░▐ ‵‵☸↪ ᒥ AMANDA ᒣ ↙↙ ▁▁▪▪ YEARNING╎♥╎

After years of countless remarks and crude drawings of pigs sporting blonde hair at the orphanage, it went without saying that Amanda would eventually hate looking at herself in the mirror... when she would only be met with the very sight of her own reflection that she came to hate so much. 

Even as a woman of eighteen years, Amanda was still considered pudgelike and considerably less attractive than other girls... in other words, ugly. It was out of pity that the tailor of Del Floria's employed her as an apprentice in the first place, but regardless, Amanda still happened to be thankful.

There wasn't a day that gone by where she hadn't worked hard at threading and sewing fabrics together, including pieces of divine and authentic silk that she would normally be very lucky in even getting her hands on, if it weren't for Madame Lina. 

"Amanda, keep at it, you hear?"

"Y-Yes ma'am!"

It would always end up like this, but she didn't mind so much, even if the days were dull and the only things to distract herself during breaks were listening to daily gossip from customers and staring longingly at dresses set out on display. But regardless, Amanda knew that such expensive and beautiful clothes would never be wasted on such a fairly plump body like hers, so she could only keep dreaming.

Still, the blonde was quite lonely, and sometimes, it would have taken all of her to just keep going and view her entire future in a positive outlook. Besides, when it came down to it, her situation could be a whole lot worse - at the very least, she got paid by Madame Lina who had the fortune of being kind.

What she didn't plan was falling in love... especially with a handsome, young man that happened to be way out of her league.

Amanda would often notice how [Name] would come into their shop during the late afternoons, a pattern that she came to quickly and mentally acknowledge inside of her head. Before long, it became a daily routine of hers to quickly drop the brush she was adjusting her hair with in order to send the male a weak smile of her own.

The fact [Name] would always grin back made Amanda's heart flutter inside of her chest. Of course, that feeling never lasted for long, since his attention would soon drift off towards Madame Lina, who will shortly direct him to the different types of cloths before proceeding to take his measurements. 

Though she held nothing against the woman, Amanda was secretly jealous... to the point where she would beat up a doll she made of her in the room upstairs. Matters weren't made any better, by how the two would be seen gazing at her every now and then, when they thought she wasn't looking.

 As if Amanda didn't know they were talking about her behind her back! She honestly grew bitter, yet sad at the same time.

It was foolish to think that [Name] would ever spare her a second glance.

Amanda heaved out a sigh, as she brought yet another unfinished sweater down onto the countertop. As of currently, it was already getting dark out. Judging from the time on the clock, she really needed to get home soon and finish the article of clothing at a later date.

The moment she arose to her feet, however, Madame Lina's face came poking around the corner. "Ah... perfect timing! Amanda! Do you have a moment, by any chance?" She inquired, causing Amanda to jump a bit. "Huh? Why, of course..." The blonde gradually nodded and timidly padded over. "I-Is there something you need, ma'am?" she nervously questioned, while wondering what it was that the woman had called her over for.

Madame Lina, on the other hand, just shook her head, and by that time, Amanda already recognized the fact she was holding something behind her back. She was about to ask her what it had been, but figured it would be rude of her to be so nosy. "Well... you know that [Name] fellow?" Madame Lina asked in hushed tones, as she glanced suspiciously around them, as though searching for those who might overhear their conversation.

Amanda bit her bottom lip, in the hopes that it wouldn't be what she thought it was. "Don't tell him or anybody I said this, but [Name] had been wanting to date you for so long now. When I was around with him, most of what he could talk about was you! Goodness! It was really beginning to be that troublesome, since it seems that the only reason he came here nowadays is to see you... to think that the clothes are just an excuse!" Madame Lina huffed, and sure enough, Amanda could only stare incredulously. 

"Wh-Wh-What? Are you sure? M-Me? But..." The blonde stammered. She could hardly believe every single word her mentor was saying! How could that [Name] be interested in her of all people? "Apparently, he really thinks you're cute." Madame Lina deadpanned. "Anyway, before I forget, this admirer of yours asked me to give you this today." She handed out a letter with a heart seal on it and walked away at last. "Make sure to have plenty of rest for tomorrow!"

Needless to say, Amanda just stood there, stunned. At long last, however, she finally brought herself to open the letter, and nearly had to stop herself from squealing in much suppressed excitement. Now, all she had to do was think about what to wear on that special day! For the first time in a while, Amanda could happily skip out of Del Floria's in high spirits, and as the darkness pressed down on her, one could just make out the kiss imprint on the parchment next to [Name]'s name.