A past sound coming back to you now - Ekko x Reader

"Thank you for coming with me."

"No problem hun. Ya know I love going shopping. I only get to go the Promenade Level once a year for my bithday."

"I'm very surprised about us coming up here just to buy clothes for an appointment."

"Weird as fuck. How come yer dad and ya are having a fancy meeting."

"No clue, he didn't tell me."

"Mysterious man is yer dad huh? Let's make the most of this." Mika suggested with a smirk. She dragged me into the first shop while my father was laughing at her energetic attitude.

"I've told you I've no specific aesthetic that I like." I repeated again, taking a look at the shop we've just entered in.

"We'll discover. Ya know what kind of clother ya like and which not?" I nodded. 

"You know I usually wear whatever I find in my house." It's not like my appearance has been my main worry. She rolled her eyes.

"Ugh Alex ya sound like a pick-me girl." A what? "I know deep inside ya, ya wanna look pretty. Prettier than with your current clothes." Well, they're kind of old. I've never given a look at my closet. "My mom says during teenagehood, sooner or later, it happens. Maybe ya'll never be a conceited person and that's just fine, but I really think that's not yer case. Personal opinion from yer bestie."

"Probably you're right. When I was a child I just wanted whatever was confortable to jump, run or climb." We met because I was on top of her while she was playing hide and seek with her friends. I smiled at that memory. "Then things started to get odd at home and almost no one cares about you, so why bother."

"It's not about what others think 'bout ya, it's more the way clothes make ya feel. Not only how much confortable they are for ya to move freely but also how ya feel when ya look at yerself in the mirror. I dunno, I like how I feel when I wear something I like and I know it suits me." She shrugs. "Also, clothes are a subtle way to express how ya are. Ya can know a lot 'bout a person by the clothes they're wearing."

I'm surprised something as superficial as one's appearance can be so deep in meaning. It's something I would have never consider a couple of years ago. I feel like I've lost important life experiences.

"There you were girls. Don't scare like that and don't go wherever I cannot see you."

"I'm sorry, I got excited. We're too used to be by ourlselves that we forget we were with an adult." I knew what she was doing, she had a dig at my dad.  It's curious how she trust even less than I do the ability of him to protect me. Not like I could say she's wrong, but he's really trying.

"Just don't do it again. Unless you warn me and tell me where are you going." Mika looked at me with a face that said 'parent thing about locating us more or less'.

"Sure dad."

"C'mon girl. I've got some ideas of what could ya like. Yer not into skirts or dresses right?" I hummed in response.

I've never been so insecured before. I've never been self-conscious about my body itself but yet I can't help but seeing in the mirror the bruises that do not exist anymore on my skin. I hate to remember it.

"I got ya something, try it on" I heard outside the changing room. Mika handed me a cute striped green shirt which leaves my shoulders bare. "Yer not into skirts or dresses right?" I hummed in response. 

"OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE IT. That emra off the shoulder shirt matches ya perfectly."

"I like it."

"See? Ya look amazing on that and ya know it. Here, take these jeans."

"Those troursers look good but also striped?"

"Nono, those aren't for that shirt but the ones with the pleated bow tie. Go and change, I'll tell yer dad to come and see what he thinks. He's the one paying after all." I closed the courtains. "By the way how come he suddenly doesn't worry 'bout money? I mean, yer family has never been poor at all, but out of the blue he spends money on fancy clothes?" That's true. Even though we are one of the wealthiest families in Zaun we've been acting like I had none. It is true that we've had all our necesities covered we didn't really spend the rest of the money we earnt to enjoy it since Mother fell sick. It was like nothing was worth it anymore. The way my father had managed our money was bloody weird.

"No clue. It feels like sometimes my dad's not my dad. At least his behaviour has nothing to do with how it used to be. Death changes your life forever." We've never act like we were rich people even though we are. My father was depressed as hell, somehow he could function more or less to stay alive. And I, well, I've never felt any need for using more money than necessary. All my friends were happy without much of it. That makes no sense, if I have money shouldn't I help those who don't have any? I've never thought about it. "There, how do I look?"

"Gorgeous. You look awsome Alex! I'll call yer dad"

"Thanks." I said blushing. I turned to the mirror. I've never been so happy about clothing, it's like the person in the reflection is another one but me with my inner demons. And surprisingly I like it quite a lot. Mika's got a point.

"Wow Alexya... you look so pretty." My dad stated, with such an expression I haven't seen on him for a while. Then he cleared his throat and said " But, em, I think it would be a better idea to choose another outfit for the appointment. One more... appropriate for your age." 

"Oh, ok..." 

"I'll look it for you." he offered and then he left. 

He went to another place and left an unconfortable silence. 

After a moment I got into the fitting room again.

I felt somehow devastated, but why? For some stupid clothes and for his words.

"What the fuck was that?" I heard outside. "I saw genuine appreciation to that outfit, obviously he thought ya were stunnin' 'cuz you are. And then he acts so conservative??"

"Yeah..."

"No worries Alex. If he doesn't like the way ya express yerself then he doesn't deserve you truly. I'm not saying he doesn't love ya, but, I mean, his reaction hurted ya and/"

"It was a bad idea to come here anyways."

"Hey, no it wasn't hun. Ya were happy before-"

"Shut up for a moment, please." Fuck I want to cry. Not here in a bloody changing room nor near from some rich Zaunites who don't give a damn about how hard it is to live in the levels below them. "I'll just try on whatever my dad brings me and then we'll leave... thanks for coming."

"Alex..."

"Alexya, try this." It as a white shirt and a dark brown vest with a long plaid print beige skirt. "I don't know if you like that style."

"It's fine."

"Really?"

"Sure. A larger size and it'll be ok."

"Good. I'll change it and I'll pay. Meanwhile you girls can go to the café which is right in front of this shop."

I've just realised this part was kinda (way) longer then the others, hope you enjoyed and see you in the next one <3