In turn, she found a frilly pink thing with excessive ribbons and handed it to him. "This would suit you, actually."
Zayn held it up and squinted. "You know what? I think I saw something like this yesterday in Tobias's room."
They paid for their picks — Zayn covering half despite Althea's playful protests — and stepped out into the midday sun, bags in hand.
It wasn't until they'd walked halfway down the street that she stopped.
"Zayn," she said.
He turned to look at her, the late morning breeze brushing through her silver hair.
"Let's start again," she said, holding out her hand. "Hi. I'm Althea."
Zayn paused for a second, then grinned, shaking her hand with exaggerated formality. "Zayn. Local hero. Slightly confused, easily flustered."
"Nice to meet you," she said with a smile that softened her whole face.
"Likewise. And hey, for the record?"
"Yeah?"
"You looked amazing back there."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away — but her smile didn't fade.
