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100% Tea? / Chapter 6: Shopping

Chapter 6: Shopping

Saying I woke up restless was an understatement. The night was long, tossing and turning and just trying to stay asleep. I woke up groggy, sitting up and holding my now dehydrated head as I tried to erase my thoughts from last night. I went to my bathroom and began to freshen up, avoiding eye contact with the strange figure in the mirror.

It wasn't my reflection, I've known that for years. He is the very reason I hate mirrors. Every morning he shows up, everytime I'm feeling down he is there as a reminder. I shake it off now, just looking if necessary, I know he isn't me. I'm happy, I'm fine, I'm strong. There would be no reason for there to be those dried up tears on my face. He is not me. He isn't. He isn't.

If work had gone any slower, I would be convinced it had stopped entirely. The entire morning I had the image of this shift ending and then I would take off running to the shopping centre. I finally had skimmed over a small catalogue that had something I thought was just perfect for William. It was a simple short wide tea cup,very nicely designed, with nothing on its fair paint then the gold cursive word 'tea?'. To have a tea cup beg to be used was amusing enough, but it was how we had met, over tea. I found it cute, simple, and not too extravagant that I'd risk going into debt over the Christmas holidays.

I also found a small store containing TV show paraphernalia from shows my sister rather enjoyed. Maybe I can stop by after I'm done getting Will's gift to do some window shopping. Hopefully I find her something worth sending, if not I'm sure she'll be okay with an old fashioned Christmas card. No, not even I could convince myself of such a lie. I guess I'll try to find something for her, which honestly will be just as difficult as it was to find something for William. For William at least I have an excuse, I'm just getting to know him. Of course it would be a challenge to find him something meaningful. But, for my sister, I do not have the same luxury to rationalize my struggle. I should know exactly what she wants, but she in herself is a complicated specimen with very interesting likes and dislikes. Then again, who am I to judge that sister of mine? Anyway, time to get some of this shopping done and over with, the tsunami of people in these halls are drowning me.

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There is a weird atmosphere of reverence when you enter a chinaware shop. Despite the incredibly fragile nature of their product, they don't hesitate to pack the store to the roof with various plates, cups, sauciѐres, soup bowls, and many more types of serviceware. It makes you tread lightly, even refraining from speech as to focus on where you are going. I look down one of the adjacent ailes, seeing a long row of tea cups and accompanying saucers. Each one is so similar to the last one, but the minor finishings gives it a believable facade of ingenuity.

Some are made of white porcelain, and shine brightly with their fair coloured accents. Others are made of varying shades, such as the blue and white porcelain which was popular in England. Then there's stoneware, bone china, and the other varying materials that I wasn't aware of till I read the bottoms of these quaint little cups. No, I am not an expert on chinaware. In fact, I hardly care for them. I buy whatever is cheapest, most useful, and aesthetically pleasing to me, whether it be made of porcelain or stone is irrelevant in comparison. The only reason I was caring to look at the bottoms of these cups was for Willam's sake.

The one thought that stayed with me was that Will was from a well off family. Even though I know the thought will always outweigh the price of a present, it still felt obligatory to at least get him a relatively 'nice' gift. So, if I intend on getting him something as simple as a teacup, I might as well make it a high quality one that's proportionate to his reputation.

The specific style I had already picked out is thankfully still available, and the style itself is transferable among varying materials. To be safe, I got it on a standard white porcelain cup, with a gold trim and calligraphy, along with an accenting saucer in similar detail. Even while cashing out the ambience of a chinaware shop was evident, each beep sounding like it would shatter all the shelves in the store. The clerk was very helpful and was nice enough to package my present in both a secure and festive manner, wrapping it in parchment paper and securing it in a small present box.

The small box in my hand felt like it was mocking me once I looked at the receipt. How could such a small piece of refined ceramic cost so much? I left the store with a sigh of relief, happy that the anxiety of Christmas shopping was nearly over. I got in my car and was prepared to leave, but just sat there staring at the present that I set down on the passenger seat. I don't know why I felt so hesitant to leave, nor why I felt like I was missing something. I did lots of looking around, and this is what I thought would be the best option for a gift.

So why am I now feeling so unsure? So self conscious? Maybe I should look for a new gift. Though, I already kinda looked around. Maybe I shouldn't be getting him one? It would be beyond embarrassing to show up with a present only to be turned away, emphasizing the differences in how we interpret our relationship. I set the chair back and covered my face, all these questions are giving me a migraine. I heard a loud noise and jumped nearly hitting the roof, only to find the culprit to be my own phone. I check it and see a message from Will saying,'Hey Mason! Finally got out of class! I'll text you when I get home, hope your day has been splendid!'. I smiled out of instinct, and immediately sat up. I was now confident in my decision, and regardless of if it's reciprocating, I will establish my feelings without hesitation!

I put the car in drive and cruised down the street, using my newly found positivity to try and think clearly. I now have all the presents I need for the Christmas season, all of them except the one for my sister. I guess my next stop will be that TV paraphernalia store, though I was so excited to finally be done. I begrudgingly entered the store's location on my phone, heaving a heavy sigh. How easily I can be swayed from relief to suffocating anxiety is almost comical. Well, to those viewing from an outside point of view I guess.

It's not that I don't want to get my sister something, I love her more than anyone I've ever known, it's just the action of shopping for someone else that's tedious. Unless you're explicitly asked, you can't be sure if what you are about to buy for someone is actually something they want. On top of that, you may never know their true feelings about it even years after exchanging gifts, as many people feel ashamed to speak their true thoughts in regards to someone else's selfless act. It may seem somewhat joyous to buy things for others, but I feel like that is just to help cope with the anxiety that comes with it.

I am nearly at the store now, interestingly enough it is just around the block from my house. Yet, I had to input it in my phone to find it. I really haven't explored much in the months I've been here, which is really upsetting. I came to England to get away in principle, but another big incentive was being able to experience the culture of England hands on. It's one thing to see it in movies and shows, a whole other thing to walk down the very roads and visit places that are rich with history. Even now as I drive towards the store I take quick glances around, admiring the uniformed architecture of the townhouses, the subtle designs on the black steel street lights, and the agricultural decorations on every street. Some of the apartments even have little window boxes with tiny plants, now changing colours with the dropping temperatures.

It's so easy to get entranced in the beauty of a place you're not familiar with. However, leisurely enjoying the view is probably not something you should do while driving! Gotta focus, almost at the store. I can enjoy a nice walk later tonight after I finally rest from this horrid shopping.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
OR_143 OR_143

Hello everyone! I’d like to thank you all for giving my book over 1k views. It’s unbelievable to me that something I wrote down is being seen by over 1300 people! I will try my best to meet my deadlines, and keep up with this story.

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Thank you so much!

O.R

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