Luna again, shaking his head with mock sympathy. "I get it, you're used to guys chasing you. But I like a girl with a little more humility."

Luna's jaw dropped. "You absolute moron, I would rather drown in discount perfume than even think about liking you!"

Neon sighed, crossing his arms. "Denial's a powerful thing."

"I hate you!"

"And yet," Neon said, smirking, "you can't stop talking to me."

The crowd exploded.

"Oh my god, did he just shut down Luna Crestfall?!"

"Nobody's ever done that before!"

"He's fearless!"

Luna clenched her fists, her entire body shaking in rage. "You— you— you— UGH!" She whipped around, storming back toward her limo. "This isn't over, you peasant!"

The chauffeur quickly scrambled to open the door, and Luna disappeared inside.

As the limo sped off, Neon turned to Publié. "That went well."

Publié wiped a fake tear from her eye. "Beautiful. Truly beautiful."

Neon stretched, finally feeling some of the tension leave his body. "Alright, can we go home now?"

But the crowd was still there, now more obsessed than ever.

Publié grinned. "Not a chance, lover boy."