“The Price of Freedom

Part 5

As the huge glass doors of the shopping mall opened, the noise of the city suddenly stayed behind. Inside, everything was bright and beautiful — the golden lights falling from above reflected elegantly on the glass surfaces, while the music coming from the stores gave the whole atmosphere a light and enjoyable mood. In the air, the scents of new perfumes, coffee, and new clothes mixed together.

Anna took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide.

— I live for this feeling.

Mia laughed softly. Today, for the first time in a long while, she was feeling lighthearted. She slightly pulled the sleeve of her black short coat, took off her small black sunglasses, and looked around. Everywhere there were huge showcases, people carrying shiny bags, advertising videos playing on giant screens…

Everything looked like a movie scene.

— Every time you come here, you feel like a girl boss from a TV series, — Mia said with a smile.

Anna dramatically tossed her hair back.

— Because I am.

They both laughed and went up the escalator. As they were going from bottom to top, the whole mall looked like it was in the palm of their hand — the large fountain in the center, couples taking photos around it, people waiting in line in front of expensive boutiques…

Anna suddenly pulled Mia’s hand. — Come on, let’s first check the new collections!

— Anna, we’ve only been inside for two minutes.

— And we don’t waste time.

As soon as they entered a boutique, the bright lights made the colors of the clothes look even more beautiful and elegant. Expensive bags were placed on tall shelves, and mirrored walls made everything look twice as beautiful.

Anna was taking out clothes one after another. — This… no, this too… OHH MIA LOOK!

She was holding a soft white sweater.

Mia laughed and held her head. — You look like you’re about to buy all the clothes in the store.

— It’s an investment.

Mia lightly laughed while feeling the clothes. She felt the softness of the fabric with her fingers. It had been a long time since she had felt such a simple, carefree moment.

Anna pushed her toward the fitting room. — Go, try it on.

After a few minutes, Mia slowly pulled aside the curtain.

Anna went silent.

The light green sweater and black skirt matched Mia’s pale skin very beautifully. Under the bright lights, her blue eyes looked even more beautiful. Mia looked at herself in the mirror for a few seconds… and slowly smiled.

That smile was a sign of happiness.

It was real.

Anna smiled softly. — This. Finally, you look like yourself again.

Mia looked at her. — What do you mean?

— Lately you had become very cold. But now… you’re smiling like before again.

For a moment, both of them stayed silent. Among the music around them, people’s laughter, and the signal sounds from the cash registers, that little moment felt very sincere.

Mia slowly looked at the mirror. — Maybe this doesn’t suit me.

Anna said: — Don’t get on my nerves, guess what this beautiful skirt and sweater are saying to us?

Mia: — Well?

Anna: — BUY US, and she burst out laughing happily.

Anna immediately held her hand. — Today only good mood. No stress at all.

— Promise?

— Promise.

Then suddenly Anna took out her phone and turned on the selfie camera. — Come on, let’s save this moment.

— Anna, is this really necessary?—

— You always look beautiful, stay still.

The camera clicked.

In the picture, the smiles of the two girls looked very natural — one loud and cheerful, the other calm, but truly happy.

Anna looked at the selfie and suddenly shouted.

— No, this came out too perfect!

Mia leaned toward the phone screen and laughed. — I look tired here.

— No. You came out like a mysterious girl aesthetic.

— You spend too much time on t****k.

Anna laughingly rested her head on her shoulder. — Maybe.

They left the boutique and continued walking around the shopping mall again. The huge lights hanging from above spread a soft glow, while the mirrored showcases shined in different colors. As they passed by one store, pleasant French music was heard from inside.

Mia slowly looked around. People were walking around laughing, someone was carrying coffee, someone was hugging gift bags. Everything was ordinary… but it was exactly that ordinariness that she was starting to like.

Anna pulled her hand. — Today is full relax mood.

— When you say “relax,” you take me into five more stores.

— Probably.

Both of them laughed again.

A few minutes later, they entered a cosmetics store. Inside, a pleasant scent of vanilla and flowers was spreading through the air. Different bottles were shining under the lights on beautiful glass shelves.

Anna took one perfume and sprayed it on Mia’s hand. — Here, smell this one.

Mia brought her wrist closer to her nose. The scent was light, clean, and slightly sweet.

Her eyes widened. — Wow… this is really nice.

Anna smiled with a victorious expression. — I don’t choose bad things.

Mia laughed. Sincerely.

Then she took another bottle and sprayed it on Anna. — Now you.

As soon as Anna smelled it, she dramatically held her heart. — I fell in love.

— With the perfume?

— Yes.

Mia laughed again. This time even her laughter came out louder. — Are we buying these? Mia said.

Anna: — Do we even have another choice? she said with a beautiful smile.

Anna watched her and smiled with satisfaction. — Now this is the real you I recognize.

Mia didn’t answer, she only looked at her reflection in the mirror with a smile. Her eyes looked brighter than before. They went to the cashier and bought the perfumes they had just chosen.

At that moment, the sound of live music was heard from the upper floor of the mall. Someone was playing the piano.

Anna looked upward excitedly. — Come on! Let’s go see!

— Can’t you stay calm in one place?

— Never.

Mia shook her head and walked after her. But this time, she wasn’t just following her.

She was truly enjoying it too.

As they reached the upper floor, the sound of the piano became even clearer. A small stage had been placed in the center of the mall, and people were gathered around it. In front of a white piano, a young man was calmly playing a melody. The warm lights falling from above filled the whole place with a soft glow. Mia slowly placed the several bags in her hands on the floor. Anna had seven bags in her hand.

Anna stayed silent for a moment and listened. — Main character moment.

Mia laughed. — You turn everything into a movie.

— Because life shouldn’t be boring.

They went near the balcony and looked down. The fountain on the lower floor was shining under the lights. Someone was taking pictures, children were running and laughing.

Mia placed her elbow on the glass and took a deep breath. — The energy of this place is different.

Anna smiled at her. — Finally, you’re feeling it too.

At that moment, a little girl holding colorful balloons ran past them. One of the balloons slipped from her hand and flew upward.

— Ooo no! — the little girl said sadly.

Mia automatically reached out her hand, but it was too late. The balloon was flying toward the ceiling.

Anna suddenly laughed. — If I were five years old, I would cry over that balloon.

— She’s going to cry now too.

— True.

The moment Anna said, “One, two, three,” the little girl burst into tears. Anna unintentionally laughed. Mia looked at the little girl with a sad expression and walked closer to them.

While the girl’s mother was comforting her, Mia took out a small chocolate from her bag and handed it to the girl. — Here.

The girl’s face immediately lit up. — Thank you!

As soon as she ran away, Anna looked at Mia. — You’re actually very soft.

— No.

— Yes.

— No.

Anna laughed. — You try to be a cold girl on the outside, but inside you have a Disney princess living there.

Mia lowered her head from laughter. — That was the strangest thing I’ve ever heard about myself.

— But it’s not wrong.

They continued walking again.

Mia was surprised when she saw the number of shopping bags in her hands. Both of their hands were full with bags of clothes. Fashion advertisements continued playing on huge screens along the hallway. As they were passing by a sports store, Anna suddenly stopped and looked at a mannequin.

— Mia.

— What?

— You need to wear that white hoodie.

— I’m warning you, if you start dressing me again—

Anna had already gone inside. — TOO LATE!

A few minutes later, Mia came out wearing the hoodie. The sleeves were slightly long, and the fabric was soft and comfortable.

Anna clapped her hands. — This is so cute!

Mia slowly smiled while looking at the mirror. — It’s actually not bad.

— “Not bad” is the highest compliment from you.

— Facts.

At that moment, Anna suddenly raised her phone and started recording a video. — Everyone say hi!

— Anna!

— Vlog atmosphere.

Mia covered her face while laughing. — Don’t post this anywhere.

— Promise… maybe.

The two girls laughed again. The music around them, people’s voices, the lights — everything made that moment feel very light and alive.

And for the first time, Mia didn’t notice how the time was passing.

After walking around for several hours, Anna suddenly stopped walking and grabbed Mia with shining eyes.

— We forgot one thing.

Mia looked at her suspiciously. — What now?

Anna pointed toward the beauty salon downstairs. Behind the blue glass windows, girls were getting manicures, and a pleasant scent of vanilla and cream was coming from inside.

— Nails.

Mia immediately laughed. — Anna… your energy really never ends, huh?

— Never. Come on.

As soon as they entered the salon, soft music and a pleasant warm atmosphere surrounded them. Small tables, tiny lights, shelves filled with colorful nail polishes… everything looked very clean and aesthetic.

The receptionist girl welcomed them with a smile. — For two?

Anna immediately nodded. — Yes, and we need the most comfortable place.

A few minutes later, they sat in chairs side by side. Mia sat comfortably and looked around.

— This place is nice.

Anna smiled with a victorious expression. — I told you I don’t choose bad places.

The manicurists started placing color samples in front of them.

Anna became excited while looking through dozens of colors. — No, this is too hard.

Mia laughed. — You’re talking like you’re making the biggest decision of your life.

— Because this is serious.

— Dramatic.

Anna suddenly pointed at a pink color. — This one is cute!

Mia immediately shook her head. — Too much.

— Are you choosing black again?

Mia shrugged. — Black is elegant.

— One day you’ll choose a bright color. I’m waiting for that day.

Mia looked at the colors and finally chose a delicate light blue color.

Anna stayed silent for a second. — WAIT.

— What?

— You… chose a color.

Mia laughed. — It’s not that bright.

— Still progress!

Anna became so happy that even the manicurist beside her laughed.

A few minutes later, only the soft sound of hair dryers, music, and their conversation could be heard inside the salon.

Anna leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. — I am officially in relax mode right now.

— Five minutes ago you were saying the same thing inside the store too.

— Character development.

Mia laughed. While the girl working on her hands was applying nail polish, she slowly looked at the mirror. Under the bright white lights, everything looked very soft. The girls around them were laughing and talking, someone was taking selfies, someone was drinking coffee.

Even this simple atmosphere was starting to grow on her.

Anna suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Mia’s nails. — Ooo this color looks really beautiful on you.

Mia slowly smiled while looking at her hands. — Really.

— See? I’m turning you into an aesthetic girl.

— I was aesthetic before too.

Anna thought for a few seconds. — Fair enough.

The two of them laughed again.

After some time, the manicure was finished. Anna immediately started admiring her hands under the light. — I’m obsessed.

Mia also looked at her nails. The light blue color looked very elegant under the lights.

— Okay… this is actually pretty.

Anna immediately touched Mia’s hand. — No… we’re going to the hair section too.

Mia laughed. — Anna.

— Just styling.

— I’m scared whenever you say “just.”

Anna leaned closer to her in the chair and whispered: — Mia, imagine… fresh hair, fresh nails, coffee… cinematic life.

Mia shook her head while laughing. — You think you’re a Pinterest board.

— And you’re inside it too.

A few minutes later, they moved to another part of the salon. This place was brighter and more lively. The sound of hair dryers could be heard from everywhere, and stylists were laughing and talking with clients. The whole salon was reflected in the large mirrors on the wall.

Anna immediately took her long hair in her hand and looked at the stylist. — I want soft waves.

— That wasn’t a surprise, — said Mia.

— What about you?

Mia looked at the mirror. Her short hair ended slightly above her shoulders. It was beautiful even normally, but today she wanted to change something.

The stylist smiled and asked: — Maybe we could do a little volume and texture?

Anna immediately supported the idea. — YES. That would suit you so much.

Mia laughed. — Have you two already made the decision for me?

— Yes, — Anna said casually.

As Mia sat down in the chair, the stylist carefully started brushing her short hair. Under the bright white lights, her black hair softly shined.

Anna was watching from the side. — Mia, honestly, short hair looks very powerful on you.

Mia looked at her reflection in the mirror. — Before, everyone liked long hair.

— Maybe. But this is your style.

When the warm air of the hair dryer touched her face, Mia closed her eyes. The stylist gave her hair light volume and made the front slightly messier. The result looked very natural, but modern.

A few minutes later, the stylist brought the mirror a little closer. — Finished.

Mia slowly raised her head.

Anna reacted first. — OOOOOKAY.

Mia laughed. — What?

— You literally look like a model right now.

Mia looked at the mirror. Her short black hair made her face stand out even more, and her eyes looked brighter than before. The styling was very simple, but that naturalness was exactly what she liked.

She slowly touched the end of her hair. — Wait… I actually like this.

Anna dramatically said: — I’m going to become emotional today.

Then Anna also finished her styling. Her long hair had been styled into soft waves.

Mia looked at her and laughed. — Now you look like a rich auntie from a romantic TV series.

Anna stayed silent for a few seconds, then bent over from laughter. — Is that a compliment?

— Maybe.

The girls shouted loudly at each other. They had become very beautiful.

The two of them looked at the mirror side by side. New manicures, styled hair, beautiful faces…

Their moods had become even lighter.

Anna raised her phone. — Okay. Now we definitely need a photo.

— I knew it.

Outside, the evening wind had become slightly cooler. The number of people leaving the shopping mall was slowly decreasing. Anna held the bags in one hand and used the other hand to move her hair behind her ear.

— If I don’t sit down now, I’ll fall over, — she said laughing.

Mia slowly let out a breath. — I already feel like I’ve fallen over.

The bags in their hands had really increased. The strings of the paper bags had reddened their fingers, but neither of them was paying much attention to it.

On the other side of the road, a small coffee shop could be seen. It wasn’t big, but the yellowish light coming from its windows looked very warm. Small lights were hanging beside the windows, and inside, a few people were sitting quietly.

Anna immediately looked in that direction. — We’re going into that place.

Mia looked too. — It looks nice.

As soon as they entered inside, the smell of coffee and freshly baked cookies hit their noses. Different sweets were arranged on the shelf in the corner. An old song was playing quietly, while the sound of the coffee machine could occasionally be heard.

A small table near the window was empty. Anna carefully placed the bags on the floor and sat down in the chair, taking a deep breath.

— Finally…

Mia also sat down across from her. The tiredness was now visible on her face. Because she had been walking all day, her shoulders had relaxed slightly, and her short black hair looked even softer after the styling. She moved a few strands that had fallen onto her face aside with her hand.

Anna stared at her and laughed. — Right now you look like princesses from fairy tales.

Mia closed her eyes and rested her head on the table. — Right now I only want to sleep.

— But in a very beautiful way.

Mia laughed. — Looks like you’re not going to leave me alone today.

When the waitress came to them, Anna immediately picked up the menu.

— I’ll take a hot latte… and this cookie too.

Mia was still a little distracted. — I don’t care… as long as it’s something warm.

Anna laughed. — Then you’re really tired.

A few minutes later, two large mugs were placed on the table. Soft steam was rising from the hot coffee.

Mia held the mug with both hands. The warmth immediately spread through her fingers. She slowly smiled while looking at the wet street outside the window.

There was a very calm atmosphere inside the coffee shop. Someone was reading a book, someone was speaking quietly. The noise of the city outside did not reach this place.

Anna broke off a piece of the cookie and pushed it toward Mia. — Take it.

— I’ll take it myself.

— I know. I’m just being kind.

Mia smiled and took the cookie. — How did I even agree to walk around with you today…

Anna leaned back in the chair and smiled with satisfaction. — Because deep inside, you’re enjoying this too.

Mia didn’t answer. She only took a sip from her mug and closed her eyes.

— Yeah… maybe a little.

Mia placed her mug on the table and finally picked up her phone. As soon as the screen lit up, her face suddenly changed.

— Oh no…

Anna immediately raised her head. — What happened?

Mia stared at her screen. — My mom called me ten times.

— Ten times?!

— Anna, quiet…

She quickly straightened up a little and called Claire’s number back. Before the phone could even ring twice, it was answered.

— Mia?!

Claire’s worried voice could be felt even through the phone.

Mia immediately spoke in a softer tone. — Mom, calm down, everything is okay.

— Where are you? Why didn’t you answer my calls?

Mia unintentionally glanced at Anna. Anna was sitting quietly, holding her mug as if saying, “Handle it yourself.”

— We left the university, then I stayed at the library. My phone was inside my bag, I didn’t notice it.

— Mia, I was this close to dying from worry.

Mia softened her voice even more. — I know… I’m sorry. We’re at a coffee shop right now.

Claire stayed silent for a few seconds. — Who is “we”?

— With Anna.

At that moment Anna waved her hand and whispered: — Say hi.

Mia gave her an irritated look and returned to the phone again. — Then we’re going to the cinema. After that, I’ll come home.

— Don’t stay out too late.

— No, Mom. Everything is fine. Anna is with me.

— That’s exactly why I’m worried, — Claire said loudly.

Mia: — Mom…

Claire said in a worried tone: — At least you could have sent a message.

Mia bit her lip. — Yeah… that’s my fault. Next time this definitely won’t happen again.

Anna sat across from her, slowly drinking her coffee while watching her. Mia was speaking much more calmly now.

— Really, don’t worry. Right now we’re just sitting and drinking coffee.

Claire took a deep breath. — Okay. Just be careful.

— Okay.

— And don’t come back late.

Mia smiled lightly. — I’ll try.

— Mia.

— Hm?

— Keep your phone with you.

— Okay.

As soon as the call ended, Mia placed her phone on the table and let out a deep breath.

Anna immediately smiled. — “I’ll try.”

Mia looked at her and laughed. — Be quiet.

— Your mom still sees you like a sixteen-year-old little girl.

Mia slowly nodded while looking at her mug. — I know.

For a few seconds, both of them stayed silent. The soft music in the coffee shop and the sound of the coffee machine could be heard again.

Then Anna suddenly smiled. — Still, you sounded very convincing.

Mia immediately looked at her. — I almost told the truth.

Anna raised her eyebrow. — “We studied at the library.”

Mia laughed. — Technically, I was at the university.

Anna lowered her head from laughter. — Sometimes you’re a very dangerous person.

Mia sat for a few seconds looking at her phone. Then she took a deep breath while looking at the bags piled up next to her.

— I can’t go home with all this.

Anna laughed. — Yeah, we might have gone a bit overboard.

— “A bit.”

Mia found Alisa’s number in her contacts and called. After a few seconds, a gentle voice was heard.

— I’m listening, Miss Mia?

— Alisa, are you at home?

— Yes.

— Is my mom at home?

— No, ma’am, she hasn’t returned from work yet, Alisa said.

Mia looked around and lowered her voice slightly. — A driver will bring several packages to you now. Please place them carefully in my room.

— Of course.

Mia immediately added: — Especially the white packages. There are glass items inside.

Anna, beside her, whispered while laughing: — And a hundred cosmetics.

Mia gave her a wink and returned to the phone. — And please… don’t let my mom see them.

Alisa seemed to hide her laugh. — Understood.

— Thank you.

— You’re welcome, little lady.

As soon as the call ended, Mia immediately dialed another number. The driver answered quickly.

— I’m listening, little lady.

— Are you near the mall right now?

— I’ll be there in about ten minutes.

— Good, I’ll send you the address. Can you come there?

— Of course, little lady.

— Good. I’ll give you the things, take them home and give them to Alisa.

— Will do.

Mia stayed silent for a moment, then carefully continued: — If my mom is at home… leave the packages in the car. I’ll take them in myself when I come home.

— Understood, miss.

— Do everything exactly as I said.

— Alright.

As soon as the call ended, Mia placed her phone on the table. Anna was staring at her.

— Wow, I thought you were simple, but you’re even more clever than me, Anna said with a small smile.

Mia laughed and picked up her mug. — If you knew my mom…

— How do you even deal with all this? Anna said, sighing.

— What?

— Control, interrogations, restrictions? Have you ever thought about running away from all this one day?

— Where would I even run, leaving my parents? They only do this for my own good, Mia said in a confident and slightly sighing tone.

— Maybe that’s true.

Anna put her head on the table, looking tired.