I picked up the cup, filled it with water, and started brushing my teeth. I didn’t nce at Effie once, but I could feel her eyes on me the entire time. She was eyeing me up and down, then back again.


    “Zoe, this is Effie,” Holly suddenly introduced.


    With toothpaste in my mouth, I just nodded toward Effie.


    She had a round face, not exactly fat, wearing a floral dress with makeup, clearly someone who took time with her


    appearance.


    “Effie, this is the Zoe you wanted to see. See how fresh she looks? I wasn’t wrong, was I?” Holly said, still busy washing clothes by hand.


    When Effie locked eyes with me, I saw a flicker of insecurity, but she wouldn’t admit it. Instead, she said, “Well, she’s young, of course she’s fresh. I wasn’t so bad when I was her age.”


    Holly rolled her-eyes, and Effie gave her a sharp look. Their silent battle was almostical.


    After I finished brushing, Effie finally spoke, “Miss Kemp, are you here visiting family or just taking a vacation?”


    “Just ying around.” I turned off the tap and started rinsing the toothbrush cup.


    “By yourself? No boyfriend with you?” she asked, and I couldn’t help butugh.


    “I’m single,” I said with a grin.


    Her face instantly soured.


    “Well, Josh’s interested in you. He even asked me to help set things up. Don’t you think you two would make a good couple?” Holly added, always ying matchmaker.


    Effie’s lips twitched, and she muttered, “With her beauty, I doubt she will ever set her eyes on Josh, who’s always so rough.”


    It was a surprise for her to admit my beauty, and I’d take it as apliment.


    Holly nced at me. “So, Zoe, you really dreamt of marrying Josh, huh?”


    “…Yes,” I replied, feeling awkward.


    At that, Effie was silenced. Her eyes shot daggers at me, and then she hissed, “Miss Kemp, just so you know, Josh is mine. Keep your hands off him.”


    I casually flicked a lock of hair over my shoulder. “Oh? So, you two… have you slept together?”


    Her face instantly turned crimson, and I couldn’t help but picture Holly’s words from earlier-how Josh had tossed her out like a piece of trash.


    “Since you haven’t slept together, aren’t dating, and definitely haven’t gotten married, then what’s it to you if I’m with him? It’s none of your business.” I didn’t hold back.


    Effie had nothing more to say. She red at me for a while before shooting a dirty look at Holly and storming off.


    *I’ve never seen anyone so shameless. Honestly, she’s embarrassing the rest of us women,” Holly muttered, clicking her tongue as she twisted the clothes to hang them up.


    “Holly, let me help,” I offered, stepping forward.


    The clothes were hung on a thin steel wire in the yard. When I hadn’t been paying attention, but now that they were hanging, I noticed Josh’s green tank top among them.


    I couldn’t help but picture him wearing it while washing his hair, muscles taut. My face suddenly felt a little warm…


    I didn’t see Josh the rest of the day, or even the next. I asked Holly about him, and she said he’de back but left again.


    I had a feeling he was avoiding me on purpose. I thought, ‘Could it be because I rejected him? But why should I care?’


    I didn’t dwell on it. By the third day, I had gotten used to life on this little street. The afternoon market was always lively, with stores lining both sides of the street-so full of life and energy.


    Even if I didn’t need anything, I’d still take a walk, picking up some fruit or vegetables.


    Today, the apples at the market looked especially good, so I bought one: But as I was almost home, my foot suddenly slipped, as if I’d stepped on something.


    With a sharp pain in my ankle, I tilted sideways, and was about to fall when, in a sh, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist.