Imperfect Desires

 Chen Xiu was curling her ginger red hair which she often used as a disguise to blend in with people when her phone's ringtone made her sigh in annoyance. She didn't even have to see the caller id to know who was calling.

As she picked up the call, a stern voice from the other end was heard, "Chen Xiu, where are you? I've been looking for you." A tinge of hope and happiness flashed in her eyes but it was diminished the very next moment as she heard her mother continuing, "Are you being rebellious at this age? It's your movie's success party tomorrow and you're missing. What am I supposed to do? Do you want me to lose face as your manager?"

Xiu turned the call on speaker and continued to languidly curl her hairs. "If only you had said you're worried about me as my mother. But that's my wishful thinking as always. I mean you have disappointed me so many times and yet, I'm an idiot who gets her hopes up."

"Xiu..." Her mother tried to say something but Xiu didn't give her a chance.

"Mother, mother, my dearest mother..." Xiu's voice was laced with sarcasm which she didn't bother hiding at all. "Don't worry, even if I'm being rebellious, I won't tarnish your image. The success party is tomorrow. I'm sure, I have the right to have a day for myself."

A tired sigh was heard from the other end before Xiu heard the voice again, "At least, inform me about your whereabouts. Where are you?"

"Don't ask that, I'll mistake your words for concern and get my hopes up again," said Xiu with a snicker and picked up the wine glass to take a sip. "I'm alive for now. Alive and kicking!" With that, she hung up the call and switched off her phone. She took another fifteen minutes to create fake freckles on her face and making herself look like a foreigner. 

Wearing a cute pair of spectacles, she walked out of the hotel room not before pouring her wine down her throat and her work phone on the bed. Wandering around the streets aimlessly, she was lost in thoughts. As for what was running through her mind, she had literally no clue about that. There were said to be a million things and yet nothing running through her mind. 

"Theatre Park..." she read the huge sign lit up above the building and stood rooted staring at it for a long time. It was one of the well-reputed cinemas and the movie poster that had her caught her eyes was her own latest movie named, 'In His Arms.'

Wasting her time for God knows how long, she entered the cinema in the middle of the night and bought the ticket for the last show of the day. As for why she bought the ticket to her own movie, she had a habit of watching herself alone on the silver screen. After all, that was the only place she looked happy.

Sitting somewhere in the middle of the room, she looked around to find quite a few people even at this time of the night and that too during the middle of the week. Leaning her head against the comfy seat, her attention was mostly on the movie but soon, someone's sobbing broke her gaze away from the screen.

In the dimly lit cinema hall, Xiu turned her face sideways to find a girl crying like a baby. "Why are you killing Min? I mean, my Sister Xiu doesn't deserve it? Bring her back! Bring her back, director! I'm so gonna find this writer to murder him! How can you even think about killing such a beautiful person?" When she heard this shouting from her, Xiu didn't know why she ended up laughing to herself.

Even though Xiu couldn't see her face, she found her adorable. But the wailing sound got louder, she finally spoke up, "Student! Stop crying already... It was just a movie and actors playing fictional characters. Sigh. Unfortunately, Chen Xiu is still very much alive."

The teenage girl's head whipped around with a woosh as she glared at Xiu and said, "Elder sister, don't curse my Sister Xiu. I pray to my mother every single day to take care of Sister Xiu."

When the lights in the hall lit up again, Xiu finally looked at her face. The teenager had dyed her hair vibrant blue. Her eyes had a dark emo look with blue and black dominating the shades. Her mascara had flowed down her face making her white, almost pale face look a little unsightly. A three-star tattoo design was etched right under her left eye. She was not only wearing a nose ring but also a couple of lip rings as well. 

Black studs in her ears, black choker around her neck and colorful bands around her wrists. She looked like a typical rebellious teenager. When Xiu's eyes lingered on her face for a long time, she touched her face saying, "Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?"

Xiu stood up from her chair with a sigh and walked towards her. She stopped beside her seat and touched her head saying, "Kid, I wasn't cursing your Sister Xiu. Even if I do, it won't work on her. Anyways, I just wanted you to stop crying over a fictional character's death. If you got attached so easily to people, they'll trample on you." Before walking away from her, she stopped to add, "Besides, kiddo, get out in the sun once in a while before you turn into a vampire for real."

"Huh?" The teenager frowned slightly before her eyes widened in realization. She got up and ran out of the hall to look for Xiu. However, the latter had already vanished. Looking at the couples who were being lovey-dovey in the middle of the road, she scrunched up her nose before saying, "She definitely teased my pale complexion. I was being nice calling her elder sister and she... Hmph! Let me find you once!" 

She wasn't planning on giving up her search. She was stubborn as well, so how could she take anyone's comment lying down? She had to have her ending and conclusive words!