"Oh, for crying out loud..." Eva sighed, glancing back at them. "Does she do that a lot? Maybe she doesn't like him after all..."
Kasai laughed a heartfelt laugh. "Oh, she likes him. Oddly enough, she likes him a lot, even if she's not showing it. She users sarcasm to hide her nervousness. When irritated by someone she likes a lot, sarcasm seeps into her voice. It's a defense mechanism," Kasai said then sighed. Ken really messed Salia up, emotionally and physically.
Eva frowned slightly. "Well that's a little... disheartening. Jasper's never going to figure out what she's thinking if it keeps going on like that..." She sighed, thinking. "I guess we get to play matchmaker, though, so yay!"
Kasai smiled. "He just has to get her to open up. That's all," Kasai said as she glanced back at Salia and Jasper. "Come on you two. Pick up the pace." Salia scowled in response to Kasai's statement.
"Hmm..." Eva chewed on her lip as she thought. "Well, okay, but how is he supposed to do that..?" She glanced behind at them. "no, don't tell them to hurry! Then we won't be able to talk about them!"
Kasai laughed. "You didn't see Salia's scowl? Believe me, she isn't goingto move faster anytime soon. She's shielded. He just has to have patience and he should tell her a little about himself. When I first me Salia, she was welded shut. She wouldn't talke about herself at all," Kasai said with a frown on her face. Their first meeting she remembers ... well.
"Oh?" Eva raised a curious brow. "And how did you two meet, anyway?"
Jasper's patience was already beginning to wear thin. What on earth was he supposed to do? "How is it that the day we meet, you talk like a normal person, but today you act like I'm some N.azi?"
"Her ex was my step-brother, but at first we didn't know it. She saved my life .. literally and I saved hers. See, my father and brother were both abusive. She came over with my Ken on a bad night. We both got beaten, just hers wasn't as bad as mine .. as far as I saw. Needless to say she saved me, I took her to the hospital. We help each other through everything." Kasai looked back at Salia, a lone tear ran down her face. Salia only the other hand bawled up her fist and hugged. "Couple days ago there was no pressure to make something happen." Salia looked up and saw that Kasai looked back at her. Something was wrong. "Kasai?" Salia whispered but only so she herself and Jasper would hear.
For once, Eva was completely silent, unable to form words. At last she spoke, her voice very quiet. "I would say I'm sorry, but... If it weren't for all that, you wouldn't have gotten such a beautiful, wonderful friend."
Jasper glanced over at Salia when she whispered Kasai's name, confused. "What's wrong?" he murmured, his brow furrowed in concern. "Is she okay?"
"I don't know. Something is evidently wrong. I've seen that look on her face once before. Excuse me," Salia said and jogged up to Kasai. "Kai, what's wrong?" Kasai shook her head. "Nothing Lia. I was just telling Eva of how we met." Salia's face softened before it hardened instantly.
So Salia must've been the protective type... Eva glanced back at Jasper, gesturing for him to catch up before he got left behind. Sighing, he obeyed, still looking worried; would could have gotten Kasai so upset all of a sudden? "You alright?" he asked softly.
Kasai nodded, "I'm fine," she said but Salia wasn't fooled. Salia grabbed Kasai's hand and used her other to wipe the tears on Kasai's face away. "It's over Kai. We're burying it and only bringing it up in dire situations. They're gone, we're here, you're here," said Salia. Kasai nodded and squeezed Salia's hand. Salia smiled at Kasai and Kasai smiled back.
"Aw, honey..." Eva gently rubbed Kasai's shoulder, sighing with a faint smile. "Goodness, this is the longest and strangest trip to the mall I've ever had..."
"It happens," Salia said, coldness in her voice. Now is not the time to show weakness. "The mall is right there," said Kasai as she used her free hand to wipe her face. "Come on Lia, we need to get you ready for your dance. Hope you don't mind carrying bags Jasper?" Kasai threw behind her in a mock happy tone.
Jasper still had a look of worry on his face, though he was somewhat relieved that Kasai was smiling now. Even if it seemed a little fake. He doesn't even bother with sarcasm this time. "Yeah. That's fine."
[Can we skip to the part where they're inside the mall and trying on outfits?]
Out to Salia. Salia sighed and stepped out in a crimson red knee high dress. "So?" She said as she stood in front of them. Kasai just made a face. It hugged her but it was a little baggy."Come on Salia. Show us the dress!" Kasai called
Jasper sighed, standing just outside the dressing area. This was so boring and girly... And this was only the first store. Out of the entire mall.
"Kasai!" Eva called, bringing over a deep blue dress that was cut a little high. "Try this one!"
Kasai grabbed the dress and went into one of the dressing rooms. While she went in Salia looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't know if she liked the crimson red dress. She looked around and found a floor length black one with an open back and a v-neck dip. She took the dress and was about to go change when Kasai stepped out. "Nice Kai, green suits you," Salia said. "Thanks Lia, that black one looks pretty. Try it on and see how Jasper likes it," Kasai teased.