Hilde sighed sadly, eyeing the beautiful silver bracelet on display, framed by a shawl of navy blue velvet. Her gaze traveled between her almost-empty wallet and the jewelry wistfully. An impatient Sales-Lady arched her eyebrow imperiously from the over the counter. One look at the girl and she’d known all she needed to know. And now, she just wanted to get rid of her, the sooner the better. She had commission to make, after all.

Finally, with a groan of self-deprivation, Hilde closed the old leather and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t—“

The woman interrupted, already moving away. “Have a nice day.”

Indignant, the black-haired teen rested her elbows on the glass and let her sharp eyes find the intricate piece again. It was extraordinary. Clunky, silver, inlaid by smoky topaz and sapphire within the confines of a smooth, Celtic design. The bracelet really was incredible, but with her meager funds, she could barely afford the rent, much less expensive jewelry. 230$ of self-indulgence. Another wistful sigh heaved her chest.

“Oh, why so sad?”

Hilde jumped. Beside her, wearing an inquisitive grin was the most beautiful blonde she’d ever seen. “Agh!”

“Oh!” the girl was immediately repentant. “I scared you, didn’t I? I’m sorry!”

“A heh…well…” the Swede nervously rubbed her elbow, which throbbed from it’s impact with the counter. “No prob. You…uh…wanted something?”

“So?”

“Erm…what?”

“Why the long face?” one elegant finger playfully tapped her nose. “You’re too cute to look so down.”

Hilde blushed. “I was just—“

“My, my, my.” Interrupting smoothly, the blonde pointed to the bracelet Hilde’d previously been admiring. “That’s absolutely fabulous.”

“Yeah…” sighing, the black-haired girl tried not to sound too yearning.

Surreptitiously, her companion watched her expression, and came to a quick decision. “Too fabulous to sit unworn in a display case like that forever!” she exclaimed. “Ma’am!” imperiously, she gestured to the Sales-Lady that’d snubbed Hilde earlier. Which, unbeknownst to both, she’d witnessed.

The lady sneered, but rushed over anyway. “Yes?”

“This bracelet.”

“To buy? That’s 230$, Miss. Are you sure?”

Without a word, the blonde pulled a slim, leather wallet from her designer purse, withdrew a credit card and handed it over. Only a smirk arched her full lips.

Hilde didn’t get a chance to see the name printed on the card, but from the Sales-Lady’s look, she had an inkling. Her lovely partner was obviously someone important. And while that made her heart beat nervously, she couldn’t stop the tinge of spiteful satisfaction. Take that!

The blonde understood perfectly, and grinned as the pale woman disappeared to ring up the purchase.

“So, um, what’s your name?”

“…Call me ‘Lena. Yours?”

“Hilde Schbeiker.” She chuckled at Lena’s flirtatious gasp. “Nice to meetchya.”

“My pleasure.” Lena lifted the shorthaired girl’s hand daringly from the counter, and kissed it with an air of exaggerated chivalry. “Yes. A pleasure.” She murmured. Hilde gulped around her quickening heartbeat.

Murphy’s law is a horrible thing, sometimes. The annoying Sales-lady returned, and –after giving Lena her card back- began to wrap the bracelet in a sheaf of tissue paper.

“Oh, no! Please don’t do that.” Quickly. The blonde snatched the jewelry and turned back to Hilde’s surprised face, fully intent on ignoring the indignant woman until she left.

She did.

When she was finally gone, Lena winked rakishly.

Hilde laughed. “I’m glad. What’re you going to do with it?” her voice, despite all efforts to avoid it, came out longing.

“Well, you see, Hilde.” Lena started “I…have this problem.”

“Really?” the Swede raised her eyebrows. “Oh, hey, it’s the 90’s! Everyone over-spends! Don’t worry about it.”

“No, it’s not that, I mean, I do, but that’s not the main issue.” Chuckling, the blonde lifted Hilde’s wrist up to eye-level and scrutinized it playfully. “I can’t stop buying things for beautiful women, you see. It’s spontaneous, really. More like an addiction. Especially when their skin…just…” she gently caressed the thin flesh over Hilde’s fragile artery, “begs for it. Like yours.”

With a gasp, Hilde’s face heated up. Flushing from the collar of her tank top to the roots of her hair.

“So.” She continued. “Hilde.” The name rolled off her tongue slowly, as if she were tasting the flavor of it. “I bought this one for the most beautiful I’ve ever met. You.” The clasp clicked fatalistically. Heavy weight dragged Hilde’s hand down to her side.

She was too enraptured by Lena’s sea-colored eyes to notice. Or care.

An indeterminable amount of time later, a random shopper jostled her arm, and the mutual stare was broken.

“Well.”

“So.”

They laughed at their nervousness. Amazed, Hilde lifted her arm and regarded the bracelet shining there. “Wow.” She whispered. “Talk about luck.”

Lena grinned. “How about I take you to lunch, eh? There’s a little café just down the street, I believe. I’ve head they serve excellent cappuccinos.”

“I’d love that...”

“Wonderful—“

“...But I’m paying.” Firmly, Hilde interrupted. The blonde girl stopped and smiled affectionately.

“How did I know?” she asked under her breath.

Her black-haired companion shot her a timid, but coy look. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

“Let’s not question Lady Luck.” Offering her arm, Lena winked dashingly.

Hilde took it with a laugh.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~