Her striking, green eyes were surrounded by thick, dark lashes, so eye liner and mascara weren’t as important. Her full lips needed no further definition, and her high cheekbones didn’t need to make her look perpetually flushed by using blush. Her lightly-but-naturally tanned skin was also flawless save for a few moles and a couple of freckles here and there and for the large burn scar on her leg that she kept covered constantly.
She didn’t need people constantly staring at that intense imperfection, and she didn’t want to feel like she should tell people what had happened. It was none of their business. The only people that knew what had happened were her father, her best friend, the person who did it, and herself. Most people didn’t even know it existed at all because she was so adept at keeping it a secret.
Jia Li moved quickly along the campus. The dark clouds would seem ominous to most, but they were welcome to her, and they didn’t deter her. She leaped into trees only to step from another one a short distance away. Her destination was a place to get breakfast for the day. It didn’t have to be healthy, but she wanted something warm to drink because it was a bit chilly this morning.
Coffee wasn’t her thing, but she leapt from the small tree near the Caribou Coffee shop because they were quick, and they made a delicious hot chocolate. Besides, they did the whole Rainforest Alliance thing, and anyone who wanted to make their stuff environmentally friendly was good in her mind. Saving trees was a big part of her life.
She stepped through the doors, moving straight to the counter. Before she ordered, she perused their food options. The Reduced Fat Cranberry Orange Scone caught her eye, and she chose that and a small, dark chocolate with soy milk rather than cow’s milk. She didn’t really like taking things from animals, especially when she couldn’t be sure if they were willing to give it or not. Usually, they were forced into the process.
Jia noticed a guy sitting by the window where she usually liked to sit, so she could gaze outside at the sky or at the people moving through their routines. She wasn’t really a trusting sort of person, but she saw no issues with meeting new people. After all, this was a very public place, and most wouldn’t dare try to force her into anything when anyone could watch and stop it or call the police.
This person looked older than her, but he seemed to have kind eyes, so she took a chance on this stranger. “Do you mind if I sit at this table with you?” Jia asked softly with a smile that was just as soft, not wishing to interrupt him too boisterously. He did seem to be enjoying his drink after all, and if he preferred privacy, she could always sit somewhere else.