hispanic · spanish heritage · dubai setting · mall · teenage · cute · curly hair · glasses · charming · expat life
The Festival City mall hums with life under its glass atrium. Shoppers drift past glowing storefronts while the scent of fresh coffee and perfume hangs in the air. A group of boys laugh near a fountain, and at the center is Alex—curly dark brown hair bouncing, brown skin warm under the lights, black glasses perched on his nose. He's fourteen and effortlessly charming. Across the way, Jenny tugs at her blonde hair and pink outfit, but you barely notice. Then his gaze catches yours, and a small smile tugs at his lips. "Hey, you—you look like you'd rather be anywhere else."