There is an old saying.

Love is like a magnet.

It has the power to attract, to pull two people together.

When they touch, it is near impossible to separate their souls.

Even from afar, one cannot escape the gravity of their soul mate.

True love at first sight, is that spark that lures one another into a riveting fantasy.

And because it is like a magnet.

What happens when you flip the polarity around?

One may find the other rather repulsive.

Wouldn’t you agree?

December 18 – 4:45 PM

Miracle Shopping Plaza

Tessa Roads was going what she loved most: shopping. She was even in her favourite haven.

Yet, why? Why can’t she bring herself to enjoy herself of all days?

“I hate my job. Hate it, hate it! But why does it pay so well damn it!”

Not wanting to think of the damn clowns back in her office, she tried to block out the painful images and memory by focusing on the shopping mall music. Normally her fuming would dissipate after 10 minutes, like steam. Maybe her day was so terrible it just made focusing on new cosmetic products just as difficult.

“I honestly need to think of my future. Even if I have a lofty position, what I endure on a daily basis – simply cannot do!...No, don’t let the gloom eat you alive. Tessa Roads is a strong an independent woman! I earned my spot by sheer merit, they can’t make me walk away from that! Just...Crap, a-are those wrinkles!?”

Tessa Roads wasn’t an old shrewd who raised cats as children, neither was she that same starry-eyed youth who had yet to see the nightmares of the adult working world. Seeing the folds appearing on her skin, she started to panic. She did ran out of her regular supplies, hence why she made a trip to the local cosmetic boutique to stock up.

Maybe she wasn’t paying attention, she walked into a brand new store. It was when she realized none of the workers were familiar, did she chicken out and began to back pedal.

“Oh hello miss!” A fresh faced store attendant cut off her escape. “First time?”

Crap. Can’t walk out without a word now, that be just rude. Tessa Road quickly fixed her frustration right off her face and put on as sweet professional smile, “E-er no. Just looking to restock on something and—”

“Ah wonderful! We have a wide selection of creams, powders, lipstick, as well as other brands and supplies available for all ages.”

Did the attendant have to emphasize on ALL ages!? Tessa Road secretly gritted her teeth as she thought to herself. She then went—actually, the peppy store attendant cut her off again.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You look rather pale, miss,” the young girl pointed out with gusto, “Why don’t you try our brand new product, freshly imported from Japan! It’s called Kaoganai!”

“S-sounds exotic, and expensive.” Tessa Road wasn’t exactly in the red, but she had been swinging her credit card like a sword to slay the frustrations from work. Food, clothing—oh yes and shoes.

“Right over here, miss!” The store attendant assured as she brought Tessa towards their elaborate displays of the brand new product, “Made with fresh sakura pedals as a key ingredient. Designed with an anti-aging product, a new rejuvenating formula, suitable for sensitive skin, and removes wrinkles!”

“...I don’t know—”

“And it’s on sale!”

“L-let me see a box, just one. Hahaha.”

Tessa Road felt like a sucker for the standard hard sale copy paste quote...but beauty was beauty. She wasn’t trying to out do a youthful high school girl as seen in the manga comics, but she didn’t want to be mistaken as the Wicked Witch of the West – you know what she means?

However, it seems she wasn’t the only one to share such sentiment. Multiple voices barraged her from all angles.

“Out of the way skinny!”

“Excuse me aunty.”

“Would you so kindly move aside, I can’t reach!”

Tessa gasped when she was pushed aside like cattle, “Th-the nerve!”

A flock of moths flew to the flame. Specifically, a classy woman with a scarf, an old lady who held herself like a rich person, and a simple high school girl barged in and started picking at the exotic face masks that were neatly piled up. At this point, it looked like a pyramid was used in a wild game of Jenga amongst the gods.

People can be so rude these days! Tessa thought to herself. Worse, any one of them could be potential clients for her job! So it was obvious, she couldn’t voice her dissatisfaction to their faces!

“Excuse me,” Tessa spoke to the store attendant, “What else does this—”

“Hey, I saw her first!” Burst the old rich lady, shoving everyone aside, “Wait in line, skinny!”

Tessa Road was more than indignant at this point. Before she knew it, the others were all hounding after the store attendant’s attention, asking questions. Haggling the price even!? Oh come on, it’s on sale it can’t be--

“Dear god.” Tessa shoved her box back into the pile – she didn’t care if it didn’t fit the hole. “On sale my foot! I can buy a new 60 inch 4k smart TV with that kind of money. That’s it, I’m done. I’m going home.”

That is what she did. And she didn’t know if she was a magnet or some remote control. Every action she made, those rude group of women seem to gravitate towards her, all leaving with an unsatisfied scowl.

The store attendant sighed. It seems, it was her turn to have a bad day at work. She even had to sort out all those boxes that everyone.....Ah.

“E-excuse me! Wait!” The store attendant rushed over to chase after everyone! By the time she caught up to them, they were already halfway out of the store gate! “Sorry wait! Everyone, you can’t leave yet!”

“Wh-what? Why?” Tessa Roads retorted, “Wh-why are you blocking me as well? What did I do?”

“Sorry everyone,” the store attendant bowed, “I just did a count. There is a Kaoganai face mask that is missing. There may be a chance, it might be in your purses.”

“WHAT!? I WOULD NEVER!”

As if the day couldn’t get any worse, sigh. So unlucky.

Not like Tessa Roads was the type to run away when she was accused, but the feeling wasn’t good to sit with. Regardless, security guards were summoned by the beauty boutique and they tried to inspect each customer’s bag to check for it.

Tension rose when some people pulled out their phones, recording the events in live stream, and all putting their own spins of what was going on.

Was it a Karen versus store? Or store abusing their security? Hundreds and thousands took one side and then the other, creating a fire storm on the internet.

This only served to make Tessa Roads’ mood even worse.

“What are the odds this would happen?” She muttered under her breath. She checked her watch on her wrist. Although she had a lot of time before her appointment with her boss, she was worried this charade would keep going. “C-can you guys speeds things up, like just a smidge!?”

After one search after another. The security guards returned their results.

“N-nothing?” The store attendant gasped. “B-but I am sure one of the face mask box disappeared right after the ladies left.”

“A-are you seriously accusing your customers for stealing?” Tessa Roads snapped, unable to handle this anymore. “What kind of service are you even offering here? We are innocent! Now, where is your manager. I would like a stern talk to them!”

And that...was where Karen—Er, Tessa Roads screwed up.